Cleaning & Whitening
Dentist Merrillville, IN
Bi-annual Dental Cleanings
Regular dental cleanings remove the tartar, plaque, and stains that naturally collect on and in-between teeth. Even with regular brushing and flossing, these substances can build up, cause decay and gum disease, and discolor your teeth. Bi-annual cleanings by a dental hygienist can also improve your overall health. During cleanings, dentists screen for oral cancers, gum disease, tooth decay, and bite problems.
Regular cleanings may even help prevent stroke and heart disease. The dentists and hygienists of Premier Dental Group use a variety of tools to clean your teeth. X-rays help identify problem areas and decay present on the teeth. Dental mirrors help them see into hard-to-reach areas of your mouth to ensure a complete examination and cleaning. Ultrasonic tools are used to help loosen tartar.
How It Works
Curettes, or scalers, are used to remove finer deposits on the teeth. Finally, low-speed polishers with curved rubber tips are used with a grainy, toothpaste-like solution to smooth and shine the teeth. Often, cleanings are completed with a fluoride treatment to help prevent further decay.
Dentists also take advantage of these 6-month check-ups to educate patients on good oral care, proper nutrition, smoking cessation, and follow-up treatment plans. Call Premier Dental Group to make an appointment for your 6-month visit today.
Teeth Whitening
Tooth enamel is composed of microscopic crystalline rods, which over time, can break down and become more transparent, allowing the yellowish dentin inside your teeth to show through. Food and debris also become trapped in the enamel, darkening and staining the teeth. Certain substances, such as tobacco, red wine, coffee, soda, and dark-colored fruits and vegetables, are more likely to stain teeth. Tooth whitening removes this food and debris, lightening the color of your teeth and restoring their natural shine.
At-home tooth whitening kits rely on a low-concentration of bleach in gel form, typically used with a mouthguard tray, and whiten teeth gradually. In-office whitening is performed at your dentist’s office. It’s also known as chairside whitening and uses a stronger concentration of bleaching agent. In-office whitening delivers faster, more dramatic results than at-home whitening. It is also more reliable, and your dentist can help guard against the gum irritation and temporary tooth sensitivity sometimes caused by tooth whitening.
When you visit your dentist for whitening, a protective, rubber-like gel will first be applied to your gums to guard against irritation. A bleaching agent will then be applied to your teeth. Your dentist may shine a special light into your mouth to enhance the bleaching action. This process may be repeated to produce the desired results.
Certain types of discolorations and staining cannot be lightened. For example, damage to the teeth, which has caused the dentin to darken, will not respond to bleaching and may even look darker if the surrounding teeth are whitened. Your dentist can advise you if your teeth are likely to respond to whitening.
Whitening is not permanent. As soon as you resume eating and drinking, food, debris, and stains will begin building up on your teeth again. You may also experience increased temporary tooth sensitivity or gum irritation after whitening your teeth. Talk to one of our dentists to determine whether tooth whitening is a good option for you.
Take your smile to the next level by scheduling an appointment with our orthodontist in Merrillville, Indiana.