Teeth Whitening 101

Teeth Whitening 101

Teeth whitening treatments are a great way to improve the appearance of your teeth and increase your overall confidence. For many people, stained or yellow teeth can lead to lower self-esteem, making them hesitant to smile in photos or uncomfortable in social situations. At Constitution Dental in Downtown Ottawa, our dentists and dental hygienists believe that everyone should feel confident in their smile, which is why we offer both in-clinic and take-home teeth whitening treatments for all of our patients. Contact us today to book an appointment, or continue reading to learn more about our teeth whitening options!

What Causes Stained Teeth?

Of course, one of the most natural teeth whitening methods is to abstain from eating foods that cause your teeth to yellow in the first place, and to incorporate more foods that whiten teeth into your diet. Some of the main foods that stain teeth are coffee, black tea, soda, red and white wine, citrus fruits, dark berries, candy, and tomatoes. If you are wondering how to whiten teeth naturally, try using a straw to enjoy teeth staining drinks, as this minimizes the contact they have with your pearly whites. When it comes to foods that stain teeth, try to cut back on the sweets and make sure to balance tooth staining fruits and veggies with ones that have the opposite effect. Some examples of teeth whitening foods are strawberries, apples, pineapples, celery, and cheese.

Aside from sugary and acidic foods and beverages, smoking cigarettes is another main contributor to yellowing teeth. The carcinogenic chemicals found in cigarettes and chewing tobacco bind to the teeth, attacking the tooth enamel and degrading the integrity of your teeth. Not only does this lead to tooth decay, unhealthy gums, and a heightened risk of oral cancer, but these chemicals also cause the teeth to become discoloured and less attractive. If you are a smoker and are looking to whiten your teeth, the first step is to quit smoking. Trust us, your teeth, gums, and entire body will thank you later.

In-Clinic Teeth Whitening Treatments

Now that you know some of the main foods and substances that cause the teeth to yellow, it’s time to explore other options when it comes to teeth whitening. Often, patients who are insecure about the colour of their teeth prefer to leave teeth whitening to the professionals, as this is quicker, safer, and produces far better results than you would get at home with baking soda, teeth whitening strips, and other home teeth whitening products. At our dental clinic in Downtown Ottawa, our dentists and dental hygienists are trained in professional teeth whitening treatments, and we are more than happy to whiten your teeth for you.

At Constitution Dental, our teeth whitening solution gives you beautiful, white teeth in just one appointment. Our dentists have the tools and technology to whiten teeth up to nine shades in one hour, making this a worthwhile option for patients who have a special event coming up and want to whiten their teeth quickly. In fact, just one teeth whitening treatment at our local dental clinic equates to hours of teeth whitening at home.

The process is simple — we’ll clean your teeth, apply a teeth whitening gel, and shine a special LED light on them. Then, we wait until your teeth have reached your desired result. This may be done in three 15-minute segments to give you a rest and reduce any tooth sensitivity, and we’ll check in with you along the way to determine when your teeth reach your preferred shade. We pride ourselves on maintaining a comfortable environment for all of our patients, so we’ll provide music to help the time pass as you anticipate the smile you’ve always wanted. Contact us today to learn more about our teeth whitening gel and LED teeth whitening lights, or schedule a teeth whitening treatment at our Ottawa dental office online!

Take-Home Teeth Whitening Kits

While our in-clinic teeth whitening treatments are quick and easy, we also realize that many patients prefer to do teeth whitening at home from the comfort of their bed or sofa. That’s why we offer take-home teeth whitening kits for patients, which include teeth whitening gel and a teeth whitening tray. Simply follow the instructions in the teeth whitening kit and mold the tray to fit your teeth snugly, then add a bit of teeth whitening gel to the tray before putting it in your mouth. It is important to read the directions and follow them carefully, as using too much gel can result in gum irritation and gel seeping into your mouth, which can be dangerous.

These at-home teeth whitening trays are meant to be worn every night for a period of two weeks, or as long as it takes to reach your desired result. For some patients, this only takes seven days or so, whereas other patients might find themselves using the treatment every night for the full two weeks. No matter what your end goal may be, it is important to follow instructions and not leave the gel on too long, as this can cause tooth sensitivity and irritated gums. If all goes well, you should be able to reach your desired result within two weeks of nightly use.

