Tag: Teeth Whitening

The Truth Behind Teeth Whitening: Debunking Common Myths

Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dental procedures, promising a brighter, more confident smile. However, with its popularity comes a slew of myths and misconceptions that can mislead patients. To help you make informed decisions, we’ve debunked some of the most common teeth-whitening myths.

Myth 1: Teeth Whitening Damages Enamel

One of the most pervasive myths is that teeth whitening can harm enamel. When performed correctly and using professional products, teeth whitening is safe and does not damage the enamel. Professional whitening treatments are designed to be safe and effective. Over-the-counter products, when used as directed, are also generally safe. However, overuse or misuse of whitening products can lead to sensitivity, so it’s essential to consult your dentist.

Myth 2: Baking Soda is a Safe and Effective Whitening Agent

Many believe brushing with baking soda is a natural and safe way to whiten teeth. While baking soda can help remove surface stains due to its abrasive nature, it doesn’t change the color of your teeth. Overusing baking soda can wear down enamel, leading to sensitivity and an increased risk of cavities.

Myth 3: Whitening Toothpaste is Sufficient

Whitening toothpaste can help remove surface stains, but it doesn’t contain the same concentration of whitening agents as professional treatments. These toothpastes are good for maintaining your whitened teeth. In-office professional treatments use stronger bleaching agents that penetrate deeper into the tooth enamel to remove intrinsic stains without wearing off the enamel.

Myth 4: Once You Whiten Your Teeth, They Will Stay White Forever

Teeth whitening is not a permanent solution. Your teeth can still become stained from foods, drinks, and habits such as smoking. The longevity of your results depends on your lifestyle and oral hygiene practices. Regular dental check-ups, good oral hygiene, and avoiding staining foods and drinks can help maintain your whiter smile for a longer period.

Myth 5: All Teeth Whitening Products are the Same

A wide variety of teeth-whitening products are available, from over-the-counter strips and gels to professional in-office treatments. Not all products are created equal. Professional treatments provided by a dentist are generally more effective and safer as they are applied under professional supervision. Over-the-counter products can be convenient and less expensive, but they may not be suitable for everyone, especially those with sensitive teeth or gums.

Myth 6: Teeth Whitening Works on All Types of Discoloration

Teeth whitening is most effective on yellowish stains caused by aging, coffee, tea, and smoking. However, it may not be as effective on brown or gray discoloration or stains caused by medication or dental trauma. Other cosmetic treatments like veneers or bonding might be more suitable. It’s essential to have a consultation with a dental expert to determine the best course of action for your specific type of discoloration.

Conclusion

Teeth whitening can be a safe and effective way to enhance your smile, but it’s important to separate fact from fiction. Always consult a professional before starting any whitening regimen to ensure it’s the right choice for you. If you have any questions or are considering teeth whitening, contact our Bravo! Dental office to schedule a consultation. We’re here to help you achieve the smile of your dreams!

What is the difference between teeth whitening and teeth bleaching


When it comes to dentistry, one of the most common desires is a brighter smile. “Teeth whitening” or “teeth bleaching” can promise whiter, brighter teeth. However, have you ever wondered what is the difference between teeth bleaching and teeth whitening? It may appear small, but according to the American Dental Association (ADA), there is a significant difference. 

Teeth whitening: It is the procedure of restoring the natural color of teeth by eliminating stains from the tooth. Whiteners are cleansing chemicals that are available in some toothpastes and mouthwashes. 

Teeth bleaching: Bleaching teeth refers to lightening their natural color. Bleaching substances commonly used in teeth-bleaching techniques include hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. 

Methods of teeth whitening 

  • Whitening toothpaste and mouthwashes. 
  • Over-the-counter whitening kits. 
  • Professional teeth whitening treatments. 

Methods of teeth bleaching 

  • In-office professional bleaching. 
  • At-home bleaching kits with higher concentrations of bleaching agents. 
  • Custom-made bleaching trays. 

What should I choose? 

