Do I Need To Go To The Dentist To Whiten My Teeth?

Perfect White TeethTeeth whitening: are you doing it on your own or seeing the dentist? This question is now being posed on the internet by millions of people. In the counter whitening, there are so many products to choose from. Many of the whitening kits claim to be as good as a dentist’s procedure. That’s the case? Not according to the American Dental Association (ADA).

A research on the risks of using DIY teeth whitening kits was published by the ADA in 2009. The ADA states that you can damage the surface of your teeth and the nerve endings without proper supervision. You can also injure your gum tissue, get upset with poorly fitted mouth guards, and experience uneven whitening and pitting.

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How Will You Know You Have A Gum Disease?

dentist holding dental modelThe mouth is an amazing microcosm of bacteria living in the oral tissue. The bacteria mostly function in perfect harmony with the tissues of the mouth, but sometimes the sour note, which is parodontal disease, interferes with the harmony.

Periodontal disease is a term that includes various conditions affecting the areas around the teeth. The phrase comes from the Latin word “peri,” which means around and the Greek word “odont,” which means teeth. The term used to describe the study of the teeth is called periodontology and the supporting structures around them. Periodontics is the dental specialty dedicated to the prevention and treatment of periodontal disease.

The group of diseases that fall under periodontal disease all have the same end results, inflammation of the gums (gingivitis), destruction of the periodontal ligament, loss of bone support, and finally tooth loss. Of the people who develop gingivitis, 10-15% will develop more advanced periodontal disease. About 70% of the people who develop more advanced forms of periodontal disease will develop the chronic form of the disease that worsens as the patient ages. The other 30% will develop different forms and patterns of disease. Continue reading How Will You Know You Have A Gum Disease?