Teeth Whitening Benefits

Teeth whitening is one of the most common dental treatments offered by cosmetic dentists, as it has many benefits for patients who are dealing with stained teeth. As previously mentioned, white teeth are a source of confidence for many people, which increases their self-esteem and self-image. Teeth whitening treatments also enhance your appearance, as your teeth are one of the first things people notice when you talk, laugh, and smile.

Aside from the aesthetic benefits of teeth whitening treatments, they are also effective and produce long-lasting results when done correctly. An in-clinic teeth whitening may last up to a few years, depending on your oral hygiene habits and the foods you consume on a regular basis. The results of home teeth whitening treatments typically don’t last as long, but this varies from person to person. Often, the decision comes down to teeth whitening cost, with people who are looking for a short-term solution choosing teeth whitening at home. Though in-clinic teeth whitening treatments are pricier, the results are more prominent, immediate, and long-lasting.

Invest In Your Smile With Teeth Whitening In Downtown Ottawa

No matter which teeth whitening solution you choose, any step toward a brighter, whiter smile is a step toward a happier you. If you are interested in trying a teeth whitening treatment, pick up a teeth whitening kit at our dental clinic, or book an appointment online with our dentists at Constitution Dental in Downtown Ottawa!

What Are Dental Crowns?

What Are Dental Crowns?

If you’ve had extensive dental work done in the past, you probably have a few metal crowns to show for it. Thanks to technological advancements in restorative and cosmetic dentistry, dentists are now able to offer porcelain and ceramic dental crowns, which are a far more attractive option for patients who have extensive tooth damage and still want a beautiful white smile. But what exactly is the purpose of dental crowns?

The Purpose Of Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are used to “cap” teeth that have undergone dental restoration, whether that be a root canal procedure or a tooth that has been cracked, broken apart, or severely worn down. In these cases, the purpose of dental crowns is to cover up and protect the natural tooth, which would otherwise be susceptible to additional fractures and/or further tooth decay.After a root canal, for example, your dentist will place a white tooth crown over your natural tooth, which would otherwise become weak and brittle over time. The same goes for instances where the natural teeth are severely damaged or decayed but can still be saved — dental crowns are one option to consider if you want to restore the functionality of your teeth and avoid getting dental implants or dentures down the road.

Dental crowns are also used to cover up and hold several types of dental restorations in place, including dental bridges and dental implants. At Constitution Dental, we only resort to tooth extraction if the natural tooth can’t be saved, as is often the case for patients with extreme tooth decay. If you have teeth that need to be extracted, or you already have one or more missing teeth, our dentists might recommend dental implants or an implant-supported restoration, such as a dental bridge.

Also known as “denture implants,” dental bridges are implemented when a patient is missing one or more of their natural teeth. A dental implant is placed where the missing tooth was, and it is then restored, or “capped,” with a dental implant that looks exactly like a healthy, natural tooth. Edentulous patients (patients who are missing all of their teeth on one or both arches in the mouth) can also benefit from dental restoration in the form of full dental implants. Essentially, this means that titanium posts are inserted where the missing teeth once were, then the tooth implants are restored with a white dental crown. The end result is a brand new smile that is both beautiful and functional.

How Are Dental Crowns Placed?

If you are about to have a restorative dental procedure done, you’ll likely have to make two appointments at your local dental clinic. This is because dental crowns are placed in two separate sessions, with the first one being a temporary crown, and the second one being the permanent crown that was created in a dental lab.

During your first appointment, your dentist will prepare your tooth by grinding it down so it’ll fit on top of the natural tooth. Any existing tooth decay is also removed during this phase, as you won’t want bacteria building up and eating away at the tooth underneath the dental crown. Then, your dentist will take an impression of the tooth, which will act as the model for the permanent dental crown. Finally, they’ll cap the tooth with a temporary dental crown, which you’ll have for just a week or two until the permanent crown is ready.

When you visit your family dentist for your second appointment, they’ll replace the temporary crown with the permanent one, making any necessary adjustments before permanently securing it to the natural tooth. Before you know it, you’ll be able to talk, eat, and chew normally again, and no one will know you have a dental crown!

Visit Our Dental Clinic In Downtown Ottawa

If you need to schedule a restorative dentistry procedure that involves dental crowns, such as dental implants or implant-supported restorations, contact our team at Constitution Dental in Downtown Ottawa. We would be more than happy to set up an appointment!