The choice between teeth whitening and teeth bleaching depends on various factors. Here are a few considerations to help you make an informed decision: 

Severity of Tooth Discoloration: If you have mild to moderate stains or surface discoloration, teeth whitening methods, such as whitening toothpaste or over-the-counter whitening kits, may be sufficient to achieve your desired results. However, teeth-bleaching treatments might be more suitable if you have deep stains or more severe discoloration that persist despite whitening attempts. 

Desired Results: Teeth whitening generally focuses on removing surface stains and restoring the natural color of your teeth. This method offers subtle improvements and is ideal if you’re looking for a more natural result. On the other hand, teeth bleaching can provide more noticeable whitening effects and lighten your teeth’ shade beyond their natural color. Teeth bleaching may be the better option if you desire a significant transformation and a brighter, whiter smile. 

Budget: Teeth whitening options like whitening toothpaste or over-the-counter kits are typically more budget-friendly than teeth bleaching treatments. Consider your budget and weigh it against the desired outcome to determine which option aligns better with your financial situation. However, make sure that you opt for the right treatment, as dental care is worth the investment. 

Professional Guidance: Teeth whitening methods are generally safe for most individuals when used as directed. They can be easily incorporated into your oral care routine without professional supervision. However, teeth bleaching, especially in-office treatments or using stronger at-home bleaching kits, requires professional guidance to ensure safe and optimal results. If you opt for teeth bleaching, it’s recommended to consult a dental professional who can evaluate your oral health and guide you through the process. 

Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your specific needs, preferences, and the advice of a dental professional. Consulting with our dental experts at Bravo! Dental can provide valuable insights into the condition of your teeth and help you make an informed decision about the most suitable method for achieving your desired brighter smile.

Top 5 Benefits of Opalescence Boost Teeth Whitening

The teeth whitening procedure is just like any other makeovers are. There are many products on the market that your dentist might advise using or suggest an in-office whitening treatment. In addition to gorgeous, long-lasting white teeth, teeth whitening has numerous benefits. 

Many times, over-the-counter whitening strips, toothpaste, and trays may not produce the favored results. Opalescence Boost whitening is the perfect solution for you in such circumstances. 

Opalescence Boost is an in-office whitening treatment that has a chemically activated gel that provides brighter, whiter teeth in an hour. The powerful 40% hydrogen peroxide gel is chemically activated, so it doesn’t require a hot light to work and has less relapses.  

Why choose the Opalescence Boost teeth whitening method? 

As you’ve seen, drinking red wine, smoking, coffee, tea, and other caffeinated beverages can cause teeth to become discolored. Of course, age is also a contributing factor. 

Opalescence Boost teeth whitening method is said to have commendable advantages for those who struggle with teeth discoloration. Using the unique double-syringe configuration, the dentist activates the 40% hydrogen peroxide formula just prior to application, ensuring every dose of Opalescence Boost whitening is fresh and effective. 

Benefits of Opalescence Boost   teeth whitening 

Here is a list of the major 5 benefits of Opalescence boost; 

It’s simple and faster  

Opalescence Boost whitening doesn’t require a lengthy procedure for teeth whitening. The active whitening part of the treatment can be completed in under an hour. It takes around an hour and twenty minutes, including prep and cleanup. It is no doubt Opalescence boost teeth whitening can whiten your teeth quickly and easily.   

It’s ideal for sensitive teeth 

You don’t have to give up on Opalescence Boost whitening if you have sensitive teeth.  Fluoride and potassium nitrate in Opalescence Boost helps to strengthen the enamel and keep peroxide out of the tubules of the teeth, specially formulated not to irritate your teeth or gums thus, preventing sensitivity. 

It contains high water content  

Many whitening solutions on the market dry teeth, causing patients to experience painful sensitivity. Opalescence Boost teeth whitening kit contains at least 20% water, preventing dehydration. 

