Spring Refresher! Teeth Whitening 101

Spring Refresher! Teeth Whitening 101

May 16, 2022

With winter finally in the rearview mirror, it’s time to get outside and enjoy the warmer weather. Like typical Mainers, we can’t wait to get outside and create new spring memories with photos of fun, outdoor activities with our friends and family. Are you excited for spring, but you feel self-conscious about the brightness of your smile? Luckily, there are a variety of tooth whitening options that you can use at home or that can be applied in our office. If you are hoping to achieve a bright, new smile, Dr. Brunacini, Dr. Karagiorgos, and our team of compassionate dental professionals are here to help you decide which treatment is right for you!

Over-the-Counter Whitening Treatments

There are many teeth-whitening products available at your local grocery store or pharmacy that promise amazing results, but just how good are they?

    • Activated Charcoal      

Activated charcoal for tooth whitening is available as a powder or toothpaste. Use of these products may be effective in whitening the surface of your teeth, but do not remove the deeper stains. They are also messy and tend not to be formulated with fluoride. Here at Falmouth Dental Arts, we recommend charcoal products for adults only and caution against daily use. We are happy to provide more information about whether charcoal products are a good choice for you – feel free to ask!

    • Whitening Toothpaste

There are many different toothpastes on the market that claim to whiten teeth and they can make a difference with minor surface stains over time. However, some whitening toothpastes contain ingredients that can cause tooth sensitivity. Watch out for brands that contain abrasive ingredients, such as activated charcoal, microbeads, or other natural exfoliants, as they can damage the enamel of your teeth. We are happy to provide a recommendation for a whitening toothpaste that is safe for you; just give us a call or inquire at your next appointment.

Our Treatments

Teeth whitening is one of our most popular cosmetic dentistry options as just a few treatments can make a world of difference to your appearance! At Falmouth Dental Arts, we offer several whitening options that can be done while you are in the office or can be taken home with you. Professional teeth whitening is a very safe way to achieve a brighter smile and Dr. Brunacini or Dr. Karagiorgos will be happy to consult with you to determine which option is best for you.

    • Laser Teeth Whitening

Laser teeth whitening is a quick and easy in-office procedure that can be completed in just over an hour in our office. The process for laser whitening is simple and the results can be seen immediately. After removing any plaque from your teeth and gums, a bleaching agent is applied with a laser. This laser allows the bleaching agent to penetrate the tooth enamel, removing even the deeper stains, leaving you with a whiter, brighter smile. If you are wondering if you are a good candidate for laser teeth whitening, give us a call or talk to us at your next appointment!

    • At-Home Whitening Strips

At-home whitening strips are an affordable option that can be applied at your convenience and in the comfort of your own home. It may take some time for the results to become noticeable, but whitening strips are still a good option for many people. They are most effective with surface discolorations, but if used correctly, they may be able to penetrate the tooth enamel to remove deeper stains as well. We will be happy to discuss whether whitening strips would be a good choice for you.

At Falmouth Dental Arts we are your partners in dental health. We’d love to talk with you about your goals for teeth whitening and about which treatment will give you the results you’ve always wanted. Give us a call at 207.781.5900 so we can go over your options and answer any questions you may have!

7 Myths About Teeth and Aging

Jan 19, 2015

Many believe that losing their teeth and eventually ending up with dentures is inevitable. Others think they’re “too old” for certain procedures. There are many myths that need to be debunked about our dental health as we age. Here are seven of the most common of them:

1. I’m going to lose my teeth anyway. Why put money into them?

Having a great smile and being able to eat anything you want is an investment, not a cost. Many of us will now live to be over 90 thanks to modern medicine. There are many procedures to save teeth, so you don’t have to be doomed to a future of gumming your food or ill-fitting dentures for 20+ years.

2. I’m too old for orthodontics. My teeth can’t be straightened now.

As we get older, unfortunately our teeth become more crooked and overlapped. Orthodontics work at any age as long as the teeth have good bone support and are in fair shape. Many times, orthodontics are used before cosmetic procedures, so the results can be beautiful.

3. My dentures will never be tight enough.

There have been many advances in helping people with loose dentures. One of the most cost-effective methods is the placement of “mini-implants,” which can attach to the inside of the existing dentures in order to give patients a tighter fit. For those who want to get rid of their dentures completely, there are “implant supported bridges,” where slightly larger implants are placed and a bridge that looks like normal teeth is cemented permanently over them.

4. Teeth whitening is only for the younger crowd.

Teeth whitening works no matter what your age. Done properly, it can make your teeth (and you) look much more youthful. Just be aware that whitening will not work on old fillings or crowns.

5. I’m too old for veneers and crowns.

Some of our favorite patients are those over 70 who have had cosmetic veneers done on their aging and yellowing teeth—it gives them much more confidence in their smiles and can help with self-esteem.

6. Implants won’t work in my mouth so I’m stuck with what I have.

Dental implants are changing so fast that it’s hard for even dentists to keep up with the advances. Just a few years ago, if your jaw couldn’t accommodate implants, your options were limited. Now, there are many procedures that allow us to place implants almost anywhere in the mouth. Biting into an apple is a wonderful thing you can do again with the help of the proper procedures.

7. The health of my teeth and gums doesn’t matter at this age.

Gum disease, or “periodontal disease,” is the number one disease in the world. It’s the leading cause of tooth loss as we age, and it’s entirely preventable! There are now a vast number of studies showing how important healthy gums are to our heart and joints. If you’ve had joint replacements, you know how strict surgeons are about healthy gums before surgery. The mouth is a window to the health of the rest of your body.

It’s never too late for the beautiful smile and functional teeth you’ve been dreaming of for years. With the advances of modern dentistry, your dreams can become a reality.