teeth whitening Archives - Dr. Duane Delaune's Blog

Does Citric Acid from Lemons Whiten Teeth?

Posted on January 26, 2024 by AllSmiles.

Can I whiten my teeth with lemons or lemon essential oil without damaging them? I know natural lemon is acidic, but will the essential oil work? I read online that lemon oil will whiten teeth without damaging them. If I can find natural alternatives to teeth bleaching, that would be great. So, if not lemons, I’m interested in anything else I can do at home. Thanks. Kamilya

Kamilya,

Whitening your teeth can refresh your smile. If your teeth are in good condition, brighter teeth can look like you’ve had a smile makeover.

Does Citric Acid from Lemons Whiten Teeth?

Citric acid from lemons etches tooth enamel, temporarily giving it a frosty surfer and making it look whiter. However, roughened tooth enamel will eventually attract more stains, making your teeth look worse.

Some Internet articles claim that the citric acid in lemons kills bacteria and whitens teeth. However, pigments in food and drink, not bacteria, cause stains on teeth. Regular toothbrushing removes bacteria-causing plaque. You don’t need lemons to do that.

Do Lemons Damage Tooth Enamel?

Repeatedly using lemons or regularly eating them will thin tooth enamel. The least abrasive over-the-counter whitening system is Crest 3DWhitestrips. However, the 3DWhitestrips are less effective than professional bleaching gel from a dentist. Ask your dentist about a take-home whitening kit if you want an alternative to in-office whitening.

Carbamide peroxide in bleaching gel penetrates tooth enamel to break down stains and whiten teeth. The gel will not erode tooth enamel unless you overuse it. A dentist can monitor your whitening progress to minimize sensitivity and prevent over-bleaching.

We recommend an exam from a dentist to determine whether teeth whitening is safe for your teeth based on the cause of the stains in them. Otherwise, the dentist will recommend cosmetic dentistry alternatives to address your concerns about tooth stains, spots, or discoloration.

Metairie, Louisiana, dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post.

Dentist or Orthodontist to Reduce My Tooth Gap?

Posted on October 27, 2023 by AllSmiles.

Should I get a cosmetic dentist or an orthodontist to close my gap a little? The gap is between my front teeth, but it’s getting wider by the week. I used to like the gap and saw it as my signature smile. However, it’s getting wider as I age. I don’t want to close the gap completely, nor do I want it to become wide enough to fit another tooth. What are my options for closing a gap? Should I see a cosmetic dentist or an orthodontist to reduce the space? I want teeth whitening afterward, so I know I should see a cosmetic dentist for whitening. Thanks. Anya

Anya– The space between your teeth can be closed with the assistance of a top cosmetic dentist or an orthodontist.

Options for Reducing a Tooth Gap

A skilled cosmetic dentist can explain your options for reducing or closing a tooth gap. Your options may include one or more treatments below:

Dental bonding – Depending on the size of the gap and how much space needs to be reduced, it’s possible that a skilled cosmetic dentist can reduce it with chairside dental bonding. A cosmetic dentist can skillfully apply bonding while you relax in a dental chair. Cosmetics dentist stock bonding in various colors to perfectly match the color and translucence of your natural teeth. The bonding will blend seamlessly with your teeth.
Porcelain veneers – Accredited cosmetic dentists are skilled in matching veneers to natural teeth to reduce or close spaces.
Orthodontic treatment – An orthodontist specializes in tooth and jaw alignment and can provide you with braces. Many cosmetic dentists also offer orthodontic treatment—particularly with Invisalign invisible braces.

Schedule consultations with at least two experienced cosmetic dentists. They will briefly examine your gap and let you know your options for reducing it in a way that looks completely natural and complements your smile. You must complete teeth whitening before dental bonding or porcelain veneers to ensure the veneers or bonding match your bright smile.

Dr. Duane Delaune of Metairie, Louisiana, sponsors this post. Read why Dr. Delaune’s patients consider him one of the best dentists in town.

A Front-Tooth Porcelain Veneer Is Too White

Posted on October 6, 2023 by AllSmiles.

