Planning Whitening Treatments Before the Big Day

You have a big event coming up and you want your teeth to look their dazzling best.

You also have a to-do list a mile long, right?

So, when is the best time to schedule an appointment with your dentist for teeth whitening treatments? The answer depends on several different factors. Here are some tips for taking the guesswork out of this important step in the planning of your wedding, vacation or other big occasion.

Which Foods and Drinks Will Stain Teeth?

Having an attractive smile is something pretty much everyone wants, right? And people will often go to extremes to make sure their teeth stay pearly white. From expensive whitening treatments to even more expensive veneers, there are plenty of avenues for achieving a bright, white smile. However, if you want to avoid having to shell out thousands of dollars for dental enhancements that eliminate or hide stains, you can be proactive by avoiding the following foods and drinks.

Oil Pulling - Is it really good for your dental health?

If you've been paying attention to popular media, you'll probably recall the oil pulling craze that everyone was talking about earlier this year. As with most social media topics, oil pulling was in the forefront of people's news feeds and even the subject of debate among some health professionals, but the hype has already died down quite a bit. Still, there are those who swear by it and continue to claim that this ancient holistic method works wonders, aiding in everything from teeth whitening to allergy relief.

But is oil pulling really all it's cracked up to be? While we can't necessarily discount the potential benefits of oil pulling, as dental professionals we can say that this practice is NOT a substitute for the traditional dental hygiene methods recommended by the American Dental Association (ADA). These methods include daily brushing and flossing as well as regular yearly dental cleanings, oral cancer screenings and using ADA-accepted products.

Enjoy a Brighter Smile with Teeth Whitening

With the holidays fast approaching there will likely be an abundance of gatherings with friends, family, and co-workers. Will you be ready to smile and say "cheese" for all those photo-ops?

For adults, years of tobacco use, coffee and tea consumption plus the side effects of certain medications can make teeth look dull and stained. If your smile has lost its luster, you may have considered some of the new over-the-counter whitening products. Although drugstore whitening kits are ok, professional treatments are much better, for a variety of reasons. At Implant & General Dentistry in Raleigh, Dr. Simon Melcher and his staff can use professional teeth whitening treatments help make your smile its very best!

Since you only have one set of grown-up teeth, it's a good idea not to take any chances with your dental health. Before making any attempts to whiten the teeth, it is always advised to have a thorough check-up with a dental professional. Having a preliminary exam is important because should whitening agents be used when there are existing issues, such as cavities or cracks, other problems may arise. In other words, proceeding with a whitening regime before have a dental checkup is like putting the cart before the horse.

Another concern is that over-the-counter kits that claim to whiten the teeth can possibly damage your tooth enamel. This occurs when these types of over the counter products are used too often. Oxygen radicals in the stain removers can cause the pores of the teeth to open, which can jeopardize the health of the enamel.

Lots of whitening kits only address the front teeth and leave the back teeth out. Have you every seen anyone who has whitened just their front teeth? If they knew a line of demarcation was present, they would definitely allow their dentist to tackle the job! In addition to having better access to a patient's entire set of teeth, a dental professional is also able to employ the use of specialized lighting and magnification tools When you have the whitening done by a skilled professional, such as Dr. Melcher, your whites will match!

So, if your smile is not as brilliant as you would like, make your appointment early - the holidays will be here before we know it!  Call us today at 919-782-0548.

3 Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening

Having clean, glistening white teeth is certainly something to smile about! However, for many adults, years of staining caused by coffee, tea, smoking, and certain medications, can dull even the most perfect teeth. There are a number of products that claim to whiten the teeth in just a few days or even overnight. Although it may be tempting to try one of these methods on your own, the best choice is to seek the advice of your dentist. Here are 3 benefits you'll gain when choosing a dental professional to whiten your teeth:

1. Before beginning any whitening regime, it is advised that a thorough check-up by your dentist or dental hygienist take place. If untreated cavities or undetected cracks are present, efforts to whiten the teeth can exacerbate the problem. When a professional who is familiar with your individual situation takes care of the
whitening process, you'll have piece of mind in knowing that your dental health will not be jeopardized.

2. Sometimes the frequent use of over the counter whitening kits can cause the pores of the tooth enamel to open. This is due to the presence of oxygen radicals that are typically contained in stain removal products.  Avoid potential damage and pain by allowing your dental professional take care of brightening your smile!