It’s more effective 

Even though there are many over-the-counter options for teeth whitening, choosing professional treatment yields better results because it is more effective. Opalescence Boost averages an eight-shade change delivering better results than many competitors. Over time, many over-the-counter teeth-whitening products contain ingredients that can damage your tooth enamel and increase your sensitivity. Fortunately, your smile will be noticeably whiter after just one treatment, thanks to Opalescence Boost teeth whitening! 

It is available with an easy home use product 

Although Opalescence Boost teeth whitening is an effective tooth whitening treatment, many patients also prefer and benefit from the home use simple product Opalescence Go. Opalescence Go teeth whitening trays help you achieve the goal of whiter teeth over several days rather than one hour, or use it on a regular basis to maintain the whitened teeth after Boost.  

Opalescence Boost teeth whitening’s advantages are extremely effective, feasible and simple. With our expert assistance, you can achieve the best results. You can always look for teeth whitening expertise from our dental professionals at Bravo! Dental to provide the right treatment for you and help you get rid of your tooth discoloration or stains. 

5 Major benefits of professional teeth whitening

A stunning smile has the power to brighten not just your day, but everyone else’s as well.  

In a nationwide poll by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, 96% of adults said they thought a person’s friendly smile attracted people. 

But, a not-so-aesthetic smile? Can make even the brightest day, dismal. 

Even if you follow a proper dental hygiene regimen, teeth aging can naturally result in tooth discoloration. This occurs as dental enamel thinning exposes the naturally yellow underlying dentin. 

Teeth whitening offers a quick & highly effective way to improve your appearance if discoloration has taken a toll on your teeth. Professional teeth whitening, as opposed to DYI teeth whitening treatments, may deliver astonishing results by lightening both the tooth enamel and the underlying dentin. 

How Effective Is Professional Tooth Whitening? 

Your dentist will note the color of your teeth as they are right now before you begin treatment. Your teeth are then treated to remove plaque and other surface debris. 

After that, the dentist paints a whitening solution on the teeth’s surface, commonly containing hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. For optimum results, the peroxide in many whitening treatments must be activated by a laser for 30 to 60 minutes. Your teeth is generally washed after that, and fluoride may be used to lessen sensitivity. 

Clean out stains 

Stains can be caused by the food you consume or from brushing and flossing your teeth incorrectly. The whitening treatments utilized are made to dissolve and lighten these stains to the point where they are no longer noticeable. 

Reliable treatments 

You never know what you’re getting when you purchase a teeth whitening kit from the shop or whether the product is healthy for your teeth or not. In-office teeth whitening, on the other hand is more dependable, and you can relax knowing that your teeth are in competent hands. 

Early results 

Professional teeth whitening can completely transform your smile in an hour compared to home whitening procedures. It’s great that you won’t have to wait weeks to notice a change in how your teeth look! The guaranteed results are one of the advantages of having teeth whitening done in a dentist’s office. 

Eliminates bacteria 

Many whitening treatments are made to eliminate germs that might cause gum disease and tooth decay. You are actively protecting your dental health when you whiten your teeth. 

Better appearance 

A new smile may completely transform your appearance. You may appear more youthful, and wrinkles or other flaws in the skin wouldn’t matter. So why wouldn’t you if you could make your teeth whiter and appear better overall? 

Teeth whitening is a great way to enhance your smile, increase your confidence, and give you a happier, healthier impression. 

Today, seeing the dentist is all it takes to achieve the smile you’ve always wanted. You’ll feel fantastic about your new look. The professionals at Bravo! Dental are ready to help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted with your teeth. 

Look forward to better days again! 

Crooked Teeth: Causes, Concerns, and Treatments

A crooked smile or a grin with missing front teeth might add to the cuteness factor as a kid. But, as we grow up, it might not be so adored. We may not wish we didn’t have crooked teeth until later in life when we begin to feel self-conscious about our smile or have problems chewing or biting.

Some people are indifferent about this, but crooked teeth can lead to various oral health problems and other difficulties if left untreated. Even if enhancing your appearance isn’t your top priority, seeing an orthodontist about your misaligned teeth might save you a lot of future health problems and expenses.

