If your mouth constantly feels sticky or bone dry, you may have a condition called dry mouth. Dry mouth doesn’t mean you need to drink more water. In most cases, dry mouth is caused by underactive salivary glands.
Dry mouth is a real oral health problem that needs to be treated before it gets worse. If your mouth never feels moist and quenched, let us know during your biannual exams, or call our office as soon as you start to feel uncomfortable.
At Sargon Dental, our founder and expert dentist Sargon Lazarof, DDS, diagnoses and treats dry mouth at our Encino and West Hollywood, California, and Pleasant Grove, Utah, offices. Following is a look at the causes of dry mouth and what to do about them.
Why so dry?
Everybody gets thirsty and may even have the occasional sensation of a dry mouth. If a drink of water or other beverage quenches the thirst and relieves the dryness, you’re probably good to go.
But if you drink without relief, you could have xerostomia, which is the medical term for dry mouth. You’re most likely to have dry mouth if you experience oher sensations, such as a pasty or sticky feeling in your mouth.
In most cases, dry mouth starts with salivary glands that don’t produce enough lubrication. Reasons why this can occur include:
Dry mouth isn’t considered a normal or expected part of aging. However, as you age, you’re more likely to take medications that cause dry mouth.
The importance of saliva
Saliva plays several key roles in your mouth. Primarily, saliva neutralizes acids that bacteria produces and keeps bacteria growth in check. Saliva also hydrates and nourishes the soft tissues in your mouth, including your lips.
But saliva isn’t just a moisturizer. It plays a key role in digestion. Salivary fluid contains enzymes that help with digestion. The liquidity of saliva also makes chewing and swallowing easier.
Complications of dry mouth
So how can a fluid that’s so beneficial go so dry? And what happens to your mouth without enough saliva? With dry mouth, you’re at risk for several oral issues, including:
Your mouth suffers in many ways without saliva. That’s why seeking treatment is a good idea.
Dry mouth treatments
If Dr. Lazarof diagnoses you with dry mouth, we can do several things on our end to safeguard your oral health. One is prescribing medications that encourage salivation. We may also outfit you with overnight trays that deliver fluoride to your teeth to help protect them. Or, we can administer fluoride treatments in our offices.
You can also take steps to remedy your dry mouth on your own. If you’re taking medications that cause dry mouth, for example, talk to your physicians about alternatives.
Over-the-counter mouth rinses, sprays, and gels that contain xylitol can help relieve dry mouth. You should protect your lips with high-quality lip balm and rinse your mouth frequently with water to keep the tissues inside well-hydrated.
We also urge you to keep water handy at all times and sip it frequently throughout the day. Some products to avoid include caffeine, cigarettes, decongestants, and antihistamines.
Find out how to quench your thirst and remedy dry mouth by contacting us today for a dental hygiene appointment and dry mouth treatment. Call our friendly Sargon Dental office staff, or request an appointment online.
If you’re already brushing your teeth and tongue at least twice a day and flossing at least once, you’re on your way to excellent oral health. Removing plaque and bacteria regularly reduces your risk for cavities and tooth loss.
But when it comes to your brush, does the type matter? It certainly does! First, always use a soft-bristled brush. Hard brushes risk eroding the enamel that protects your teeth from cavities and keeps them looking white and healthy.
However, when choosing between manual and electric toothbrushes, the choice may not be as clear. The American Dental Association (ADA) states that manual and electric toothbrushes are both effective for cleaning teeth. They’re also both effective for removing the oral plaque that leads to dental decay and gum disease.
At Sargon Dental, our founder and expert dentist Sargon Lazarof, DDS, recommends an electric toothbrush for most of his patients in Encino and West Hollywood, California, and Pleasant Grove, Utah. An electric toothbrush offers a number of advantages that may make it a better choice for you if you want to get the most out of your daily brushing.
Your toothbrush choice affects your dental hygiene. Following are some of our top reasons to consider switching from a manual toothbrush to an electric one today.
