The goal of good dentistry is to educate the patient that oral health is primary health. In other words, dental health is a precursor to total body health. Poor oral hygiene has been demonstrated to cause cardiovascular problems, low birth weight in infants, oral and systemic cancers, and problems with glycemic control in diabetes. Therefore, the goal of our practice is to prevent dental disease by educating our patients in good oral hygiene techniques and to maintain an active recare program to diagnosis and treat problems as they occur.
Excellence in dentistry begins with a careful co-diagnosis and treatment plan to establish the goals we will achieve together. Communication and long-term relationships are important to us. Let us know what is on your mind and ask questions. We will help you realize an investment in yourself pays dividends for a lifetime. We are caring, skilled professionals, dedicated to simplifying what is often a very complicated and confusing area of health care. We want all our patients to be informed and knowledgeable about their dental health care, from treatment plans and services, to insurance coverage.
We firmly believe that each patient is a unique person and we strive to customize treatment to help our patients achieve the highest quality of oral health. We look upon you, the patient, as a person of infinite worth. Through our care and concern, we will reaffirm that worth.
Theres no lack of home remedies for teeth whitening on the internet. However, did you know that many of the popular remedies you see on social media (like activated charcoal) can actually wear away your enamel?
Once you lose enamel, its gone for good, which is why its important to always ask our teeth whitening dentist in Troy, Michigan about safe ways to whiten teeth. Continue reading to learn the 3 myths about natural teeth whitening that can actually harm your smile.
While eating fruit is good for your health, you should never allow acidic fruit juice to sit on your teeth for prolonged periods of time. The acid in lemons and other fruits can wear away the outer layer of your teeth called enamel.
Lemon juice and baking soda do not safely whiten your teeth. Unlike toothpaste, baking soda is abrasive and will wear away your tooth enamel over time. Likewise, lemon juice is too acidic to sit on the surface of your teeth. Youre much better off using fluoridated toothpaste approved by the American Dental Association to strengthen enamel and whiten teeth.
Activated charcoal is a black powder made of peat, olive pits, coconut shells, slowly burned wood, and other natural ingredients. However, its important to remember that natural doesnt always mean healthy.
Theres no scientific evidence proving activated charcoal is safe or effective for teeth whitening. In fact, using abrasive scrubs can actually wear away the protective outer layer of your teeth and reveal the yellow dentin beneath. Once this happens, your teeth will actually look yellower, not whiter. You want to whiten your tooth enamel, not scrub it away.
Your dentist may lean more towards a peroxide, a fluoride, or a potassium nitrate (an active ingredient in Sensodyne) based treatment, but these arent the only options. Hydrogen peroxide is a common ingredient in whitening treatments used for its oxidizing ability. However, peroxide is the main suspect in whitening sensitivity making it an unlikely candidate for sensitive teeth whitening.
Oil pulling is the practice of swishing a teaspoon of edible oil (typically coconut) around your mouth to achieve white teeth. While proponents claim that oil pulling helps remove the bacteria responsible for plaque and tartar, theres currently no evidence to support this theory. While anecdotes can be compelling, they dont replace scientific evidence.
Its important to understand that many factors affect teeth whitening, such as smoking, eating staining foods, and neglecting oral health. While it may appear that oil pulling helps whiten teeth, the difference could be due to something simpler like reducing how much coffee you drink.
You should also see our Troy, MI dentist for a teeth cleaning and oral examination at least every 6 months. Following these recommendations will help remove plaque and tartar from the surface of your teeth, which helps your smile stay white.
Limit coffee, tea, and other staining foods that could dull your smile. You should also avoid using tobacco products to avoid staining your teeth over time. In the end, good oral hygiene habits make the best home remedies for whitening teeth.