3. Would you try to mix up your own paint color for your home or would you visit a paint store for assistance? Matching the subtle color variations in your teeth can be tricky. Due to individual tint differences in each of your teeth, it is quite difficult to get perfect results on your own. When a dental professional is able to employ the use of specialized lighting and magnification tools, you'll know that your whites match!

Please contact the Implant and General Dentistry in Raleigh to schedule a consultation for teeth whitening today! 919-782-0548

Will Bleaching Damage My Teeth?

A bright, white smile is a great asset. It makes you look healthy and improves your confidence. But many people are nervous about getting their teeth whitened, mainly due the fear of putting any sort of chemical in their mouth. While this is an understandable concern, we want our patients to know that dental bleaching is a safe procedure that should NOT damage their teeth.

Here's how it works: When carbamide peroxide (the active whitening agent) comes in contact with water, hydrogen peroxide is released which whitens the teeth. Bleaching does not soften, demineralize or weaken the teeth, as many people presume.

Of course, bleaching may not be a good choice for every patient. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not have their teeth bleached. Patients with active cavities or gum disease also should avoid whitening - at least until the other issues are resolved.

For more information on teeth whitening services in Raleigh, contact us today at 919-782-0548.

Teeth Whitening Treatments in Raleigh NC

Everyone wants a bright, white smile. Unfortunately it can be tough to keep your pearly whites from getting dingy, dull or yellowed.

Even with proper dental hygiene, many factors can affect the color of your teeth. Drinking coffees and sodas, smoking and even some medications can cause tooth discoloration.

By avoiding tobacco use, cutting back on food or drinks that stain your teeth and maintaining a healthy dental hygiene routine, you can avoid further discoloration. Keep in mind, however, that these practices alone won't necessarily give you the ultra white smile you so often see in magazines or television. If that's what you're looking for, you may need to consult your dentist about teeth whitening agents.

At our Raleigh NC office, we offer simple in-house teeth whitening treatments that are fast and effective. We also offer a range of over the counter products that can be used at home; however these methods will not work as quickly or dramatically as the procedures done in our office.

To learn more about teeth whitening in Raleigh NC, visit TheRaleighDentists.com or call us today at (919) 782-0548.

Smile Gallery - See How We Can Transform Your Smile

Visit our Smile Gallery at TheRaleighDentists.com to see how our dental treatments can transform your smile!  You'll see before and after photos of the treatments so you can really get an idea of the difference this dental work can make for your health and appearance.

From teeth whitening to veneers and implants, Dr, Simon Melcher has the knowledge, experience, and resources to give you a whiter, brighter, and healthier smile.  Give us a call today to schedule your appointment: (919) 782-0548.

Video - Dental Treatments at Implant and General Dentistry, Raleigh NC

Dr. Simon Melcher at Implant and General Dentistry in Raleigh NC offers the following dental treatments for routine and cosmetic dentistry:Teeth Cleaning, Teeth Whitening, Implants, Dentures, Veneers, Bonding, Bridges, Crowns, Fillings, Inlays and Outlays.

Please request an appointment online or call us directly at (919) 782-0548.

Teeth Whitening Treatments at our Raleigh NC Office

Teeth Whitening is a popular cosmetic procedure at Implant & General Dentistry in Raleigh, NC.  Patients who are interested in teeth whitening have a few options. 

1. We can recommend over-the-counter whitening agents.  These products, however, will not whiten your teeth as quickly or as effectively as treatments delivered at our office.
2. Some whitening procedures are done in our office with one visit.
3. Additional use of the whitening treatment will produce improved results.

The procedure for in-house teeth whitening is demonstrated with descriptive photos here: Teeth Whitening, Raleigh NC.  Soft transparent trays are filled with the whitening gel.  The trays fit tightly over your teeth and are worn for the prescribed time, overnight or during the day.  Additional treatments produce improved results.

Some of the teeth whitening brands we offer and recommend at our Raleigh NC Dentist office include: Bravo, Brite Smile, Day White Excel 3, Night White Excel 3, NuproGold, Xtra Boost, Zoom, and Zoom 2.

To inquire further about teeth whitening treatments at Implant and General Dentistry in Raleigh, please request an appointment or call us at (919) 782-0548.