Now is a very exciting time in the dental service industry! As patient needs evolve, so must techniques, instruments and technology. Within the next decade, it is expected that many new dental trends will emerge to provide better, more reliable care to all patients. Keep reading to learn what may become the new normal in the next 10 years. (more…)

In a recent poll, people were asked if they would choose a cosmetic makeover, liposuction, facelift, or teeth whitening if money was no object. 52% of those surveyed said they would choose teeth whitening. While there are many ways to whiten teeth, including professionally in the dental office, consumers are spending over $1 billion per year on over-the-counter (OTC) whitening products. People want whiter teeth because it makes them look better.

Almost all whitening products will lighten teeth to a certain extent because they all contain hydrogen peroxide or a derivative. The controlled environment of the dental office and the quality of the materials used usually provides the most predictable and most effective results. If you choose to use OTC products you may not get nearly the same result you would with having it professionally done. However, I will admit, I have seen some good results with certain OTC many products. Just beware – there are many gimmicks out there.

All forms of tooth whitening can have side effects, including gum irritation and sensitive teeth. These side effects are normal and usually subside once the treatment has stopped or shortly thereafter. We will often recommend the use of a “sensitive” toothpaste a month or so prior to starting whitening to help ward off tooth sensitivity. Another advantage to having it done professionally, is the support you have from the dental staff guiding you through the process. This makes the treatment faster and more effective.

The issue with overusing whitening products is the continuous assault of the pulp or nerve of the tooth through any exposed dentinal or root surface by the bleaching gel. If the whitening is causing tooth sensitivity it means the gel is affecting the pulp of the tooth in some way. In the short-term that’s usually not an issue and the pulp recovers. Whitening products should be used as an initial treatment, and then for occasional “touch-ups”.

In my experience, I have never seen permanent damage done to teeth if the whitening products are used properly. It is important to note that different kinds of teeth require different strengths of bleaching to get the desired result. These different “types” of teeth also have varying levels of sensitivity to the bleaching products.

Teeth in patients 30 and under, and teeth that are yellow in appearance, typically take less time to achieve the desired result. These teeth are also the most susceptible to the side effects of bleaching. People with recession are also more susceptible to sensitivity. This group will usually see great results with professional at-home tray whitening in about 2 weeks.

The older and darker teeth are, the more time it takes to lighten them and the less susceptible they are to side effects. For example, I treated a patient with severe staining due to tetracycline medication as a child who was told his teeth would not lighten all that much. He did at-home professionally monitored bleaching every night (or almost) for 9 consecutive months and got amazing results. That is atypical and should never be done without supervision.

There is nothing quite like a bright beautiful smile. The simple process of teeth bleaching can completely change a smile. There are some OTC products that are perfect for some patients as long as the included directions are followed. For those who have more bleach challenged teeth or want more predictable results, professional whitening is advised.

Teeth Whitening makes a great present too!

Dr. St. Clair maintains a private dental practice in Rowley and Newburyport dedicated to health-centered family dentistry. If there are certain topics you would like to see written about or questions you have please email them to him at jpstclair@stclairdmd.com. You can view all previously written columns at www.jpeterstclairdentistry.com/blog.

In the first segment of this series I discussed the role of caregivers in early dental care. Prevention starts as early as 6 months into pregnancy and continues with essential steps early in a child’s life. The second segment discussed dental care for children as they develop. In this final segment I will discuss easy prevention and maintenance steps to take to help ensure dental health for a lifetime.

As I stated a few weeks ago, in preventive-based dental practices we go far beyond saying to patients, “you need to brush and floss more.” We truly believe that dental disease, both dental caries (cavities) and gum disease, is very preventable. However, we recognize that not every individual is equal when it comes to susceptibility. Each person presents with their own unique genetic pool, good and bad habits, number and position of teeth, and willingness to truly make a change. The one constant is that most of us have room for improvement.

Here are 4 simple things that will help maintain dental health for a lifetime:

Professional Maintenance – It is easy to put professional hygiene visits on the backburner. We are pulled in many different directions in life, and the absence of pain in our mouths sometimes grants us permission to skip regular dental appointments. Some people will use the excuse of lack of insurance for not going on a regular basis. The most important thing you can do to prevent dental disease is to commit to a lifetime of professional dental visits. This is a choice. Your cell phone costs more per year than these visits will. Some people require four visits a year to maintain health and others may only require one. There are no set rules. However, it is up to you to make the commitment.