Last month, I got porcelain veneers on my 4 top front teeth. One veneer is much whiter than the others and looks slightly thicker. Also, all the Lumineers are lighter than my natural teeth. It’s so embarrassing. My dentist and I talked for a long time about this, but she says the veneer will darken with time. Aren’t they supposed to match now? Should I insist on a new veneer or ask for a refund? Thank you.

Gayle – Yes, your new Lumineers and natural teeth should match. Veneers should blend in with your natural teeth’s size and shape.

Porcelain veneer

Porcelain is colorfast, which means your veneers can’t be made lighter or darker after they have been crafted. You and your dentist should agree upon the shade of your veneers before crafting a wax model.

Speak with your dentist about correcting the color and thickness of the too-white veneer and whitening your teeth to match the porcelain veneers closer. If your dentist hesitates, we recommend scheduling a consultation with an advanced cosmetic dentist for the following services:

Whiten your natural teeth – It is possible a skilled cosmetic dentist can whiten your natural teeth to match the color of your porcelain veneers closely. A cosmetic dentist will need to examine your teeth to determine if you are a candidate for teeth bleaching. If you are, the dentist will explain the results you can expect with whitening and how closely your natural teeth will match the veneers. Ordinarily, you should get teeth whitening before veneers.
Get a new porcelain veneer – Your dentist and ceramist can collaborate to replace the veneer that is whiter than the others.

We strongly suggest taking the time to find an experienced cosmetic dentist. You may want to find a few cosmetic dentists experienced with porcelain veneers and have a consultation with each to compare the options and costs. After you get a second opinion, you can consider speaking with your dentist about fair compensation for having the extra work done by another dentist.

Metairie, Louisiana, dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post.

An Unhealed Sinus Perforation Is Delaying My Treatment Plan

Posted on August 31, 2023 by AllSmiles.

I’ve waited for an upper left sinus perforation after tooth extraction to heal since late May, but I still have symptoms. My next step was to get teeth whitening and four dental implants. I’m concerned that it will be 2025 before my dental work is complete. I don’t think my dentist can control the infection because he keeps prescribing antibiotics, but the infection flares again as soon as I finish the medicine. Should I request a referral to an oral surgeon, or is it too late? – Caleb from NM

Caleb

When a sinus perforation does not heal, it may be delayed by a root tip or bone fragment in your sinus. If your dentist took an X-ray of your sinus, he should be able to see if any foreign objects are lodged, preventing the area from healing.

What Can You Do If a Sinus Perforation Doesn’t Heal?

If a sinus perforation does not heal after tooth extraction, you can ask your dentist to refer you to an otolaryngologist (ENT) doctor. The specialist will examine your X-ray to determine whether a bone fragment or root tip remains in the sinus, interfering with healing.

Dental implant with crown, abutment, and implant screw identified

Dental implants need the support of healthy gums and bone

If you have a foreign object lodged in your sinus, the ENT will take these steps:

Remove the fragment, root tip, or other object
Suture the perforation
Prescribe antibiotics to clear the infection

After treatment from the ENT and confirmation that the area has healed, you can resume your dentist’s treatment plan for teeth whitening and dental implants. We recommend getting a second opinion from an advanced implant dentist to determine whether you need bone grafting or sinus augmentation before dental implant surgery.

Although you are understandably anxious to complete your smile makeover, please patiently wait for healing. Dental implants require healthy jawbone and surrounding tissues to ensure the implants and bone integrate. Otherwise, you may experience dental implant failure, which can further delay treatment, sometimes requiring alternative forms of tooth replacement.

Metairie, Louisiana, dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post.

How Can I Whiten My Teeth After Braces?

Posted on June 29, 2023 by AllSmiles.

I should be finished with braces in October. How can I whiten my teeth after the braces are off? My teeth were yellow before the braces, and now they look spotty and yellow. Which whitening strips or toothpaste should I use? – Thanks, Ahmed from VA

Ahmed,

Upper and lower teeth whitening trays with bleaching gel syringe tips on either side

Teeth whitening trays and bleaching gel syringes. Only whiten your teeth with a dentist’s supervision.

