Tooth Discoloration & Tooth Whitening

Now many people are doing teeth whitening in OKC to boost their smile and confidence. Tooth whitening is a procedure that helps to remove discoloration and stains from your teeth. It is one of the most popular dental procedures since it can easily improve the look of your teeth. In fact, most of the dentists are able to do tooth whitening successfully.  However, it is not a one-time solution. If you want to maintain that look, you will have to go through this procedure many times.

What Causes Tooth Discoloration?

Enamel, the outer layer of your teeth, decides your teeth color. The natural color of your teeth is created by the scattering of light off the outer layer by combining with the dentin color under it. Your genes affect the smoothness and thickness of your enamel. With thinner enamel, there will be more color of the dentin. When you have rough enamel, it can affect the color of your teeth.  Thick enamel maintains the tooth natural color for a long.

In addition, thin coating forms on your enamel every day. That picks up the stains easily. Your food habits can also cause tooth stains. Here are a few causes of teeth stains.

  •    Aging can make your enamel thinner resulting in discoloration
  •    Poor oral health
  •    Drinking and eating dark drinks and solids such as coffee, tea, wine, and dark chocolates

You can have stain both inside and outside of your teeth. When there are stains inside, these are called intrinsic stains. You can get these stains due to too much fluoride exposure. Tetracycline antibiotic can also cause inside stain. Even the trauma can result in darken teeth.  Tooth whitening can help to improve the condition. It is an easy procedure. If you want, you can do it at your home. Visiting a dentist might offer you a more effective result.  When the condition is worse, it is better to take the help of a dentist.

If you visit a dentist, he might take the photograph of your teeth to find out the possible causes of stains.  Also, it will help him to monitor the progress.  Once he will find out the cause, he will clean your teeth to remove food, bacteria, and other substances. After this is done, he will start the whitening procedure.

Things to Consider

Tooth whitening is a great option for all those having good oral health. If you have other dental problems, it is suggested to treat the condition before considering whitening. Also, if you have receding gums or tooth decay, whitening might affect your tooth and can make it more sensitive.  It will not work on the veneers, porcelain crowns, or ceramic.

As stated earlier, whitening will not offer a permanent solution. The stains will keep coming back. The possibility and frequency will be more if you smoke or consume stain-causing food and drinks. In fact, it will start fading within a month without proper care. If you avoid the sources of discoloration, it can last six to twelve months.

Reflections Dental Care Also Offers Following Services :

Dental Clinic Midtown OKC

Botox OKC OK

Invisalign In Oklahoma City

Teeth Whitening OKC

Cosmetic Dentistry Oklahoma City OK

Contact US:

Reflections Dental Care
Address:10924 Hefner Pointe DrOklahoma City, OK
Phone: (405) 563-7097

How To Select The Right Orthodontist

What is the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist? There are basic differences between the two professionals. A dentist, in most cases, handles basic dental problems. This could include treating teeth pain, common gum and teeth infections, removing of damaged or decayed teeth and also offering services for cleaning and whitening of teeth. On the other hand, when we talk about a professional and experienced Oklahoma City orthodontist, we are referring to somebody who offers the above services and something more also. They can come in handy when there is a need for correct teeth and gum deformities and other such complicated tasks. But you have to spend time and choose the right service provider. There are quite a few of them and therefore you might end up choosing the right one. We are pleased to share some useful information about the various important points to be considered when it comes to choosing the right orthodontists in Oklahoma and surrounding areas.

Always Set Up An Initial Conversation

The first and foremost point is to believe in personally meeting the orthodontist. In these days of the internet, you could come across strong and pushy advertisements talking big about these professionals. Most of them have their own websites. But, it would be wrong to take a decision based on the information provided therein. You must meet the orthodontists in person. This will help you to get a better idea about the kind of services which they offer. You also will be able to get a reasonably good idea about the facilities and infrastructure which they have.

Do Not Shy Away From Asking Questions

You must not shy away from asking the required questions before hiring these professionals. It does not matter if the orthodontist is the best in the town. What is more important is that he or she should be good enough for your specific needs and requirements. Ask questions about the number of years of experience that they have and the track record which they possess.

Are They Licensed And Qualified

Though this might look a naïve matter, it would be a good idea to check on their qualification and license. This can be done discreetly without having to ask about it directly to the orthodontists. There are institutions and organizations which list down all those orthodontists who have the required qualifications and license. Hence it should not take more than a few minutes to know more about this.

Do They Have The Right Infrastructure

A good orthodontist should be supported and complemented by the right infrastructure and support staff. Before hiring them, it would be advisable for the customers to be sure that they have the right kind of infrastructure and human resources. The Norman orthodontist must be willing to invest in high-quality devices, gadgets, and machinery. This will make diagnosis and treatment easy, predictable and safe.