Electric toothbrushes remove more plaque
Plaque is the sticky, bacteria-filled film that coats your teeth after you eat a meal or snack. The most important reason to consider switching from your old-school toothbrush to an electric one is that the oscillating head of a good electric model is better at removing plaque than manual brushing.
When you clean your teeth more effectively, you lower your chance of cavities and gum disease. Less plaque also translates to a reduced risk of future tooth loss. After three months of daily use, an electric toothbrush can reduce plaque by 21% and mild gum disease (i.e., gingivitis) by 11%.
Electric toothbrushes are better for enamel
A manual toothbrush clears away plaque as you “scrub” your enamel. In contrast, an electric toothbrush provides a gentler, more powerful clean that doesn’t rely on force. An electric toothbrush gets its deep-cleaning action from the rapid oscillation of its soft-bristled head.
Over time, vigorous cleaning with a manual toothbrush may erode your enamel and make your teeth more sensitive. Proper brushing with an electric toothbrush — guiding the brush head along the surface of your teeth without applying extra pressure — fully cleanses your enamel without inadvertently damaging it or increasing your tooth’s sensitivity to heat or cold.
Electric toothbrushes are gentler on gums
Like your teeth, you only get so much gum tissue. Once it’s gone, your teeth don’t have as secure a position as they need to stay rooted and strong.
Scrubbing your teeth with a manual toothbrush can irritate or erode your gum tissue. This could cause your gums to recede. Eventually, this could expose the roots of your teeth at the gumline. Ongoing gum damage sets the stage for periodontal disease. Periodontal disease increases your risk for deep dental decay and infections that require a root canal.
The oscillating head of an electric toothbrush cleans your gums thoroughly, gently, and without tissue-damaging pressure. Women and men who switch to an electric toothbrush have 22% less gum recession after 10 years of use when compared to those who use a manual brush.
Electric toothbrushes help you brush thoroughly
To maintain good oral hygiene, brush your teeth twice daily — once in the morning and once again just before you go to bed. Each time, brush for about two minutes to adequately clean your mouth, including:
Unfortunately, left to their own sense of timing, the average person only spends about 45 seconds cleaning their teeth each time they brush. However, some electric toothbrushes have built-in timers. By paying attention to your toothbrush’s timer, you establish a thorough brushing regimen that doesn’t fall short.
Electric toothbrushes keep braces cleaner
If you have traditional metal or ceramic braces, you may find it hard to keep them clean. The gentle, low-pressure cleaning motion and superior plaque removal action of an electric toothbrush help remove food from wires and brackets. An electric toothbrush is especially good for tweens, teens, and adults who wear braces.
Electric toothbrushes make brushing easy
An electric toothbrush does the hard work of brushing. You simply guide it across the surface of your teeth, gums, palate, and tongue. Its soft oscillating head — rather than your arm muscles — does all the cleaning.
The majority of women, men, and children who switch to an electric toothbrush notice that their dental hygiene routine requires less effort. Even so, their cleaning becomes more thorough. It’s a win-win on every level.
Of course, even with an electric toothbrush, you need to maintain your twice-yearly visits to our office for an examination and thorough professional cleaning. Contact us today for a dental hygiene appointment. Call our friendly Sargon Dental office staff, or request an appointment online.
No one wants to suffer from bad breath, so store shelves overflow with products like mouthwash, mints, and gum. But, even when they leave you feeling minty fresh for a moment, they’re only a temporary solution.
Our dentists are often asked about bad breath at Sargon Dental, with offices in Encino and West Hollywood, California, and Pleasant Grove, Utah. Here they break down the causes of this unwanted condition and what you can do to eliminate it.
Bad breath basics
There’s a reason why mints and mouthwashes don’t offer long-term solutions: They don’t address what’s causing your bad breath. These odors can develop for a few reasons, but they often originate in your mouth.