Thank you for your questions. Wearing braces can cause various teeth stains. Only when a dentist identifies the source of the stains and recommends treatment should you whiten your teeth at home. Your efforts can make the stains more noticeable. Also, whitening strips and whitening toothpaste will have limited results.

How Can You Whiten Your Teeth After Braces?

Professional whitening from a dentist is the best way to whiten your teeth after braces. Most dentists offer in-office and take-home whitening. The advantages of professional whitening include the following:

Source of the stains – A dentist will examine your teeth to identify the causes of the stains. If your teeth are yellow and spotty, you have experienced decalcification beneath your braces and yellowing over time. A cosmetic dentist may recommend more than one cosmetic treatment for your teeth.
Anticipate the results – Without training, you cannot predict the effects of bleaching gel on your teeth, but a dentist can. Bleaching can make some stains more noticeable.
Targeted whitening – If you are a candidate for teeth whitening, a dentist will take impressions of your teeth for custom bleaching trays. Either you will you the trays for take-home whitening or touch-ups after in-office whitening.
In-office whitening – You can get rapid results with an hour of dental whitening in the office. You can continue whitening at home if you want your teeth brighter.
Treatment options other than bleaching gel – As the next section explains, bleaching gel may not be enough to remove teeth stains after braces.

Cosmetic Dentistry for Teeth Stains After Braces

Improving teeth stains after braces may include more than one cosmetic treatment, such as the following:

Teeth whitening – Removes surface and embedded stains
Remineralization – Stops demineralization and loss of tooth enamel
Composite restoration – Tooth-colored resin repairs damage to your tooth enamel
Microabrasion – Improves appearance by sanding and polishing tooth enamel

Dr. Duane Delaune of Metairie, Louisiana, sponsors this post. Read why Dr. Delaune’s patients consider him one of the best dentists in town.

What Causes Jaw Numbness After Wisdom Teeth Removal?

Posted on May 15, 2023 by AllSmiles.

Is it normal to have severe jaw numbness after wisdom teeth removal? I already contacted my oral surgeon and dentist. It will be two weeks since I got the surgery. The oral surgeon did sensation tests and asked me to return in two weeks. I notice the sensation most when I eat, chew, or brush my teeth. Because of this, I canceled my in-office teeth whitening and the beginning date for braces. Will I be stuck like this? – Thanks. Dakota

Hi, Dakota,

Thank you for contacting Dr. Delaune’s office in Metairie regarding jaw numbness after wisdom teeth removal.

What Causes Jaw Numbness After Wisdom Teeth Removal?

Nerve damage causing lingering jaw numbness after wisdom teeth removal. Most surgeons evaluate the risk of nerve damage during surgery. The nerve that travels to your lower teeth, chin, and lower lip is close to the roots of your lower wisdom teeth.

Is Jaw Numbness After Wisdom Teeth Removal Permanent?

How long jaw numbness lasts can depend on the type of nerve damage. Below are the classifications and what to expect:

Bruising – You will feel numbness for about a month, after which the feeling will return progressively.
Crushing – You will feel numbness for a year as the nerve grows new fibers.
Severing – A severed nerve will not regrow, and the damage is permanent.

What Can You Expect?

If you have nerve damage, expect it to last at least a month. You may not feel improvement before your follow-up appointment with the oral surgeon.

As the nerve recovers, you will feel lip tingling first and gradual improvement. Meanwhile, patiently wait for the nerve to heal.

Talk to your dentist about rescheduling your teeth whitening treatment. Your orthodontist will consult with the oral surgeon to assess your recovery and when it is safe to begin treatment.

Metairie, Louisiana, dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post.

Could a Pulp Cap Work for My Tooth?

Posted on October 29, 2022 by AllSmiles.

