You brush (at least) twice daily. You floss. You visit your dentist for checkups and cleanings every six months, like clockwork. And still, you look at other people’s smiles and can’t help but wonder why your teeth aren’t as white.

Here’s the truth: You can do everything right and still accumulate stains on your teeth over time. If you’ve been thinking about professional teeth whitening, talk with your dental care team. Your dentist can help you understand the cause of your staining, the impact of take-home whitening kits available today, and why leaving it to the pros is worth it.

Everyday Causes of Tooth Discoloration

Some causes of tooth discoloration can’t be helped, like aging, living with certain diseases, taking certain medications, and experiencing tooth trauma from an injury. Your genetics can also play a role.

You may be surprised, though, how making changes to your lifestyle like quitting smoking and using tobacco and stepping up your oral hygiene can help. You may also be surprised to learn how many different foods and beverages can stain your teeth.

Food and drinks that are dark in color, have high acidity (which can weaken the enamel on your teeth), or contain carbohydrates (which break down into simple sugars) can stain your teeth.

Common examples include:

• Candy
• Carbonated drinks, including soda (even light ones!)
• Certain sauces (including tomato, curry, soy, and balsamic vinegar)
• Coffee and tea
• Food coloring
• Frozen popsicles
• Fruits and berries
• Juice
• Red and white wine
• Sports drinks
• Starchy foods (pasta, bread, potato chips)

The Truth About Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening Products

These days, many different over-the-counter teeth-whitening products are available, including gel strips, toothpastes, rinses, trays, and pens. These products can be relatively easy to use and are likely less expensive than professional teeth whitening, but the active ingredient (often hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide) isn’t as strong.

Compared to professional teeth whitening, over-the-counter products also:

• Aren’t custom fitted to your mouth.
• Cause irritation to your gums and sensitivity for some people.
• Don’t give the same long-lasting result.
• Take time before you begin to notice a difference.

Professional Teeth Whitening: What to Expect

Professional-strength custom kits you can use at home are available from Cleveland Family Dentistry.

Take-home Teeth Whitening: A Personalized Kit

Personalized kits include custom-made trays to fit over your teeth perfectly and a professional-strength topical solution. This option allows you to professionally whiten your teeth at home without having to schedule an appointment and travel to the office. Your dental care team will teach you how to use the kit and will be available to answer your questions.

Brighten Your Smile Today

To learn more about professional teeth whitening in Cleveland, Texas, schedule an appointment online or call us at 281-592-1234. We can’t wait to create a customized teeth whitening solution to fit your needs — and gives you the winning smile you’ve always dreamed of.

If you’re missing several teeth in a row, you may want to consider implant-supported dentures. Traditional dentures rely on suction, and sometimes adhesives, to stay put. Implant-supported dentures, on the other hand, attach directly to your jawbone on surgically implanted threaded posts that act as roots.

Not only do implant-supported dentures give dentists a great way to help you rebuild your smile; they also preserve the integrity of your jawbone — and your oral health. Here are just a few of their many benefits.

Implant-Supported Dentures Last a Long Time

Dental implants can last a lifetime, and the denture itself (called the overdenture) typically only needs to be replaced every 20 years.

Implant-Supported Dentures Help Prevent Bone Loss

Missing teeth means missing roots. And roots are essential. They support your teeth as you eat food and stimulate your body to send nutrients to your jawbone. Implants are tiny titanium posts that fuse with surrounding bone, helping to preserve jawbone health and stability. Without roots or implants, the bone around your jaw can shrink and deteriorate, affecting your overall oral health and appearance.

Implant-Supported Dentures Can Improve Your Quality of Life

Implant-supported dentures don’t slip, and that’s a big deal since we all want to eat, talk and smile. According to recent research, implant-supported removable dentures “significantly improved patients’ quality of life and satisfaction” compared to traditional dentures.

With implant-supported dentures, you won’t have food restrictions, will be able to brush and floss just as you would with your natural teeth and will enjoy a more natural looking smile.