Crooked Teeth: What Causes Them?

A misalignment between the teeth’ size and the jaw’s size is a common cause of crooked teeth. Many people are genetically predisposed to having crooked teeth. However, it can be caused by a variety of non-genetic factors as well, including:

Sucking your thumb: While a thumb-sucking newborn may be adorable, the results are not! Teeth typically grow crooked due to the thumb’s persistent pressure on still-growing gums. The usage of a pacifier excessively might lead to the same issue.

Baby teeth prematurely fallen: Early tooth loss might cause other teeth to migrate into the gap, crowding the region where a permanent tooth will ultimately emerge.

Tongue thrusting: When swallowing, if you force your tongue on your teeth instead of the roof of your mouth, it might cause crooked teeth.

Mouth or jaw trauma: The most severe misaligned teeth are frequently caused by facial trauma. The remaining teeth will most likely slide into that free area if teeth are lost, or the jaw is moved due to injury.

Crooked Teeth: What are the possible treatments?

Misalignment of the teeth can occur at any age. If identified early, these flaws can be readily remedied with treatments such as braces, headgear, cosmetic dentistry, or clear aligners.

Invisalign Treatment: Invisalign is a type of brace that employs transparent aligners custom-made to fit over your teeth. Is it possible to straighten crooked teeth using Invisalign? Absolutely.

Veneers: If you merely have misaligned front teeth that aren’t causing you any health problems, a cosmetic solution like dental veneers might help. The best aspect is that veneers only take a few weeks to apply instead of the months it might take to straighten teeth with braces.

Cosmetic Dentistry: For somewhat misaligned teeth, veneers, dental bonding, and crowns are three cosmetic dentistry choices. While these solutions do not correct crooked teeth, they can improve their appearance by appearing straight.

Dental bonding: Bonds can be used to cover a portion of a tooth’s front surface, whereas veneers cover the full front surface. Dental bonding is less expensive and takes one clinical visit only. Bonds can also be reversed.

Dental Crowns: This operation begins with tooth reshaping, followed by placing a porcelain or metal crown on top of the tooth. Most of the time, dental crowns are exclusively utilized for restorative purposes.

If you’re content with the way your teeth appear now, there’s no need to straighten them. Perhaps your crooked teeth contribute to the charm of your smile.

But, Crooked teeth, aren’t always amusing. They can cause substantial discomfort and impair your dental health. Book your appointment at Bravo Dental now online or call us at 1-888-682-7286 today if you want to set the record straight.

It’s not too late to have the smile of your dreams!

All that you should know about Hyperdontia

Hyperdontia is a dental condition in which too many teeth develop in the mouth, or in other words when a person’s additional teeth grow around their existing teeth. ‘Supernumerary’ teeth, or additional teeth, does not only occur for adults but also for infants.

Some may feel it looks charming for many, but it can also cause discomfort and other problems.

The additional teeth are usually the same size and form in terms of appearance. However, they can occasionally appear in varied shapes and sizes. Hyperdontia is also twice as frequent in males as it is in females.

Extra teeth can be of many types:

Supplementary – Teeth are of regular size and form

Tuberculate – Teeth with a barrel shape

Conical – Teeth that are peg-shaped or pointed

Compound/complex odontoma – A cluster of teeth-like growths or a bulk of tooth-like tissue

Causes for Hyperdontia:

According to experts, the exact cause of this disorder is still unknown; however, it is thought to be linked to specific inherited problems. As a result, if you have hyperdontia, you are likely to have another ailment as well. Gardner’s syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome are two more frequent genetic disorders that may result in Hyperdontia. Hyperdontia is caused by a problem in the tooth formation malfunctioning. This issue is frequently simple and inexplicable. The inadequate cells proliferate during the formation of a new tooth, resulting in an “extra” tooth.