Last month, my dentist filled two cavities. While removing the decay from the third tooth, he mistakenly exposed the pulp. He stopped trying to remove the decay and used a pulp cap to avoid root canal treatment. Before that visit, I had not heard of a pulp cap, but I had to decide rather quickly because the pulp was exposed. My dentist explained the procedure to me and e-mailed some material to me. I want another dentist’s opinion on this, though. How do I know that the pulp cap will work? Are there any symptoms I should watch that might signal cap failure and that I will need a root canal anyway? Also, how long does this take? I was supposed to begin teeth whitening in two weeks and have it completed before my wedding. Thank you. Cecelia from Springfield, MA

Cecelia,

Thank you for choosing our office for your question.

We will give you and our readers some background on a pulp cap.

What Is a Direct Pulp Cap?

A direct pulp cap is a procedure to protect entirely or partially exposed tooth pulp. The process allows the dentin (the layer beneath tooth enamel) to grow back and cover the pulp. It can save you time and money and help you avoid root canal treatment.

When Do You Need a Pulp Cap?

You might need a pulp cap if tooth pulp (living tissue and nerves) is exposed during decay removal. Your dentist may be able to prevent damage with a pulp cap if the pulp is not infected. Saving tooth pulp can help avoid the need for root canal treatment.

What Is the Pulp Cap Procedure?

During a pulp cap procedure, a dentist will take these steps::

Remove tooth decay
Apply a cotton pellet to the tooth to stop bleeding
Clean and dry the tooth
Ensure the pulp is healthy
Apply a biocompatible material over the pulp to seal out the infection
Apply and bond composite filling in the tooth

If a dentist leaves decay in the tooth, it can grow slowly and infect the tooth eventually. If you are not experiencing any symptoms, we recommend not doing anything to the tooth. And if you remain symptom-free, your dentist can x-ray the tooth to see if it is still healthy. A toothache, sensitivity, or swollen gums are symptoms and signs of an infection leading to root canal treatment. Otherwise, your tooth should be healthy. After your tooth begins to heal, your dentist can give you an estimate of when you can start whitening your teeth.

Dr. Duane Delaune, a Metairie, Louisiana, accredited cosmetic dentist, sponsors this post.

How Much Teeth Whitening Is Too Much?

Posted on September 13, 2022 by AllSmiles.

Can I whiten my teeth too much? My dentist told me to wait six months before repeating zoom whitening. She said I could damage my teeth if I overdid it, but I wanted to see how white my teeth could get. I have been bleaching my teeth every two weeks for four months. I felt some sensitivity in my teeth and went to the dentist. After examining my teeth, my dentist asked me about whitening, and when I told her that I had been whitening every two weeks for four months, she asked me to stop. She also said that she would not complete another in-office whitening session unless it was necessary. I was hoping to get another in-office session in December for the holidays. Is my dentist correct? Do I need to stop whitening my teeth? Thank you. Torri

Torri,

Thank you for your question. Your dentist examined your teeth and asked questions to determine why your teeth are sensitive. Excessive teeth whitening is likely the culprit.

How Much Teeth Whitening Is Too Much?

Teeth whitening is too much when it creates lingering sensitivity and wears away the enamel. Over-bleached teeth can become brittle, thin, and discolored. According to the American Dental Association, factors that affect teeth sensitivity with whitening include:

Concentration of carbamide or hydrogen peroxide
How long the bleaching gel is in contact with your teeth
Intensity and duration of light use
Presence of adhesive restorations

If your dentist recommends that you pause at-home and in-office whitening, it may be time to give your teeth a break to avoid damaging them.

How Can You Prevent Teeth Stains?

Although you cannot prevent teeth stains altogether, you can minimize them. Limit or avoid the things that can increase staining, including:

Coffee
Cola
Dark berries
Smoking
Wine

Rinse your mouth with water immediately after consuming substances that stain teeth. It will dilute the ingredients and limit their staining effectiveness.

If you do not fully understand why your dentist recommends a pause in teeth whitening, contact her to request more information.

Metairie, Louisiana dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post.

Why Do I Need Another Root Canal If I Take Care of My Teeth?

Posted on February 4, 2022 by AllSmiles.