Finally, the cost is an important attribute which must never be lost sight of. The rates should be reasonable and in line with the market. Customers, however, would be advised to always look for quality rather than being satisfied with the cost of such services offered by orthodontists.

What Services Does A Orthodontist Offer

With so many choices being available, choosing the right Shawnee orthodontist is not an easy task. Before you decide to choose these professionals, there are a few things which need to be put in perspective. First and foremost we need to understand the basic difference between a dentist and orthodontist. Only then will we be able to identify the situations where you will get the best of services from these professionals. We will try and have a look at the various kinds of services which are offered by professional orthodontists.

They Cater To All Segments

Starting from children to aged people, from men to women, these orthodontists offer a wide variety of services. As far as children are concerned, orthodontists offer a wide variety of services. Some of the common problems with children are decaying teeth, weak teeth, and unclean teeth and so on. They help in correcting all these situations which are also taken care of by regular dentists. Additionally, they also come in handy whenever there is a need to correct protruding teeth and gums. These are usually problems which surface when the child is around five to six years. Early diagnosis and use of braces are considered to be effective in correcting the problem. They also could help those who like sophisticated treatments like Invisalign as they are considered to be sophisticated and discreet.

Treatments Offered For Adults

As far as adults are concerned, orthodontists offer a wide variety of services. They could come in handy whenever there is a need to correct a misaligned bite or what is also referred to as malocclusion. Adults also suffer from crowding of teeth or teeth that are spaced apart. These are best corrected by professional orthodontists. They should be corrected early failing which it could lead to tooth decay and also lead to gum diseases and infections.

Improve The Quality Of Smile

In a world where there is a growing demand for looks and appearances, the role of norman orthodontist certainly becomes quite important. They help in case there is a need to affix new tooth or even a number of teeth. They help in straightening crooked teeth, teeth which are partially broken or damaged either due to natural or other reasons and much more.

Other Treatments

Apart from the above, there are other treatments that are also provided by orthodontists. They also offer complicated orthognathic surgeries for healing cleft palates, and also give relief from sleep apnea and other life-threatening situations. They offer the best of experience and expertise and come out with surgeries, corrections and other such issues so that the right solutions can be found without too much of day.

Dentofacial Treatments

Finally, it would be pertinent to mention here that you also orthodontists are the best solutions whenever there is a need for complicated dentofacial treatments. In fine, they could become indispensable whenever there is a need for ensuring free movement of the teeth, gums, and jaws. So, they offer much more services than merely taking care of discolored teeth or extract a decayed or painful tooth. They are often considered as the one stop solution for different types of problems impacting the mouth, teeth, jaws, and gums.

What to Expect from a Good Dentist

There are so many dentists to select from now, how do you identify that you have selected the right one?  For the beginners, the good dentist is much concentrated on what to do instead of what not to do especially when dealing with a patient. If you have a doubt whether you are going to the Best OKC dentist or not, just check out these 10 things which a good dentist does for a patient.

Active Listener: A good dental practitioner always helps in assisting the patients and a good dentist uses a physical technique for taking the total medical history from him and good dentists concentrate much on their listening skills to know the exact problem from the patient. A good doctor listens to the patients’ concern and never neglects a treatment.

Educating the Patient: A patient always expects oral health tips, good habits, medical issues from a dental doctor which they are not aware of. A perfect dentist will be happy to take your time to clear your doubts and help in enhancing your confidence levels and also your smile.

Being Punctual to the Patients: A patient gets frustrated by waiting for a doctor for more than the mentioned time and also for the high cost-effective treatments which are not affordable. Good dentists always maintain punctuality and consider your bottom line while suggesting treatment.

Maintaining an Astonishing Office: The ADA or American Dental Association suggests that a good dentist office is clean, systematic and neat. If you identify any of the old used gloves or dirty instruments which are not stowed, consider that your dentist is contaminating the lab room, which spreads the germs and makes you and your surroundings sick.

Doesn’t Upsell: You actually need a good dentist and not a sales executive? Good dentists don’t upsell you on the costly treatments and products which you don’t need at all.

Knowing More about You: The more time your dentist takes on you can give you the better options and care which works according to medical history. If you experience an impersonal feeling or experience, it may affect the quality and level of care you receive.

Long-Term Relationship: A good dentist always invest his quality time on you to make you a long-term patient like for an appointment, X – rays, regular dental checkups etc., and makes you feel recognized when you are in the home. If your dental doctor considers your appointment as a part-time job, you can look out for some other dentist instead.

Staff Caring: Best OKC Dental Implants doctors not only care about the patients but attentive to the staff members also. The way the dentist interacts with the colleagues and staff can actually give you an idea of a particular doctor’s mood and management style.

