Do you want a bright, dazzling smile? A walk down the dental aisle at the grocery store will uncover many at-home teeth whitening kits that promise good results. But, do these do-it-yourself solutions work?

The truth is that professional teeth whitening is much better than drugstore products. Here are three reasons why you should choose a professional service instead of a low-quality alternative:

1. Protect Your Teeth and Gums

Did you know that some teeth whitening treatments can cause damage to your teeth and gums? Certain products can wear down tooth enamel. As a result, your teeth will have a higher risk for decay and other dental problems.

The gums can also be negatively impacted by improper teeth whitening techniques. If the whitening products come in contact with your gums, then you will experience gum sensitivity and pain as a result of the irritation.

Instead of risking your dental health, it is better to talk with a dentist about professional teeth whitening treatments. A professional service will ensure that the products are used correctly to reduce the risk of tooth and gum damage.

2. Faster Results and Long-Lasting Color

A dentist can use stronger whitening agents that aren’t available for over-the-counter purchase. Since the professional treatment is done with the best products available, you will receive fast results. A single teeth whitening treatment can change your teeth so that they are noticeably whiter.

In comparison, over the counter teeth whitening kits require ongoing use before you will notice a difference. The color change is gradual, so you need to be patient if you choose a home treatment. Additionally, it is necessary to continue with these low-quality DIY kits for an extended period to maintain the brightness that you desire.

3. Consistent Color with Dental Restorations

When you use tooth whitening products, the treatment does not change the color of the dental restorations within your mouth. For example, the whitening treatment will not affect crowns or dental implants. A DIY tooth whitening kit will brighten up your natural teeth, and it will look strange to have a few discolored teeth in your mouth.

If these dental restorations are stained, then the dentist might need to use different techniques to brighten the color of the dental restoration. Your dentist will be able to offer the best treatment solutions to help you achieve a beautiful smile.

For more information about teeth whitening or other cosmetic dental treatments, we invite you to contact our office today. Call us to schedule an appointment so that you can learn about the many options that are offered to improve your smile.

Dental emergencies can happen at the moment when you least expect them. If you have been in a situation where your teeth/gums have been damaged, then it is essential that you seek dental treatment right away. These emergency dental services are critical to protecting your teeth and avoid bigger problems.

Dental Emergency Examples

There are a variety of circumstances that might result in a dental emergency. Anytime something damages your teeth, then it should be considered a dental emergency. These are some of the situations that might require emergency dental treatments:

• Car accident
• Fistfight
• Sports injury
• Broken or cracked tooth
• Falling
• Toothache

If the teeth are knocked in the wrong way, then it could cause cracks and damage. Often, these emergency situations occur because of blunt trauma or something that caused physical damage to the tooth.

But, there are also emergency dental situations that are unassociated with an accident. If you start to experience tooth pain, then it is possible that you have an infection. Even though trauma didn’t occur, it is still important that you contact a dentist right away.

What to Do for a Dental Emergency

Depending on the situation, there are a few things that you can do to treat your mouth before you see a dentist. If it is a toothache, try rinsing the mouth and using dental floss to see if any food particles are stuck in the gums. If the swelling is present, then it is a good idea to apply ice to decrease the swelling.

Broken or chipped teeth should be protected from additional damage. Save the pieces of the tooth that fell out. Gently rinse the mouth and apply gauze if the area is bleeding. If the entire tooth is knocked out of the mouth, then you should pick up the tooth by the crown and be careful to avoid touching the root. Gently rinse it in warm water without scrubbing it. Store it in milk until you can visit the dentist.

Do You Need to Schedule an Appointment?

Even if you don’t think that you have suffered a serious injury, don’t delay the call to our Bridgeport dental office. Taking fast action can protect the quality of your tooth. In some situations, immediate treatment can save the tooth and help you to avoid long-term damage. Ignoring or procrastinating the dental treatments might result in permanent damage such as tooth loss.

If there is ever a question about whether you should schedule an emergency dental appointment, then the best thing that you can do is call a dentist for more information. Contact us today, and we will gladly schedule an emergency dental visit for you.

Traditional dentistry methods required multiple visits to complete a crown, and it was inconvenient for the patient to visit the dental office for several dental appointments. We are always striving to provide the best dental services available to make your visit easy and comfortable, and one of the services that we offer is a CEREC same-day crown treatment.

How Does CEREC work?

The same-day crown method is just like it sounds: you can have a crown made and placed on your tooth within the same day. Previously, it was necessary to shape the tooth to prepare it for the placement of the crown. Then a mold was made and sent into the dental lab, and then the crown was sent back so that it could be placed within the patient’s mouth.

Now, the tooth can be shaped and then digitally scanned. The digital information works within a machine to create a crown within a matter of minutes right here in our Bridgeport dental office. So, you just sit back and relax in the dental chair until the crown is ready to go. Then, the crown can be secured in your mouth immediately, making it possible to have the tooth repair completed within the same day.

Why You Need Same Day Crowns

There are several benefits to same-day services for your dental crowns. Here are a few of the reasons our patients enjoy this service:

• Convenience: Instead of visiting the dentist for multiple appointments, you can get it done within a few hours. There is no need to send a mold to the lab, because the crown can be created in our office.
• Accuracy: Since a digital scan is used to create the shape of the crown, the tooth can be fitted with exactness. A crown created in this manner is more accurate and has a better fit compared with other methods.
• Durability: Since the crown is created with long-lasting materials, you can rest assured that you will enjoy the durability of a tooth that will last for many years.

A dental crown is an important way to keep your tooth protected, and this dental treatment makes it faster and easier than ever before. If you need a crown or any other type of dental treatment, then we invite you to contact our office to learn more about the services that are offered. We always stay up-to-date with the latest trends in the dental industry, offering high quality service to every patient that visits. Call us today to schedule an appointment, we are here to help!

The habits that you maintain on a daily basis will have a direct impact on the overall health of your teeth, so it is important that you take a proactive approach to develop good habits right away. You only have one set of permanent teeth, and dental damage can’t be reversed once it has occurred. Instead of paying for dental bills and sitting through dental restoration appointments, it is much better to take a proactive approach to protect your teeth. Here are a few habits that you need to follow:

1. Brush Daily

Brushing is easy to do, and easy not to do! Get in the habit of brushing your teeth every morning and every night. It only takes a few minutes to brush your teeth, and it is the perfect solution to get rid of cavity-causing bacteria that might be building up in your mouth.

2. Don’t Forget to Floss!

If you are consistent with your brushing, do you also plan time to floss? Many patients cringe when their dentist asks about their flossing habits, because most people don’t floss as frequently as they should. Make it a point to floss at least once a day, and you will be able to prevent the cavities that develop between the teeth.

3. Kick the Soda Habit

Do you have the habit of sipping on a soda throughout the day? Constantly exposing your teeth to the sugar and acidic ingredients in the soda can lead to tooth decay. Many people don’t realize that their soda habit is causing dental problems, until they are facing multiple dental treatments for the decay that has occurred.

4. Use the Right Toothbrush

Even though all toothbrushes might seem like the same thing, the truth is that there are actually differences in the types of toothbrushes that you can choose. Look for soft-bristled toothbrushes to prevent dental problems associated with the use of hard-bristled toothbrushes. When the bristles are too hard, they can push back the gums and lead to gum problems that expose the root of the tooth.

5. Visit the Dentist Regularly

Consistent dental exams are important for early detection and preventive treatments. If you want to maintain healthy teeth and gums throughout your life, then you need to be sure that you are visiting the dentist for your regular checkups.

For more information about habits that will protect your dental health, contact us to schedule you dental appointment!