I have two root canal teeth, and during my last visit, my dentist said I would soon need a third one. The first two root canals were completed after filling failed. I grind my teeth, and my dentist said I need another root canal on a cracked tooth that grinding may have caused. I have a night guard, but sometimes I forget to wear it at night. Other than that, I floss my teeth daily and brush them morning and night. Unfortunately, I must delay getting my teeth whitened until after the root canal. I don’t understand what I need to do to avoid root canals in the future. Are some people’s teeth more at risk for root canals? – Thanks. Monroe from Rhode Island

Monroe,

The problems you describe with your teeth are not uncommon. Preparing a tooth for filling requires removing some tooth structure, weakening the tooth. The tooth can become sensitive. And if you grind your teeth, they will experience even more stress. Try these suggestions.

How Can You Avoid Future Root Canal Treatment?

You can minimize the need for future root canal treatments through at-home care and finding a dentist knowledgeable about the latest techniques for preserving teeth.

Wear your night guard – In addition to practicing diligent oral hygiene at home, wear your night guard regularly. A night guard protects your teeth from the forces of grinding.
Avoid frequent snacking – Snacking throughout the day releases acid in your mouth that breaks down tooth enamel and weakens teeth. Although some people think brushing their teeth after snacking is the solution, it is not because brushing teeth while they are weak can further wear tooth enamel.
Look for high-quality dental care – A dentist with a commitment to continuing education and the latest techniques will provide work to improve your oral health and keep your teeth strong. If you do need fillings or restorative work, a skilled dentist will use techniques that minimize the impact on your tooth structure.

Although you need a third root canal treatment, if your dentist is not conservative in his treatment, we suggest that you get a second opinion. Root canal treatment weakens teeth, and if your tooth needs a crown afterward, conservatively preparing it will help preserve it. Also, talk to the dentist about your plans for teeth whitening and ask how you can minimize sensitivity during treatment.

Dr. Duane Delaune, a Metairie, Louisiana cosmetic dentist, sponsors this post.

Using Invisalign as a Retainer

Posted on May 30, 2021 by writeradmin.

I am finishing up my Invisalign treatment. I have two sets of aligners left. I have to move rather quickly to another state and will be quite busy once I arrive. My sister and her young son were just diagnosed with cancer, though they have two different cancers. I was coming to help anyway, but now her husband was in a car accident and he is in a wheelchair and will be for several months. I need to leave immediately. My boss has given me permission to work remotely. The only thing I don’t have worked out is how to do the Invisalign. I will have no time to find a new dentist. Do you have any recommendations?

Kathy

Dear Kathy,

Invisalign Aligner

First, let me express how sorry I am for all that you and your family are enduring at the moment, as well as how grateful I am that you are doing all you can to help them. I am sure it brings them some peace of mind. The first thing I would do is call your dentist and ask him to provide you with your last two sets of your Invisalign aligners. Assuming your case has had nothing unusual and everything is going according to plan, he should not have any problem with that at all.

That is the easy part. the tricky part comes after you are done with your treatment. You will need to wear a retainer, unless you want your teeth to go right back to the way they were before their treatment. The good news is, there is a way to do this without you having to take time out to see a dentist. Your final pair of aligners can double as a retainer if you follow these directions and take good care of them.

Using Invisalign as a Retainer

The first step will be to wear them all the time for a month. Once the month has passed, then start backing off. You can wear them nights only for a month or two. After that, try every other night. Directly after the first time you were without them for two days, I’d like you to do a little test. When you put the aligners back in, if they are a little harder to put on I suggest you go back to wearing them every night for a couple more weeks, then try again.

Once they remain in place, you can wear them every other night for a month then retest to see how that is going. If they are fine, you can go to wearing them once a week. Always repeat the test mentioned above before any change, backing off a little more after each stable pass. Eventually, you won’t need them at all.

I would still keep the aligners even after you are done with them for two reasons. First, you can periodically check to see that no shifting has happened. Second, they are great for doubling as teeth whitening trays. When you do get to a new dentist, he can provide you with whitening gel. This will allow you to keep your teeth youthful and bright at a fraction of the cost.

Best of everything to you and your family.
This blog is brought to you by New Orleans Dentist Dr. Duane Delaune.