Risks faced due to Hyperdontia:

Supernumerary teeth might overlap, making it harder for those with Hyperdontia to properly clean their teeth and gums. This may result in certain gum diseases. While some people may never encounter oral health concerns as a result of their extra teeth, others may experience issues such as:

  • Malocclusion
  • Tooth decay
  • Gum diseases
  • Impacted teeth
  • Aesthetic concerns
  • Crowded or crooked teeth
  • Problems with teeth sprouting in a regular pattern
  • Food chewing issues
  • Speaking difficulties
  • Pain and inflammation

Treatment for Hyperdontia:

Hyperdontia cannot be prevented as hereditary disorders mainly cause it, but you can recognize the indications early and seek treatment to avoid as many issues as possible.

If your permanent teeth have been impacted by the extra teeth, causing them to grow crookedly, you may require orthodontic therapy to straighten them out. Invisible aligners are a good option for minor changes, but you’ll definitely need conventional braces if your teeth are rotated or your bite has been impacted.

Extraction is the most common treatment for Hyperdontia. However, some people may require orthodontic therapy to rectify malocclusion or other alignment concerns after tooth extraction. Traditional braces, which may address mild to severe alignment difficulties, are frequently the best option for such problems.

Talk to our dental experts at Bravo Dental today to understand the impact of hyperdontia on your teeth.

Top 7 tooth whitening methods to bring back your sparkling smile 

Tooth whitening is a safe and effective approach to bring out the natural colour of your teeth without affecting any of the enamel. It won’t drastically change the colour of your teeth, but it will remove that dullness that’s killing the charm of your smile!   

People with healthy teeth and gums without any fillings are ideal for teeth whitening. Individuals with yellow teeth get the highest results. However, this cosmetic operation is not for everyone.   

There are a lot of reasons why you would want to whiten your teeth. Everyone person is unique in the way they look, and your teeth are no exception in making you stand out. Just as our hair and skin colours differ, so do our teeth. But teeth essentially react the same way to certain elements.  

There are various elements to look out for: drinks like tea, coffee, and red wine can stain the surface of your teeth. Smoking can darken the teeth. The appearance of your teeth might also be affected by tartar.   

Methods of Teeth Whitening:   

In-Office Bleaching: Teeth whitening by a trained professional produces amazing effects. This procedure is usually done in a dental clinic and takes only a little more than an hour. Although, in-office bleaching is more expensive, the instant effects of the procedure can make this more than gratifying.   

Tray-based Whitener: Tray-based whitening systems involve filling a mouth guard-like apparatus with a gel whitening solution containing a peroxide bleaching agent and wearing it for a period of time. It can take a few hours to four weeks to show results. Custom-made trays from your dentist can be crafted to suit your teeth perfectly. If your trays don’t fit properly, the bleaching agent may come into connection with your gums, irritating gum tissue and causing other oral hygiene problems.   

Whitening Toothpaste: Surface stains on your teeth can only be removed using whitening toothpaste. They contain abrasives, polishing agents, and chemical agents that help remove stains. Because the chemicals are finer than ordinary toothpaste, they do not cause significant tooth wear.   

Teeth-whitening strips: These over-the-counter whitening strips are relatively inexpensive, simple to use, and most of them work. Whitening strips are covered with a peroxide-based whitening gel and applied twice daily for 14 days, for 30 minutes each time. The effects last around four months.   

Whitening Gels: Whitening gels are clear, peroxide-based gels applied to the surface of your teeth with a tiny brush. The first results appear after a few days, and the final results last for roughly four months.   

Whitening Rinses: Whitening rinses, like other mouthwashes, refresh breath and help reduce dental plaque and gum. Because a rinse only comes into contact with the teeth for two minutes every day, it can take up to 12 weeks to generate results. It is usually less effective than other over-the-counter whitening treatments.   

Other Ways: Whitening chewing gum, dental floss, and mouthwashes are just a few of the new teeth whitening products these days. While these solutions are unique, there isn’t much information available about their effectiveness.   

If you’re still confused about which approach is ideal for you, see us at Bravo Dental, where our teeth whitening specialists can guide you on the best treatment that would suit your teeth.