Posted on

When Bleaching Your Teeth Goes Too Far | Ottawa Dentist

A bright set of pearly whites is a goal for most of us. With the diet most of us keep, it is easy for our teeth to begin to tinge as time goes on. Dark foods and beverages all contribute to the dingy look our smiles have. Thankfully, there are many ways to regain those pearlies with just a bit of effort. From natural to in-office treatments, brightening your smile not only has options, but loads of them.

While in-office treatments have become commonplace in society today, the most widely used oral products today are whitening strips and tray-based over the counter whitening kits. And yes – tooth whitening can be a safe and effective technique, but some individuals are going above the recommendations of their dentists. Therein lies the problem…

Individuals who overdo whitening techniques have noticeably snow-white teeth that oftentimes look unnatural. Some individuals get to the point where their teeth begin to inhibit transparent figures. Overuse of whitening products will cause major tooth sensitivity and leave patients more prone to needing root canal treatments. You may be surprised to know that if you over-whiten your teeth, you are essentially wearing down your enamel and that enamel is naturally tinged in yellow, so you are making your teeth yellow by overdoing the whitening. Talk about a backfire!

But don’t worry – there is hope. If you are looking for a safer, more effective form of teeth whitening, consult your dentist. They will give you an overview of certain procedures and even offer some over the counter techniques that may be used, however only if used correctly.

Schedule your appointment today. Call Dr. Doumit in Ottawa, Ontario at 613-232-8000 or visit www.urbandentalcentre.com.

Dr. Katia Doumit proudly serves Ottawa and all surrounding areas.

Posted on

Brighten Your Smile in the Garden | Ottawa Dentist

We are all on the search for the next great invention to improve ourselves. Sometimes it’s a fad diet, sometimes it’s a new fashion trend, but whatever it is, the goal is to become more attractive to the world around us. And because our smile is the first thing most people notice, finding ways to brighten that smile is definitely one of the main focuses. We visit the dentist for whitening treatments, we buy all of the latest over-the-counter products we can find, but still our smiles continue to stain.

Unfortunately, this is natural for everyone. Many times, our personal choices are leading to these dingy grins. Smoking, drinking dark-colored drinks like coffee or wine all lead to our teeth staining over time, even those carbonated energy drinks aren’t helping the issue as they break down tooth enamel, making way for a yellowish dentin to shine through.

So, what can we do to fix this issue? Proper dental hygiene, visits to the dentist and cutting back on bad habits will all help, but there is also an option you may not have known, a more natural option – visit the produce section.

Ever notice broccoli looks a lot like a toothbrush? When you eat it, these tiny iron-clad veggies give your mouth a quick scrub. Celery is filled with water, which not only gives the bacteria in your mouth a quick rinse, but the strings are very…floss-like. Strawberries have malic acid, which can break down tooth stains and rubbing a banana peel across your teeth can give them a quick polish in a pinch. Mother Nature is pretty awesome, right?

If you would like more information about dental hygiene, call Dr. Katia Doumit in Ottawa, Ontario at 613-232-8000 or visit www.lesplanadedental.com.

Dr. Doumit proudly serves Ottawa and all surrounding areas.