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Life Smiles Dental Care is OPEN to help you with your routine care. In response to the spread of COVID-19, to keep our communities safe we are taking numerous precautions. We are here to help you at Life Smiles Dental Care with all your dental needs. You may either call (602) 786-5484 or contact us through Virtual Consultation to book an appointment.

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New Patients: (602) 786-5484

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4611 E Shea Blvd, Ste 250
Phoenix , AZ 85028 | Direction

What you need to know about teeth whitening treatment in Phoenix, AZ

Facts about teeth whitening treatment in Phoenix, AZ

Our country is in the midst of a teeth whitening trend, and for good reason. In the care of an experienced dental professional, whitening is an economical way to give teeth a healthy-looking boost that brings confidence to your smile. The dentists at Life Smiles Dental Care in Phoenix, AZDr. Paul Nielson and Dr. Timothy Schmidt share this helpful information for those considering treatment.

Why teeth get dingy

Most people have bright baby teeth, and secondary teeth also come in sparkly white . . . initially. Then life happens. A combination of diet, lifestyle habits, medical conditions, and the passing of time tarnishes the smile.

The primary culprits for yellow, brown, or other dark discoloration are:

  • Stains – Coffee, tea, red wine, and other dark beverages and foods, consumed with regularity, leave pigments trapped in microscopic pits and grooves in tooth enamel. Although not necessarily staining themselves, acidic drinks like white wine and citrus juice etch enamel, allowing pigments to embed.
  • Tobacco – Nicotine is colorless, but when it combines with oxygen, it turns yellow, and your teeth do, too. E-cigarettes with nicotine are also staining. Tobacco contains tar which is absorbed by pores in tooth enamel, turning teeth brown. Brown pigments from chewing tobacco mix with saliva, dying teeth just as Easter eggs soak up food coloring.
  • Genetics – The base color of tooth enamel, much like hair or eye color, is inherited. Some people just have naturally darker teeth.
  • Old dental work – Silver-colored amalgam fillings show through dentin and enamel, making teeth look gray. Tooth-colored fillings and crowns eventually become dull and discolored.
  • Health conditions – Certain illnesses, medications, and therapies impact tooth color. The antibiotic, tetracycline, is a common example. Taken during childhood, it turns the insides of teeth gray.
  • Fluoride – Some people take oral fluoride supplements in an attempt to strengthen teeth, but too much causes fluorosis – white or brown stains on enamel.
  • Trauma – A single tooth may darken at the core from a fall or blow to the face.
  • Age – Dentin is a strong layer of tooth structure that lies just under enamel. Through years of chewing and brushing, enamel thins, allowing the yellowish dentin to show through. Plus, teeth are living entities. As they continue to renew themselves internally, the new dentin is darker.

 

We are here to help Call us at: New Patients (602) 786-5484 and Existing Patients (602) 404-7266 or request an appointment

 

Two kinds of stains

conditions that affect the color of teeth fall into one of two categoriesAll the above conditions that affect the color of teeth fall into one of two categories – intrinsic stains or extrinsic stains.

Intrinsic literally means “contained wholly within.” Thus, intrinsic stains are inside the tooth. You may have thought that bleaching lightens the hard outer enamel surface of teeth, but in truth it soaks through pores, into the dentin. When the inner part of the tooth becomes lighter, it reflects out through enamel, brightening the smile.

Extrinsic is defined as “not part of something’s essential nature, but rather coming from the outside.” Extrinsic stains lie on the exterior surfaces of teeth. They are best removed with a thorough professional cleaning and polish, with teeth bleaching as a finishing touch.

Multiple methods

At Life Smiles Dental Care, whitening is tailored to your teeth, lifestyle, schedule, and budget.

Zoom! light-activated whitening is an excellent choice when you need a dramatic change, fast. It is performed in the dental chair, ideally right after a cleaning. The painless procedure takes about an hour and a half. You leave the office with a noticeably brighter smile (and a spring in your step).

The KöR Deep Bleaching system is a little more involved but delivers exceptional, long-lasting results. A two-week daily home bleaching routine culminates with a powerful in-office session that tackles even deep intrinsic stains.

Most patients are extremely pleased with whitening results and want to keep their smiles gleaming. The dentist may recommend periodic re-treatment at home. With custom-fit application trays and prescription strength bleaching gel, your brilliant results can last indefinitely.

Before you waste money on ineffective retail bleaching products or risk damaging teeth with abrasive toothpaste, it is important to get the facts about teeth whitening treatment in Phoenix, AZ. You have more options than you think, with the safety assurance of a trained dental team.

Call Life Smiles Dental in Phoenix, AZ at (602) 786-5484 to learn more about teeth whitening treatment.

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Dr. Paul Nielson, DDS, MAGD earned a zoology degree from Brigham Young University before completing dental studies at University of Washington, Seattle. He has practiced dentistry for over a decade, and has followed continuing education to exceed the state’s licensing requirements. He’s a Master in the Academy of General Dentistry and holds membership in many professional associations. He’s especially interested in implant, cosmetic and sedation dentistry; and full mouth rehabilitation.
Dr. Timothy Schmidt, DMD, FAGD studied in Utah and Oregon, before serving at University of Washington School of Dentistry as an affiliate instructor. Then he returned to Arizona to serve his local community. As a member of several prestigious dental organizations, he aims to provide comfortable treatments delivering natural-looking and long-lasting results. He aims to raise dental healthcare standards through ongoing education, new technologies and by listening to patients’ concerns.
Dr. Jared Bishop earned his undergraduate degree at Brigham Young University in Utah, after which he completed his dental school training at Midwestern University in Glendale. Having completed a 1 year residency, Dr. Bishop was also honored to practice dentistry in the U.S. Army for 5 years. As a member of the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Dental Association, and the Arizona Dental Association, Dr. Bishop keeps up with current dental technology, techniques, and materials to provide his patients with the highest standard of care.

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