Is Tooth Whitening Safe for Your Teeth?

Tooth whitening is one of the most common cosmetic dental treatments. Many patients wonder if it can harm their teeth. When done properly under professional care, whitening is safe and effective. The risks are low when you use products approved by your dentist.

What to Know About Sensitivity and Enamel

Some people experience temporary sensitivity after whitening. This usually fades within a few days and does not cause lasting damage. Professional whitening products are designed to protect your enamel while lifting surface stains. Your dentist will monitor the process to keep your teeth and gums safe.

Why Choose Professional Whitening

Over-the-counter products are easy to find, but they can be unpredictable and sometimes abrasive. In-office whitening is tailored to your needs and uses safe, controlled ingredients. At Song Dental, we offer trusted options that brighten your smile while protecting your oral health. Talk to us about the best whitening solution for you.

Pain from Flossing

Some people experience pain when they floss. In many cases, the simple act of flossing can quickly draw blood from your gums. Should this be your experience, don’t make the mistake of using it as an excuse to stop flossing; counterintuitive as it may be, you’ll be better off muscling through the pain.

Some patients may also experience swollen gums and minor throbbing in addition to bleeding gums. Effects may differ with each patient.

Also, check with Dr. Song to see if you are flossing correctly. It may help if you learn the correct techniques of flossing.

The pain and bleeding that occurs during flossing is not going to go away if you stop flossing. If you keep up a regular, once-a-day flossing schedule, you should find that the pain and bleeding diminishes over time while your sensitive tissues become stronger. However, if your gums have already begun to succumb to gingivitis, you may need more help to overcome your problem.

Contact our Lynnwood dentist, Dr. Song, for additional information and get your dental check-up and cleaning.

One of the most common forms of dental injury is the chipped tooth. Whether you get struck in the face, or simply bit down on the wrong item, a broken tooth can be a big problem for your oral health. You will want to bring your chipped tooth to our Lynnwood dentistry clinic as soon as you can to get it fixed.

The process of repairing a chipped tooth is going to depend on the extent of the damage. In general, so long as the sensitive pulp inside your tooth has not been damage, it’s a simple matter of rebuilding your tooth with a crown or similar structure. If the chip is deep enough to damage the pulp, however, you may need to have a root canal along with either a crown or veneer. Consult our dentist for more information.

Stress can take its toll on your entire body, and your mouth is no exception. This is why our Lynnwood dentistry clinic advises that you make a little room in your life for rest and relaxation, for the sake of your oral health. The potential effects of stress on your mouth include all of the following:

• Clenching or grinding your teeth
• Sores in the mouth, including canker sores and cold sores
• Aggravation in gum disease
• Nervous habits like chewing on your nails, chewing ice, or other objects
• Overeating, particularly of sugary comfort foods
• Depression, which causes you to neglect your dental care routine

Prevention is Key

Why is it important for you and your family to visit our Lynnwood dentistry clinic every year? Many people neglect their regular dental appointments because they think that their mouths feel fine and their teeth look great.

However, there is more to a dental visit than giving yourself a cleaning. When you come in to see your dentist, you’re getting all of the following benefits:

Early Detection of Cavities

Tooth decay happens gradually, and you’re not likely to notice it until it’s too late. Only sophisticated dental equipment can give you the early warning you need to reliably prevent serious damage.

Early Detection of Gum Disease

Much like tooth decay, gingivitis happens gradually and can only be reliably detected by a trained eye.

Early Detection of Oral Cancer

Ninety percent of oral cancer cases can be treated if found at an early stage. Your dentist has the means to determine whether or not you have oral cancer.

Tooth Grinding Prevention

It’s possible that you or your children grind your teeth without even noticing it. A dentist can spot the warning signs and save you from costly damage.

Medication Assessment

Periodically, you may be required to take a new form of medication that can have a negative impact on your oral health. You will want to inform your dentist of this medication so as to properly assess any risks and take appropriate actions.

Teeth Gap

Different people have different mouths. Some people’s teeth are very close together, while others have sizeable gaps between their teeth. Occasionally, people will come to our Lynnwood dentistry clinic with concerns about the size of the gaps between their teeth: what is too wide, or what is too narrow?

The good news is that it is a myth that a wide gap between your teeth leads to cavities. In fact, when your teeth are far apart, they’re easier to clean and less likely to get food caught between them. Teeth that are particularly close together, by contrast, can be very difficult to floss effectively and may be slightly more susceptible to decay.

The concern you need to have when your teeth are separated by sizeable gaps is that this is probably a sign that your teeth are coming in crooked. You may have a weak bite, or one of your teeth may be crowding another. Consult your dentist about your own teeth, and whether or not it may be advisable to fit yourself with braces, bridge work, or another dental solution.

Every so often, you may get something stuck in between your teeth that is harder to get out than the average corn husk or piece of spinach. It’s a particular problem if you have a larger gap between some of your teeth where pieces of food could get lodged while eating.

This is a relatively simple dental problem to deal with, but it’s important that you do it right in order to avoid more significant issues. It can possibly cause further damage to your gums and teeth.

The mistake that many people will make is attempting to dislodge a stuck item with a sharp object. Unfortunately, such an object can be harmful to your mouth. Not only are you likely to irritate your sensitive gum tissues, but you also run the risk of scratching away some of the thin tooth enamel that protects the rest of your tooth from decay.

Contact Song Dental

If you have something stuck between your teeth that you cannot get out with ordinary floss, it may be necessary to call our Lynnwood dentistry clinic.

Do you need to have your wisdom teeth extracted? Are you concerned about the procedure? After you get your wisdom teeth extracted, you will have to go through a brief recovery period. For most people, this period is going to be only a few days.

Healing Process Tips

During this time, you will want to take special measures to expedite the healing process:

• Periodically bite down gently on a gauze pad to check for bleeding. If you’re still showing blood twenty-four hours after your operation, contact the dentist.
• When you lie down, prop your head up. Lying flat can encourage bleeding.
• Avoid sucking, as this can loosen your blood clot and cause bleeding. This includes sucking on a straw or a cigarette.
• Favor soft foods, and gradually introduce solid foods as you recover.
• Apply an ice pack on the outside of your cheek for fifteen to twenty minutes at a time in the first twenty-four hours. After that, switch to a warm washcloth for the next two or three days.
• After the first twenty-four hours, rinse your mouth out with warm salt water a few times a day to help with any pain or swelling you may experience.
• Take it easy; too much physical activity can cause bleeding.

Contact Song Dental in Lynnwood

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Song Dental. If you think you may need to remove your wisdom teeth, make an appointment with us for a consultation.