Poor dental hygiene
One of the main causes of bad breath involves bad oral hygiene. When you have a combination of bacteria and decaying food particles in your mouth, they release an unpleasant odor. This can also occur if you have dentures you don’t properly clean daily.
Gum disease
Ignoring bacteria, plaque, and tartar build-up in your mouth can cause gum disease. This serious oral infection affects the soft tissue in your mouth, leading to bad breath, loose teeth, and tooth loss.
Dry mouth
Believe it or not, saliva actually helps to keep your mouth clean and decrease odor. If you don’t have enough saliva, it can cause issues with your oral health — including bad breath. You can experience dry mouth for various reasons, including salivary gland conditions or taking certain medications.
Smoking
It’s no surprise that cigarettes smell bad, but they can also dry out your mouth and create bad breath. Smoking also increases your risk of gum disease, so there’s never been a better time to quit.
When bad breath doesn’t start in your mouth
While the worst breath starts in your mouth, that’s not always true. Other culprits include:
Your diet
When you consume foods with strong odors, like onions and garlic, your stomach absorbs its oils during digestion. From there, they enter your bloodstream and travel to your lungs. This process creates an odor that can impact your breath for up to 72 hours.
Sinus or throat conditions
If you have an infection, you can experience bad breath. Common conditions that lead to breath odor include:
You can also develop bad breath from tonsil stones or postnasal drainage.
Certain diseases
Sometimes, unpleasant breath can indicate a health condition, like diabetes, kidney disease, or gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD). These conditions usually cause fairly distinct odors, which can give clues to the cause. For example, uncontrolled diabetes often causes breath to have a fruity fragrance. However, when you suffer from kidney or liver failure, it could have a more fishy aroma.
Resolving bad breath
Fortunately, there are solutions for bad breath once you know its cause.
Our dentists can help diagnose what’s causing your symptoms during a dental visit and make personalized recommendations for your treatment. Sometimes, a simple cleaning could be all you need to resolve your odor issues. In others, you may need treatment for more serious dental problems, like gum disease.
If it doesn’t seem like your bad breath is coming from your teeth or mouth, we can also direct you to a physician to rule out other underlying conditions.
Ready to find solutions for your bad breath? Schedule an appointment today by phone or online at the Sargon Dental location most convenient for you.
More than 120 million people in the United States are missing one or more of their permanent teeth. Over 36 million have no teeth at all, a condition that can make eating and even talking more difficult. Though dental implants have emerged as a complementary alternative to dentures and bridges, conventional implants can take months to integrate with your jawbone before supporting replacement crowns.
There’s now a single-day implant solution called All-on-4® that replaces a complete dental arch, top, bottom, or both, on four implants per arch. The team at Sargon Dental specializes in All-on-4 implants, and we’re ready to help you rebuild your ideal smile.
What is All-on-4 all about?
Dental implants are now considered the gold standard for the replacement of missing teeth. Techniques and applications continue to develop, and one of these, All-on-4, specifically encapsulates the benefits of traditional dental implants while avoiding the drawbacks, particularly the months-long treatment time necessary for these conventional techniques. All-on-4 addresses tooth loss using four implants to replace an entire top or bottom arch.
Customizing your All-on-4 treatment plan to your needs, your Sargon Dental caregiver evaluates your candidacy for the procedure. Jawbone health and volume serve as a foundation for any successful dental implant, so we’ll evaluate your condition with a thorough oral examination and review of your dental history. Unlike other implant approaches though, most patients with complete or near-complete loss of a full dental arch qualify for treatment.
A new approach to multiple tooth loss
At its simplest, a dental implant is a one-to-one replacement. You receive one implant to replace one tooth. All-on-4 uses, as its name implies, four implants to secure a full arch of teeth. Instead of up to 16 individual incisions and implants, you receive four.
That’s just the beginning of the All-on-4 advantages. Its treatment concept often encompasses a single day for extractions, implants, and placement of the restoration bridge. Individual treatment plans may vary, so some patients may have portions of their treatment spread over weeks or months.