Regular Follow-Ups: Some of the dental treatments could be arduous and long, making you feel out of the sorts for few hours. A good dentist will make follow-ups with the patient following a different procedure and making sure that there are no complications after the treatment is done.

Giving Value to You as a Patient: A good dentist knows about the patient personally and will be interested to know their families, lives, and concerns if any and support you in the team of general care.

Reflections Dental Care Also Offers Following Services :

Dental Clinic Midtown OKC

Botox OKC OK

Invisalign In Oklahoma City

Teeth Whitening OKC

Cosmetic Dentistry Oklahoma City OK

 

Invisalign – Advantages And Downsides

In a world where looks are becoming very important for success in personal and career progression, the look and appearance of our teeth are important. Not all of us are born with the best-looking teeth and gums and therefore at some point in time we need to straighten it out and make it look presentable. Even a few decades ago, braces were the only option available. However, this is not the case as far as modern-day options are concerned. Today science and technology have helped us to come out with new methods. There is a growing demand for a more sophisticated solution called invisalign and it would be interesting to know more about it.

What It is All About?

 This is often considered to be one of the best ways by which you can improve the quality of your smile. Unlike the conventional metal braces which many thousands of children are used to in schools, invisalign offers a virtually invisible solution. In other words, the world outside will not know that you are undergoing some correction to align your teeth properly. Hence it has many reasons to become highly popular. We are sharing below a few obvious reasons why it is good to choose this form of teeth straightening.

  •    It is virtually invisible. This goes a long way in not feeling embarrassed when one moves around with this option. It makes them more confident and less self-conscious. Hence it certainly is a big emotional motivator.
  •    It is also removable, unlike traditional braces which can be removed only when you visit a dentist.
  •    It is easier to clean. The conventional braces are notorious because they attract food particles making the process of cleaning quite tough. This is not the case withRichmondinvisalign. It also is painful in many cases.
  •    It is comfortable when compared to traditional metal braces. They are known to cause discomfort, irritation and even pain in some cases. This happens when the metal often comes in contact with the insides of your mouth. On the other hand, invisalign uses smooth plastic metal which does not cause abrasion.

Cons

It should be removed before meals. Dentists recommend that they are removed with each meal of eating process. Only water can be drunk without removing these invisalign braces. This could be a big nuisance for many.

  •    Frequent teeth cleaning are also something which could be irritating for many users of this option.  Regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing are a must with invisalign.
  •    It is expensive. Compared to conventional braces, there is no doubt that invisalign is a more expensive option. Hence, it may not be actually affordable for all those who are looking at cost-effective solutions.

 The Final Word

 When the pros, cons, and features are taken into account there is hardly any doubt that you have many reasons to choose invisalign over others. Though the cost of the process could be a bit higher, it is worth it because it offers a more private and confidential way of treating improper teeth formation. It, however, boils down to personal choices and choosing the right Orthodontist Richmond TX is, of course, vital and critical.

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Handling dental patients’ rights to refuse treatment

Dear Dianne,

I’ve written to you in the past and I always look forward to your advice in RDH magazine because the issues are so relevant in our day-to-day practice life.

My question to you is twofold. We have a conundrum in our office regarding scaling and root planing (SRP). My coworker has taken over for a hygienist who recently retired, and she has found that many of our patients need SRP. The difficult part is getting some patients to agree to treatment. These are longtime patients of the practice who have been informed repeatedly of the need for SRP and have declined time and again.

Here’s the rub. My coworker has told me that she once worked in a practice where they allowed a patient to forego scaling and root planing, and he actually signed a “refusal of treatment” form stating that he was aware of the risks involved in not receiving treatment. It further stated that he would not hold the hygienist or doctor responsible for any negative consequences. Then, when he lost teeth, he sued the practice and won!

My coworker contacted our state board of dentistry, and someone there informed her that failure to provide scaling and root planing to periodontal patients who require this service could result in legal action and loss of our hygiene licenses.

I am very concerned. Now my coworker refuses to treat any patients who have been diagnosed with periodontal disease and refuse scaling and root planing when it has been treatment planned.

New year, new professional fitness: A series for dental hygienists

We’ve all heard it. It’s the most popular cliché this time of year: “New year, new me.” But as we think about next year, we have to look back to last year. Many of us probably had disappointing ends to last year’s resolutions—especially those pertaining to wellness and health. (There are years that I sure have!) But there’s no need to give up. There’s no reason to walk away in defeat. It’s time to get what you want in terms of fitness! In this three-part series, I want to give you the tools and state of mind to get there.

