Dr. Garcia gives cosmetic dental care advice to Montrose, CA patients

Our culture is in a DIY craze. We are trying our hands at everything from repurposing pallets into furniture, to kitchen makeovers, automotive repairs, and cake decorating. Yet some things are better left to professionals. Cosmetic dental care is a good example. Dr. Carlos Garcia shares this sound advice for Bright Smiles Dental Studio patients in the Montrose, CA area.

The teeth whitening trend

Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dental treatments, and for good reason. It is an economical way to brighten your whole look.

This is how professional in-office teeth whitening works:

• After you are settled comfortably in the chair, your eyes are protected with special glasses.
• A trained registered dental assistant, working under the direction of a licensed dentist, applies a protective medium to gum tissues.
• Prescription strength whitening agent is brushed onto visible tooth surfaces.
• The bleaching process is accelerated with an LED light for a precise period of time.
• Bleaching is repeated several times, until desired tooth color is achieved.
• Gums and teeth are cleansed.
• You leave the office with a noticeably whiter smile.

You can also whiten safely at home, with the oversight of the dental team. Dr. Garcia takes impressions of your mouth to fabricate application trays. You wear the trays, filled with a fresh date, genuine medical-grade whitening gel, for about an hour a day. When teeth are as light as you like, whiten periodically to maintain a dazzling smile. Extra precautions can be taken to minimize risk of sensitivity. 

Use caution if you whiten your teeth naturally 

An internet search will turn up plenty of do-it-yourself teeth whitening treatments. While the ingredients may be natural, please be careful – they can harm your teeth. For example, baking soda is quite abrasive. It scrapes surface discoloration away but leaves scratches that trap more stains. The acids in apple cider vinegar fade stains. However, they also erode enamel, increasing the risk of tooth decay. Strawberries and bananas may have some superficial benefit, but they do not penetrate tooth enamel.

It is only natural to call Bright Smiles Dental Studio for safe, effective teeth whitening. The number in Glendale is (818) 290-8788 .