The All-on-4 advantages
Healing for four implants demands less of your body’s recovery systems, and any time a surgical procedure uses fewer interventions, the chances for complications fall dramatically.
Your day starts with a digital 3D scan of your mouth before any remaining extractions occur, followed by the placement of your implants. Simultaneously, Sargon Dental uses an on-site dental laboratory to manufacture the arch that’s custom-designed to fit your new implants.
Find out more about the All-on-4 implant concept by visiting Sargon Dental, in Encino, West Hollywood, or Pleasant Grove, Utah. Call or click to reach the office of your choice, and enjoy the excitement of planning your new smile.
One of the most versatile tools in our cosmetic dentistry arsenal is veneers. These ultra-thin porcelain shells provide new and improved fronts for your teeth. In doing so, they can correct a host of dental imperfections.
At Sargon Dental in Encino and West Hollywood, California, and Pleasant Grove, Utah, our experienced dental professionals offer a full menu of cosmetic dentistry services, including dental veneers.
Veneers are about the same thickness as a contact lens and are permanently affixed to the outer surface of your teeth. They are custom fabricated to match the shape and color of your natural teeth, making them virtually indistinguishable from the rest of your smile.
Veneers are incredibly versatile and can remedy more imperfections than you may realize. These include:
Discoloration not corrected by whitening
If the dentin inside your teeth is discolored, traditional whitening products may not be effective. To reclaim a gleaming smile, consider veneers. They can be any shade you choose; you can go whiter — much whiter — than whitening can achieve.
Chipped and cracked teeth
Veneers provide the perfect cover for chips, cracks, and teeth of uneven lengths. Veneers can give your teeth a smooth, even appearance while preventing further cracking and decay.
Worn or dull teeth
Like the rest of your body, age creates wear and tear on your teeth. Dental veneers can give a facelift to teeth that are worn or dull.
Misshapen teeth
Misshapen teeth not only detract from your appearance but can also create a misaligned bite. A misaligned bite can result in such problems as chronic headaches and jaw pain.
Gaps between teeth
If you have a gap between your two front teeth, orthodonture isn’t your only solution. Instead, two veneers fabricated slightly larger than your current teeth can often correct the problem in only a few weeks.
More benefits of veneers
Dental veneers look and feel natural. They require minimal enamel removal to apply. They are stain resistant. In addition, maintenance is easy too. As with the rest of your teeth, simply twice daily, floss once daily, and have a dental checkup and cleaning bi-annually.
To learn how veneers can transform your smile and help cover up many dental problems, Schedule an appointment today by phone or online at the Sargon Dental location most convenient for you.
If you long for a more youthful complexion and would prefer to skip invasive options, such as surgery, you may want to consider platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. Using elements of your own blood, this treatment stimulates your skin’s natural healing properties for a more radiant look.
At Sargon Dental, in Encino and West Hollywood, California, and Pleasant Grove, Utah, our team is pleased to offer PRP therapy as a way to rejuvenate your skin and reduce signs of aging.
Aging and your skin
As you age, all of the tissues in your body change — your skin included. Over the years, and especially after middle age, your skin becomes thinner and loses some of its plumpness.
Your skin may also appear less smooth and translucent, while cuts take longer to heal. These factors, paired with your lifestyle habits, make way for fine lines, sagging, and wrinkles.
Your skin may show more signs of aging if you have particularly fair skin or have spent plentiful time in the sun or tanning beds without UV protection. Smoking and drinking in excess can cause your skin to age faster, too.
How anti-aging PRP therapy works
Everyone’s blood contains plasma and platelets, which are important sources of growth factors and proteins that accelerate healing.
Our anti-aging PRP therapy involves drawing a small amount of your blood and processing in a centrifuge to separate out the most platelet-rich part. Dr. T injects your PRP solution into target areas on your skin to address a range of common complaints, including:
PRP therapy may also tighten puffy skin and reduce the appearance of undereye bags.
