Oral Health: Don't Ignore Your GumsOral Health: Don't Ignore Your Gums

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Oral Health: Don't Ignore Your Gums

When you go to your dentist, you are likely concerned about cavities and the stains on your teeth. If you are like me, then you probably never thought much about your gums. Unfortunately, this caused me to form a serious gum recession condition. My dentist said that hard brushing practices, poor flossing techniques, and even the consumption of sugary foods led to the recession. After some deep scaling treatments, I was informed that I needed a gum graft procedure. The gums are extremely important to your health. They provide your teeth with the nutrients they need and they protect the sensitive dental roots. The gums even keep bacteria away from your jaw bone. Don't ignore your gums like I did. Read my blog and learn about proper oral care techniques. Prevention practices can easily save your gums from necessary restoration.

Whitening After Braces: Common FAQs From Curious Patients

12 June 2017
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

After a long time wearing braces, when they finally do come off, the first thing you will want to do is share your new straightened smile with the world. However, if the braces have left your teeth spotty, discolored, or even yellowed, you will definitely feel like you need further treatment before you are confident enough to flash a smile in every direction. Take a look at some of the most common questions patients who have just had their braces removed have about getting their teeth whitened and the answers you will want to know. 

Why are your teeth stained or discolored after taking the braces off?

It is not at all uncommon for braces wearers to see some slight discoloration on their teeth once the braces are finally removed. The discoloration can be related to a few things, such as the bonding material that was used to hold the metal braces in place and even not properly brushing your teeth while the braces were in place. If you used whitening products while your braces were on, it can also change the shade of your teeth that surrounds the braces, which can leave a small spot in the center of each tooth that may appear darker in appearance. 

Is it safe to have your teeth whitened once the braces are removed?

It is perfectly safe to have your teeth professionally whitened once the braces are removed. If you notice after the braces come off that your teeth do not have a consistent color or could use some whitening, talk to your dentist about the problem. They can help you even out the whiteness of your teeth if they are spotty and even help you get rid of discoloration that is making your whole smile look yellow. It is not a good idea at this point to use home-whitening products because these products often do not given even whitening results, which can only exacerbate the problem. 

Can you still have your teeth whitened if you have to wear a retainer?

It is quite common for the orthodontist to require that you wear a retainer for a period after having your braces removed just to keep your new smile in place. You should know that in spite of wearing a retainer, you should still be able to have your teeth whitened after having the braces removed because one thing doesn't really interfere with the other. 

For more information, talk to a professional like Accent On Dentistry - Rowena R Martir DMD.