Removable Implant-Supported Dentures Exist

While it’s great not to be concerned about slippage, some patients worry that the permeance of implant-supported dentures makes them difficult to maintain or clean. But rest assured that your dentist can remove fixed implant-supported dentures for maintenance if necessary. However, if that’s still a worry for you, removable implant-supported dentures, sometimes called snap-in dentures, can be easily removed for daily cleaning.

We Can Conduct the Entire Implant-supported Denture Process

At Cleveland Family Dentistry, we’ve seen first-hand how our implant-supported dentures can vastly improve the lives of our patients. If you’re wondering if you’re a candidate for implant-supported dentures, schedule an consultation online or call us at 281-592-1234. We’ll work with you to find the right solution for you, and will be with you every step of the way.

Facing an emergency tooth extraction can be a bit overwhelming, especially when you’re in pain. But knowing what will come next as you progress through treatment, can give you both peace of mind and confidence in your dental care. If you need an emergency tooth extraction or emergency dental care,in Cleveland, Texas, call Cleveland Family Dentistry today.

When is Emergency Tooth Extraction Necessary?

Whether you experienced an injury that caused significant tooth damage or are experiencing pain due to infection, it’s important to get dental care right away. A dentist will do everything possible to restore your tooth before considering an extraction. Sometimes, though, pulling a tooth is the best option.

Infection sometimes happens due to severe gum disease, or excessive decay that develops if you’ve delayed treatment. If you’ve delayed care out of anxiety, you aren’t alone. In fact, according to recent research in the Journal of Dentistry, more than 15% of adults experience dental fear. But remember, dental offices strive to create a caring, no-judgement zone. When you need help, please don’t hesitate to schedule an emergency appointment.

What do I do if I need an emergency tooth extraction?

If you think you need an emergency tooth extraction, the first step is finding a dentist that offers same-day emergency appointments. The sooner you get care, the sooner you’ll feel better.

When you call, it’s likely you’ll be asked some questions. You may also be asked to do the following before you arrive:

• Apply a cold compress
• Insert gauze to stop any bleeding
• Rinse your mouth out with warm water
• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever

How Do I Prepare for an Emergency Tooth Extraction?

You may not have as much time to prepare in an emergency as you would for a scheduled visit. However, taking these steps before you come in can be helpful:

• Arrange for transportation from a family member, friend, or company, such as Uber.
• Bring your insurance information.
  Compile a list of medications or vitamins you take, and the dosages.
• Follow any specific instructions you were given, including not eating or smoking.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing.

What Happens During an Emergency Tooth Extraction?

Your dental team will likely take an X-ray shortly after you arrive to see what’s happening to the roots and tissue surrounding the problematic tooth. If a tooth extraction is necessary, they’ll perform either a simple or surgical tooth extraction.

Simple Tooth Extraction

If your tooth is visible above the gums and not broken or heavily decayed, your dentist will do a simple tooth extraction. After numbing you using a local anesthetic, your dentist will use a tool called an elevator to gently loosen the tooth before removing it. This is a quick and relatively easy procedure.

Surgical Tooth Extraction

For more complex cases, your dentist may need to make a small incision in your gum to remove the tooth completely. For this procedure, either a local or general anesthetic will be used. So, while you may feel pressure during the procedure, you won’t feel any pain.

What Can I Expect for Recovery?

Tooth extraction recovery generally only takes a few days. But before you leave the office, your dental care team will go over any at-home care instructions, which may include recommendations like:

• Applying a cold compress to your cheek
• Avoiding smoking or using straws
• Brushing and flossing regularly, but avoiding the affected area
• Eating soft foods until you’ve had time to heal
• Gently biting down on the gauze to help stop bleeding

Cleveland Family Dentistry is Ready with Emergency Dental CareYou can count on the caring team at Cleveland Family Dentistry to provide same-day emergency dental care in a warm and relaxed environment — and to guide you through every step of treatment and recovery, so you always know what will come next. If you think you may need an emergency tooth extraction, please call us at 281-582-1234. We’ll do everything we can to alleviate your pain today, so you can feel like yourself again tomorrow.