Anti-aging PRP therapy results
While results from anti-aging PRP therapy vary, we find that patients experience improved skin tone and texture within four weeks of their treatment. Your results will appear gradually, as the healing properties in your skin work their natural magic.
While one PRP treatment may suffice, many people find that a series of up to three sessions brings the most pronounced results. In general, you can expect your results to last as long as 18 months.
We use a special technique and advanced technology to extract PRP that contains autologous white blood cells. While more research is needed, we find that this type of plasma has a higher enrichment rate than conventional PRP methods. In other words, your skin may have a richer glow after your treatment compared to PRP skin therapy performed elsewhere.
To learn more about anti-aging PRP skin rejuvenation, call Sargon Dental or request an appointment today.
Dental health in the United States isn’t great. Missing teeth is a very common issue, but not nearly as prevalent as tooth decay. Far more people have cavities than don’t. But it doesn’t have to be that way!
At Sargon Dental, in Encino, California, the West Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles, and Pleasant Grove, Utah, our staff and team of talented dentists want to encourage you to practice excellent dental hygiene and get regular care. Those two simple steps can prevent many common oral health issues.
Along with common-sense preventive care, we want to help you identify and overcome some widespread bad habits that cause problems for your teeth.
Not keeping your teeth clean
One of the most common reasons people experience tooth decay comes down to something very simple: not keeping your teeth as clean as you should. The best way to take care of your teeth involves:
If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a thousand times: You should brush your teeth thoroughly at least twice a day and floss at least once. Unfortunately, many people don’t floss, either because they feel like it’s too time-consuming, too much of a hassle, or they don’t like how it feels.
Flossing is the best way to remove buildup from bits of food that get trapped between your teeth, leading to plaque buildup. The plaque serves as nourishment for harmful bacteria. That bacteria erodes your teeth and eventually leads to decay.
If you hate flossing, we recommend you try a water flosser system. These powerful devices shoot jets of water in between your teeth to dislodge trapped debris.
Brushing too hard
Often, when people know they should be flossing but don’t, they try to make up for it by brushing extra hard. Or, maybe you just really want to make sure you’re doing a good job. But brushing too hard is a very bad habit, especially if you use a brush with stiff bristles.
Instead, we encourage you to use a soft-bristled brush in a gentle, circular motion. Brushing carefully and gently can protect the enamel on your teeth, which protects you from the harmful bacteria that lead to tooth decay.
Nail biting
Chewing or biting your nails can chip your teeth. Plus, nail biting is bad for your jaw. If life is stressful, try some deep breathing exercises! Treating yourself to a nice manicure might also help you stop biting your nails.
Grinding your teeth and clenching your jaw
If you have frequent aches in your jaw, it could be due to grinding or clenching. Many folks do this when they feel stressed without even realizing it. Both habits can wear down your teeth.
Often, teeth grinding happens at night, while you’re asleep. If you’ve had unexplained headaches or you notice your jaw hurts in the morning, come in and talk with us. Your dentist can see signs of grinding, and we can fit you with a night guard to protect your teeth.
Eating ice
Do you chomp on ice? This is quite dangerous for your teeth. You’re risking breaking or chipping a tooth every time you do it.
Not protecting your mouth when you play sports
If you play sports, use the proper gear. If a mouth guard is recommended, wear one. We can help you understand which options are best for your mouth and your sport.
Eating hard candy
If you feel hard candy is a good alternative to chocolate, we urge you to reconsider. If you eat it slowly, hard candy coats your teeth in sugar, and that encourages tooth decay. If you chew hard candy, you risk breaking or chipping your teeth just as if you’re eating ice!
These are just a few tips based on some common bad habits we see. If you have questions about caring for your teeth, or if it’s time for your routine exam, we would love to see you! Schedule an appointment today by phone or online at our Sargon Dental location most convenient for you.