My story

I’m no stranger to pain, and I’m no stranger to body transformation. At one time, I was a dental professional who was unhappy with my fitness. I struggled mightily with musculoskeletal pain. Look at my before-and-after photos. The photo on the left is from 2004. I’m a dental student who is struggling and in pain. But the photo on the right is me now. It shows me years out from dental school. I’m out of pain and back in shape.

As someone who’s been down this unpleasant road, I know what it takes to persevere and get what you want. I also know that no New Year’s resolution will get you the progress you desire just because the calendar year turns over. What will get you there are two things: First, it requires a decision to change. Second, it takes steady, consistent work toward your goal. That’s how it happened for me. I got completely fed up with the state of my body, and I took action to change it. What I learned, I will share.

In 2004, I was in dental school. My fitness had plummeted to an all-time low. My problems began innocently as “a twinge.” It happened when I did a slight twist to pick up a handpiece. Then, the pain started to radiate down my back. As days passed, a feeling that was bothersome became unbearable. It hurt to turn my head. It hurt to sit down. It hurt to study. It hurt to see my patients. Yet, I saw no reason to modify my daily clinical routine or fitness plan.

Life doesn’t stop for hygiene school

 

Dropping out of hygiene school was a difficult decision, but that’s life—sometimes it pitches nasty curveballs. Just after the very first semester of the program, an unexpected incident occurred in my personal life. My fiancé and I were involved in serious and tragic car accident, and unfortunately he was partially at fault.

Things had been great up until that point. I had just been elected vice president of my class and had excelled in my first two classes. I remained in the program until the fall before graduation. The accident had left a mark of uncertainty for my fiancé and me, and we lived in constant fear of the near future. It had been quiet for a little while, almost like the calm before the storm. But as more information rolled in and we began to get a clearer picture of what was ahead, I became more and more overwhelmed and had to make a decision.

At the time, my family was my top priority, and I was at a point where I felt it was impossible to give my full and focused attention to school. I was just past the halfway mark (peak intensity), but the time I had left with my fiancé was ticking before we would be separated for years. Even one mistake has harsh consequences, and the reality was that he was going to serve time for his. He was going to prison, and every kind of preparation was in order. I withdrew from the dental hygiene class of 2017. I remember telling myself and others around me that I was not going back.

But then the year I spent out of school really placed things in perspective. My fiancé’s departure was my breaking point, or in my mind, my “waking” point. I became so focused. Never had I expected that I would be filled with so much drive and determination. I was going back to hygiene school, finishing my degree, and getting my license. It was like I sat alongside while a different person took the wheel. A part of me came out that I didn’t know was there. I had to do it for myself—I had to do it for us.

The physical pain of the helping professions: Musculoskeletal pain and improper ergonomics

Advocate for yourself, do everything in your power to prevent cumulative trauma to your body, and always be prepared for situations over which you have no control. You have the ability to help shape your future.

“Mommy, why are you so mean?” These words were spoken by a child to her mother when she arrived at home from her 11-hour workday in the dental office. When Mom had left the office that day, she didn’t leave her mental and physical stress in the operatory. It had traveled home with her.

She had spent the day hovering over patients while perched upon a rickety operator stool with one half-hour break in the middle of the day. She was overbooked and overworked. Her body and mind had been used and abused by her own doing, and she was completely drained.

Years of neglect and denial had created physical and emotional wounds. She thought she hid them well, but they came to the surface that day. The pains she thought only she had felt had impacted her family and had broken the heart of her young daughter. Her strained neck, which she acquired from working in pediatrics early in her career, had progressed to sharp
electric-shock pains traveling down her arm 12 years later.

Throughout her career, she had contorted her body into different positions to ensure that her patients would be comfortable. She even complied with the demands of a toddler patient’s parent that she “figure out a way to see into [her] child’s mouth even if [she wanted] to sit on a bicycle.” She was not a contortionist, but she tried to be for the comfort of her patients.

A herniated disk was the cause of years of pain resulting from improper workplace ergonomics

The challenges of hygienists who care for aging parents

I recently completed a podcast for MOMgienists with the podcast’s founders, Jasmin Haley, RDH, and Christie Lincoln, RDH, on the topic of work-life balance and caring for aging parents.1

MOMgienists’ goal is to reach hygienists who are mothers with topics of interest to them. I was honored to be invited and asked if I could discuss what I had learned while caring for my parents. Having presented several seminars on work-life balance, caring for elders added a whole new dimension to my presentations.

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Here are some eye-opening facts published by the Pew Research Center.

• There are 40.4 million unpaid caregivers of adults ages 65 and older in the United States.

• Adults ages 45 to 64 are the most likely to be caregivers. About a quarter (23%) of adults ages 45 to 64 care for an aging adult.

• Most caregiving for aging parents is not in the form of financial support or personal care. More commonly, adults help their parents with errands, housework, or home repairs.2