Home Care – Most people have significant room for improvement with their home care. Coaching, in anything, increases an individual’s potential for improvement. Think of us as your dental coach. We routinely ask patients to bring their toothbrushes with them to their appointments to review technique. As simple as it sounds, constant evaluation and improvement of your home care can only decrease your chances of dental disease.

Diet – What we put in our mouths, when we do it and how often are all choices as well. As with everything, some people can get away with things that others cannot. Decay rates are different for different people and can change during the course of a lifetime. This is an important topic to routinely discuss at regular visits.

Oral Appliances – This is in reference to any oral appliance typically worn while sleeping. This is another situation where absence of any symptoms sometimes allows us to ignore what is really going on. It is easy to get someone to wear an appliance in their mouth if they present with TMJ issues or headaches. On the other hand, it is often difficult to convince someone to routinely wear a nighttime appliance if they have no symptoms. For example, people who have had braces should be wearing retainers. People who have sleep apnea may have the option of wearing an oral appliance. However, those who have evidence of clenching and/or grinding are the most undertreated. It is my firm belief that if more people committed to unfailing routine use of a properly made nighttime appliance, many potential dental problems could be avoided.

I believe that most dental disease is preventable. What it takes to prevent dental disease in one person may very well not be the same for another. Choose and commit to these four things and you are guaranteed fewer dental problems over your lifetime.

Dr. St. Clair maintains a private dental practice in Rowley and Newburyport dedicated to health-centered family dentistry. If there are certain topics you would like to see written about or questions you have please email them to him at jpstclair@stclairdmd.com. You can view all previously written columns at www.jpeterstclairdentistry.com/blog.

In preventive-based dental practices we go far beyond saying to patients, “you need to brush and floss more.” We truly believe that dental disease, both dental caries (cavities) and gum disease, is very preventable. However, we recognize that not every individual is equal when it comes to susceptibility. Each person presents with their own unique genetic pool, good and bad habits, number and position of teeth, and willingness to truly make a change. The one constant is that most of us have room for improvement.

It goes without saying that preventive care includes regular visits to the dentist. Based on my experience, even many of those who visit the dentist on a regular basis have significant room for improvement. However, it is up to your caregivers, hygienists and dentists, to have that preventive frame of mind to go beyond just telling you to brush and floss more.

Technique is vital when it comes to home care. Although daily removal of plaque (the thin, sticky film of bacteria that creates cavities and gum disease) can be accomplished with a manual toothbrush, the proper power toothbrush is more appropriate and effective for most people. We routinely ask patients to bring their toothbrushes with them to their appointments to review technique. Think of your dentist and/or hygienist as your dental coach. Coaching, in anything, increases an individual’s potential for improvement.

The same approach goes for kids. Although we do the same thing with children, they need that additional coaching from home. The best way to guide your family to good oral health is to lead by example. Parents should supervise toothbrushing by children younger than age 8 to make sure they are doing a thorough job. This also goes for flossing. This is done until the child is consistently getting good homecare reports at dental visits.

The challenge of good home care increases with the addition of braces. Children and adults in braces need extra coaching on technique and more time spent on their daily routine. I am a firm believer that preventive visits to the dentist should increase during orthodontics. There is too much at risk during this time and the extra professional care and coaching are vital to escaping the pitfalls of poor homecare while braces are on.

As life goes on, your genetic make-up, the amount of professional care and coaching you receive, your effectiveness at home, and your willingness and ability to improve, will shape your oral health. The fact of the matter is, there are those who need more professional care and more rigorous homecare than others.

As I stated earlier, I believe that most dental disease is preventable. What it takes to prevent dental disease in one person may very well not be the same for another. Between finding the right fit with a dental office, utilizing the coaching expertise of those individuals, using the right homecare products, and always striving to improve, excellent oral health for a lifetime is possible.

In the final segment of this series next week I will discuss some simple ideas to maintain good dental health for your entire adult life. It is simpler than you think.

Dr. St. Clair maintains a private dental practice in Rowley and Newburyport dedicated to health-centered family dentistry. If there are certain topics you would like to see written about or questions you have please email them to him at jpstclair@stclairdmd.com. You can view all previously written columns at www.jpeterstclairdentistry.com/blog.