Your smile is one of your best accessories. Not only does smiling boost your confidence, but it also delivers some serious health benefits. Smiling relieves stress, boosts your mood, and even helps lower your blood pressure.
At Sargon Dental, we give you one more reason to smile. Our expert team is on a mission to help you fall in love with every aspect of your smile, from your pearly whites to full, plump lips. That’s why we offer three types of lip augmentation here in our Encino and West Hollywood, California, offices.
Take a few moments to learn more about your lip augmentation options.
Explore the possibilities with lip augmentation
Lip augmentation refers to any procedure that augments 一 adds volume to 一 your lips. Here at Sargon Dental, we offer hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers, such as Restylane® and Juvéderm®, fat transfers, and AlloDerm™.
You might be a good candidate for lip augmentation if:
Depending on which option you choose, your results can last from 12 months to several years.
3 reasons to treat yourself to lip augmentation
During your consultation, our team reviews your aesthetic goals and your health history, and determines which type of lip augmentation is best for you. When you receive lip augmentation with us, you can expect the following benefits:
1. Easy process, beautiful results
Regardless of which type of lip augmentation you choose, the process is simple. Each lip augmentation is performed under local anesthesia right here in our office, and you’re able to go home afterward.
Dermal fillers require less downtime than AlloDerm, but rest assured that our team provides you with all of the preparation steps you need.
2. Results are long-lasting
Dermal fillers last from 12-24 months, but maintenance treatments help you maintain your look. These injectables plump up your lips thanks to the superpowers of hyaluronic acid.
Your body already produces hyaluronic acid, and it works like a sponge, drawing water into it. This helps your lips stay supple, soft, and oh-so-plump.
Fat transfers, on the other hand, can last a lifetime. During this 60-90 minute procedure, we transfer unwanted fat from one area and inject it into your lips.
AlloDerm is a similar soft tissue injection, but this process uses sterile tissue rather than unwanted fat from your body. Both fat transfers and AlloDerm are designed to last for years on end.
3. Boosts your confidence
As with any cosmetic treatment 一 wrinkle reduction with Xeomin®, teeth whitening, or veneers, 一 lip augmentation boosts your confidence, and when you love your smile, it shows!
’Tis the season to treat yourself! Schedule your lip augmentation consultation and show off your brand-new smile this holiday season. Call Sargon Dental or request an appointment through our website.
It’s officially holiday shopping season here in sunny California, but don’t forget to treat yourself! Give yourself the gift of youth and refreshen your appearance with Xeomin® injections here at Sargon Dental in Encino and West Hollywood, California.
Dr. Mitra Tahvildarian is an expert in wrinkle reduction, which is why we offer dermal fillers and neuromodulators to our patients in the greater Los Angeles area.
If you’re considering a refresh before you start the holiday party circuit, here’s what you need to know about Xeomin.
What is Xeomin and how does it treat crow’s feet?
Dynamic wrinkles form from repetitive facial expressions, unlike static wrinkles that form due to collagen and volume loss. Xeomin and other neuromodulators only address dynamic fine lines and wrinkles.
Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA) is a highly purified, FDA-approved injectable that helps reduce the appearance of dynamic wrinkles. Unlike other neuromodulators on the market, Xeomin is double-filtered using XTRACT Technology,™ so you never receive more than you need.
Xeomin gently relaxes specific facial muscles 一 muscles that otherwise contract to form crow’s feet and other dynamic wrinkles 一 without any extra proteins or additives. When the nerves in these muscles are relaxed, they’re less likely to contract to form those pesky crow’s feet.
Because Xeomin is “naked,” that is, free from unnecessary additives, it can actually help prevent resistance to your Xeomin injections over time.
Scheduling your appointment before the festivities
One question we hear frequently is how to time your appointments before a big event. The effects of Xeomin are evident shortly after your visit, but you may not want to walk into a party if you have any post-treatment redness. Redness is common but temporary.
You may start to see skin-smoothing effects in about 3-4 days, with optimal results about 30 days later. Xeomin lasts about three months.
