Cosmetic Dentistry

Whitening Toothpastes, birmingham dental practice

6th March, 2013

Whitening Toothpastes – Do they really work?

 

Everyone wants white teeth.  Subconsciously we associate a nice white smile with health, youth and vitality.  A nice smile is appealing, friendly and confident.

But how do we achieve and maintain a healthy white smile when genetics, food and drink play such a part in spoiling our efforts.

Many people turn to whitening toothpastes; they are advertised heavily on TV and are often on promotion at supermarkets with buy one get one free campaigns tempting the buyer to try.

If you decide to try (are are currently using) a whitening toothpaste then considering the following information may help you.

All toothpastes contain abrasives; they provide the cleaning power needed to keep the teeth clean and help prevent gum disease by removing plaque, stains and debris.  If the abrasive content is too high however the teeth and gums and attack the enamel.

If you are using toothpaste that is too abrasive what actually happens is that the enamel begins to wear and the dentine beneath the enamel becomes more visible which makes the teeth appear more yellow in colour.

Some whitening toothpastes are particularly abrasive and can damage your teeth.  So if your whitening toothpaste leaves your gums a little sore or your teeth feeling dull or “scratched” then stop and change brands.

It’s also worth considering only using a whitening toothpaste once a week rather than twice daily. 

There are good brands on the market however, a recent study showed that the range of Beverly Hills Formula whitening toothpastes remove up to 90% of stains and are not so abrasive as to damage enamel.  It’s not as easy to get hold of as other leading brands but you can usually get it at Superdrug.  (this report was sponsored by the manufacturer).

Bear in mind if you do see toothpastes advertising what percentage of stains they will remove, that water alone will remove 48% of staining!

So in conclusion, yes some whitening toothpastes can remove stains without damaging your teeth.  But we would also remind you that these toothpastes are designed to remove stains – they will not make your teeth “whiter” than their own natural colour.

In order to achieve a whiter shade than your natural tooth colour you need to see a dental professional.

The law in this country states that only dental professionals can perform tooth whitening and there are strict limits as to the strength the whitening product can be.

Home whitening can give very satisfying results.  Custom trays are worn for 2 to 4 hours a day for up to 2 weeks.  “Top up” treatments can be applied every 2 to 3 years to keep your smile bright.

The downside of tooth whitening is that the teeth can become sensitive during the whitening treatment.  This can usually be alleviated by using Sensodyne toothpaste.  The sensitivity should pass once the treatment is concluded.

For any questions on tooth whitening or oral hygiene speak to your dentist or ask at reception.

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Implant, Northfield Birmingham

8th November, 2012

Most people think that dental implants are a fairly new advance in dentistry, but would you be surprised to know that they have been available since the early 1960′s!

Implants are used to replace missing teeth with crowns or bridges or to stabilize dentures They are made from titanium which is a hypoallergenic metal.

As dentists in Birmingham we recommend an initial assessment at our dental practice if you are interested in an implant; there we will discuss the potential benefits to your comfort, appearance and function.  We will usually need to take an x ray as well and this is included in the initial implant assessment fee of £90.00.
Dental implants are placed directly into the jaw bone to act like a tooth root.  It’s a fairly straight forward procedure and is done using the same local anesthetic you would have for a filling.

A small incision is made and the implant placed into the bone.  The procedure only takes about 30 minutes and following implant placement any swelling and discomfort are minimal.  Paracetomol or similar will manage any discomfort and usually this is only taken for the day of the procedure.

The implant can be attached to a crown, bridge or denture after 3 to 6 weeks. In some cases the implant may be used straight away although this will make it more likely to loosen.

Osseointegration is successful in more than 90% of people, and it is important to maintain healthy teeth and gums to protect the implant.
We are dentists in Birmingham are able to offer dental implants at a cost of £875. The attached crown costs a further £875. The overall cost including the temporary crown, associated x rays and aftercare is approximately £2000 if only one tooth needs replacing.
To stabilize and retain a full lower denture two implants would be needed which with the attachments to the denture costs around £2200.
For bridges each implant may support more than one tooth.
It is important to attend your dentist regularly for maintenance after completing treatment. Good oral hygiene around the implants and existing teeth is essential for long term success.
If you would like to know more or would like to book an assessment call us on 0121 475 2321.

