Too Much of a Good Thing Could Be a Problem

Do you want whiter teeth? Who doesn’t? While achieving whiter teeth is a goal for many people, for others, it becomes an obsession and can turn into a dangerous situation that costs time, money and tooth enamel. The situation is known as bleachorexia and is a very real problem for many people.

What Is Bleachorexia?

Bleachorexia is defined as an unhealthy obsession or over-fascination with tooth whitening. It is classified as a form of body dysmorphia. For individuals affected by bleachorexia, they feel that although their teeth are already white, their teeth are not white enough so they must continue to use tooth whiteners to achieve their vision of their smile.

Bleachorexia can cause individuals to seek out and use alternative methods to obtain the “ultimate smile”, such as charcoal toothpaste and whitening products containing high levels of bleaching agents and not approved by the FDA.

Some of the dangers of over-whitening the teeth include:

Changing colors. Excessive whitening of the teeth could make them turn an unnatural shade or become translucent.
Erosion of tooth enamel. Overuse of bleaching products could result in tooth enamel erosion, which can lead to pain, tooth sensitivity and changes to the core structure of the teeth. If this occurs, you may be facing the need for porcelain veneers, crowns, and other restorative treatments so you can live pain-free.
Receding gums. Bleaching agents don’t just touch the teeth, they also touch the gums and other structures of the mouth, too. Products that are too strong can cause the gums to recede and even burn the soft tissue in the mouth.

Can You Achieve Whiter Teeth Safely?

Absolutely, yes, you can. However, the best way to whiten is under the supervision of a dentist. Dr. Korous offers patients safe, in-office whitening procedures and take-home whitening products with professional-grade bleaching agents to help you achieve the smile you want safely. Learn more about our tooth whitening options by calling Millennium Smiles at 972-987-4899.

Want Whiter Teeth? Try These Foods!

Want a bright, white smile? Who doesn’t? If you’re like most people, you want your pearly whites to look, well, pearly. One way to keep your teeth looking great is to brush and floss regularly and to visit Millennium Smiles for regular cleanings. Another way to keep teeth looking bright is to avoid foods that can leave them stained, such as wine, coffee, tea, and some fruits. However, did you know that eating certain foods can help to whiten your teeth, too?

Whiten Teeth with These Foods Teeth – Naturally!

Consider Crunchy Foods. Crunchy and fibrous foods such as carrots, celery, and apples require much chewing, and as a result, their fibrous pulp helps to scrub away sticky dental plaque and polish stains away from your tooth enamel. Broccoli, especially, serves a natural toothbrush and helps to brush away stains.

Don’t Forget About Dairy Products. Dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese contain lactic acid which can help whiten your teeth and lighten stains. Do you love cheese? If so, you’ll be happy to know that eating cheese yields an additional benefit for your teeth; cheese can affect the pH balance of the mouth and make it unfriendly for decay-causing bacteria.

Think About Citrus Fruit. Citrus fruit such as oranges and grapefruit can help brighten your teeth because citric acid can neutralize decay-causing bacteria, too. However, a word of caution before you start stocking up on citrus – too much citric acid can cause damage to your tooth enamel.

Stop and Eat Strawberries. Strawberries? Yes, strawberries. Although these favorite-of-many-fruits seem to stain everything else, the malic acid found in strawberries acts a natural whitening agent against stains.

Choose Chocolate. Yep, chocolate. Specifically, dark chocolate. Why dark chocolate? Dark chocolate contains antioxidants that work to neutralize that bacteria that cause tooth decay, and an alkaloid known as theobromine that can help repel stains.

Stay Hydrated. By now, you probably know that staying hydrated can help protect your health and keep your body systems functioning properly. But, did you know that water helps keep your teeth looking great, too? Yes! Water helps by rinsing away foods and drinks that cause staining.

Do you want whiter teeth? Call Millennium Smiles today for more information about tooth whitening and other cosmetic treatments.

Whiter and Brighter Smiles in 2017

Are you looking for an effective way to improve your smile and boost your confidence? Professional teeth whitening can take years off of your smile by brightening and whitening your teeth. Frisco cosmetic dentist Dr. Dunia Korous offers customized take home or in-office teeth whitening treatments for your convenience.

Teeth Whitening Frisco, TX

Teeth whitening is an economical, quick and virtually pain-free dental treatment for the cosmetic improvement of your smile. Professional teeth whitening systems offer superior results in comparison to over the counter options. For a cost-effective smile makeover, more patients ask for teeth whitening treatments than any other cosmetic procedure.

Our Frisco dentist office implements only the latest in dental technology and materials so you may enjoy your optimal oral health. Millennium Smiles teeth whitening options use professional grade materials that are custom fit to your smile. Custom-fit trays help to reduce irritation to gums and will help to minimize tooth sensitivity often associated with teeth whitening treatment. Our professional teeth whitening procedures will distribute the bleaching agent to your teeth for an even, bright, white smile.

Maintain Your Smile

Help maintain your new smile by avoiding tooth staining substances. Coffee, wine, tea, and tobacco can all reverse the effects of teeth whitening. Using these substances in moderation can help to keep your teeth whiter for longer.

Whitening your teeth can make your smile appear younger, and help you feel more confident in social and professional settings. Sharing your confident smile more often can help improve your quality of life and may even help you live longer! Some studies show that smiling more often can increase your life by up to seven years.

Schedule Your Appointment

Dr. Korous approaches dentistry with compassionate quality dental care for her patients’ optimal oral health. Each visit to Millennium Smiles begins with an individualized and comprehensive oral health exam in order to address the root of your dental concerns. Dr. Korous will help you build a healthy oral foundation for a life long beautiful and functional smile. Contact our Frisco dental office to find out how Dr. Korous and our compassionate dental care team can help restore your smile.

Whiten Your Smile and Boost Your Confidence

Teeth whitening is one of the easiest ways to take years off of your smile and boost your confidence in your overall appearance. Perfect for that reunion, wedding or other special occasion, teeth whitening can be an economical smile makeover for many patients.

Millennium Smiles in Frisco, TX offers teeth whitening as both an in office treatment or a customized take home option. Our cosmetic dentist uses high quality, professional teeth whitening products as an in office option, providing great results in about one hour. They are specially formulated to reduce the side effect of increased sensitivity that is often associated with a whitening procedure.

Patients can also choose to brighten their smile easily and conveniently in the comfort of their own home- revealing a whiter smile in about 2 weeks time. Providing results far superior to over the counter options readily available, our professional teeth whitening kit will include bleaching trays made to fit your unique smile from impressions of your teeth taken in our dental office. These custom fit trays will ensure an even distribution of the professional quality bleaching agent for maximum results. They also serve to minimize contact with the soft tissues of the mouth, reducing sensitivity and irritation of the gums.

Teeth whitening is effective for most patients and common tooth staining or darkening caused by aging and lifestyle habits. There are, however, several types of tooth stains that may not respond to a teeth whitening treatment: stains that are the result of certain medical conditions or medications can be difficult to reverse. For patients with these types of stains, your Millennium Smiles dentist may recommend alternate cosmetic treatment options that will not only whiten your smile but provide more permanent results:

  • Dental veneers
  • Tooth bonding
  • Dental crowns

Maintain your results with periodic touch ups and avoiding lifestyle habits that stain tooth enamel such as smoking and consuming dark beverages (coffee, tea, red wine).

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