In other words, now is the perfect time to get started so you feel refreshed for the upcoming holidays.
Getting ready for your appointment
In the days leading up to your Xeomin treatment, avoid taking blood-thinning supplements or medications, including aspirin, anti-inflammatories (such as Advil), ginkgo biloba, vitamin E, and fish oil supplements.
Supplements that contain blood-thinning compounds may increase post-treatment bruising and bleeding.
Note: Never stop or alter any prescribed medications unless directed. If you aren’t sure if any of your supplements are blood-thinning, bring your list to your consultation.
Xeomin injections take about 20 minutes, and anesthesia isn’t needed. We may apply a topical numbing cream for your comfort, though. After your appointment, you may experience a little redness, but you’re free to continue on your day.
Treat yourself this holiday season! Learn more about Xeomin 一 or other cosmetic services such as lip augmentation 一 at Sargon Dental. Call the location of your choice or simply request a consultation through our website.
Having your teeth whitened is a subtle but powerful way to transform your appearance. The enamel on your teeth naturally gets thinner with age, allowing the dentin beneath to show through. By whitening your teeth, you can look younger.
Other things can cause discoloration, as well, but regardless of the cause, you’ll likely feel better about how you look with a brighter smile. All the providers at Sargon Dental are experts in using the most advanced teeth whitening system available on the market today: Philips Zoom! We know that you’ll be happier with results from this professional whitening than with over-the-counter products, and in this post, we explain why.
Why you need whitening
Your teeth are coated with extremely hard, durable enamel, which is naturally some shade of white, although the exact color can vary. Even though enamel is tough, its color can be affected by several factors, including:
Foods and Beverages
You may love that morning cup of coffee or tea, but it can stain your teeth! In fact, many foods and beverages are common causes of discoloration. Berries, beets, and red wine are also well-known stainers.
Age
Enamel, like so much else in our bodies, breaks down over time. That allows your yellowish or grayish dentin to show through. You may maintain a perfect dental hygiene routine and still end up with discolored teeth!
Lifestyle factors
Smoking and chewing tobacco are notorious for staining your teeth. Avoiding tobacco use is good for your health and for your smile. Poor hygiene is another common cause of discoloration that comes down to daily habits.
Certain medications can cause discoloration, as well.
Regardless of the reason your teeth aren’t as white as you’d prefer, we can help!
Philips Zoom! is the best choice
You may think that grabbing a kit at your local drugstore is the most convenient way to whiten your teeth, but chances are that you’ll end up disappointed with the results. You may be able to see some difference, but it’s unlikely to be noticeable to others. Worse yet, it’s unlikely to last. Over-the-counter products contain weaker ingredients and are simply less effective.
Highly trained professionals like the providers at Sargon Dental are qualified to work with stronger chemicals and know how to keep you and your teeth safe. The Philips Zoom! The gel we use contains up to 40% hydrogen peroxide, which is a far higher concentration than in over-the-counter products.
Another factor to consider is the speed of transformation. Over-the-counter kits are designed to deliver results slowly, but the Zoom! A Whitening system can change your teeth by as much as eight shades in a single, one-hour visit.
When you arrive, we clean your teeth thoroughly, getting rid of surface stains, plaque, and bacteria. Next, we use rubber guards and protective gel to prevent damage to your gums or soft tissue. The last step is to apply a professional-strength whitening compound to your teeth and use a special light to activate it and speed up the whitening process.
The compound application and light process are repeated up to four times in 15-minute increments until we reach the desired level of whitening. Once your teeth are sparkling and white, brush your teeth, rinse thoroughly, and get back to your life with a smile you’re proud to show off.
Make it last
The results from the Zoom! The Whitening system should last for one to three years, but you need to do a few things to make that happen, such as:
If you’d like to learn more about Zoom! Whitening or about the other options we offer for getting your smile just the way you want it, schedule an appointment at any of the three Sargon Dental locations today!