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Tooth Whitening, Northfield Birmingham



How do I use the bleaching tray system ?

 1.         Before using your bleaching trays you should brush and floss your teeth thoroughly

2.         Then place a match head sized amount of the gel into each compartment of the        bleaching trays

3.         Place the trays into your mouth and wipe off any excess around your lips and gums

4.         Do not allow anyone else to use your bleaching tray system 5.         Keep your bleaching gel in the fridge

 How long should I leave the trays in for ?

The gel is active for 4 – 6 hours in the mouth.  You wear them for at least 1 hour in the morning and 1 hour during the evening; or you can sleep wearing the trays.  The twice daily changes of gel are essential.  Please do not try to skip the morning or evening session.

How do I clean the trays after I have used them ?

Gently wash each tray in COLD water, store them safely away and then gently brush you teeth.

How long will the whitening take ?

The darker your teeth, the longer the whitening process will take; however a satisfactory result will usually be achieved within 2 weeks.

Do your teeth become sensitive ?

Some patients have reported tooth sensitivity to hot or cold stimulus whilst whitening their teeth, however any sensitivity can be eased by the use of Sensodyne toothpaste in the tray for 2 – 3 days or,  if necessary, you can take a break for two or three days whilst using the whitening system.  Any sensitivity should cease once you complete the whitening process.

Will my teeth whiten evenly ?

During the first few days of the whitening system you may feel that your teeth are whitening unevenly if you have “white spots” on your teeth before you begin; by the end of the two weeks however these white spots will have blended in and will not be noticeable.

If you have white fillings, crowns or bridges, these will hardly be affected and so may need to be replaced by your dentist once you have achieved a shade of white you are happy with.  During the whitening process you should try to avoid eating or drinking tooth staining food such as curry, red wine tea and coffee and try to refrain from smoking.

How long will the whiteness last ?

On average the colour will last between 3 and 5 years.  A lot depends on your brushing technique, your diet and whether or not you smoke.  After your initial two weeks treatment, keep your trays safe and when you and your dentist feel it necessary you can simply buy a tube of the whitening gel for around £20 and “top up” your teeth for a couple of days.

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Cosmetic & Facial Makeover, Birmingham Dentist



Cosmetic Dentistry in Birmingham

 Did you know that Hilltop is your one stop dental spa for all you dental and cosmetic needs?

As well as National Health dental treatments for you and your family you can consider additional, cosmetic treatments or smile makeovers such as

  • Tooth Whitening (power whitening or home whitening)
  • Bridges to fill gaps from missing teeth
  • Veneers to improve the appearance of teeth
  • Invisi-tips to re-shape individual teeth to give the overall appearance of straight teeth
  • Replace your old amalgam (silver) fillings with tooth coloured white fillings
  • Have stains removed with a scale and polish
  • Improve the health and appearance of unsightly red or bleeding gums with periodontal treatments

 Or maybe you would prefer to look at our onsite spa menu for

 Medical grade microdermabrasion

  • Facial thread vein removal
  • Facial fillers
  • Muscle relaxants
  • Lip volumisers

 We are accessible from all local areas including Kings Norton, Selly Oak, Bournville, Longbridge, Cotteridge, West Heath and are just 4 ½ miles from Birmingham City Centre.  Call 0121 475 2321 to join as a new patient, book a free no obligation facial consultation or request information.

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dentist bleaching, birmingham

1st September, 2011

This dental practice offers 3 types of tooth whitening to suit your needs and your budget.  Below is a brief outline of the treatments we offer, for more details and costings see our main web pages.

Zoom2 Laser Whitening

With the latest Zoom2 laser whitening system on the market you can lighten your teeth by up to 8 shades in just 1 hour.

Gel is applied to your teeth, then the laser (a bright light) is positioned to activate the gel and you simply sit and relax for an hour.

Custom Made Home Whitening System

This whitening system uses custom made trays that fit over your teeth (like a gum shield) holding the whitening gel against your teeth.  The trays are worn for an hour in the morning and an hour at night (you can even wear them overnight if you want). 

As soon as you are happy with the colour of your teeth, you simply stop; most people find that around 2 weeks gets the best results.

Combination Whitening

This is the best form of tooth whitening and gives really fantastic results.  First of all the Zoom2 laser starts off the whitening process and then it is followed up with two weeks of the home tray system for maximum impact !

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