Seacrest Dental

Teeth bleaching is one of the most popular cosmetic dental procedures in the Destin area.

Almost everyone, however, prefers having a comfortable smile over having white teeth.

Like many others, you may be worried about how bleaching could affect the health of your smile.

The good news is that bleaching is not dangerous if you do it correctly.

What About Sensitivity?

Bleaching does not destroy enamel, but it does open up small pores on the surface of your teeth. This mechanism allows the bleaching agent to lift stains embedded deep within the surface…but it also makes your tooth a bit more sensitive.

Fortunately, this sensitivity is temporary and can be minimized with the help of desensitizing agents like fluoride varnish or toothpastes. Whitening with your dentist is the best way to avoid sensitive teeth, since we know just how much bleaching agent you need.

You should not whiten your teeth if you have cavities. The solutions may burn if it comes into contact with a hole in your tooth. Here, again, is another excellent reason why you should bleach your teeth professionally, if at all. A dentist will only recommend whitening after checking and treating your teeth for decay.

Too Much of a Good Thing

There’s no evidence that teeth bleaching is bad for your health. But doing it excessively can cause burns on your gums and chronically sensitive enamel. So if you would like a whiter smile, then the best approach is to see our Emerald Coast dentist for advice.

Here at Seacrest Dental, you can enjoy our single-visit teeth bleaching treatment or try our custom take-home teeth whitening kits. Either way will get you safe, stunning results. Call us today to schedule a consultation.

Posted on Behalf of Seacrest Dental

Most people think of the dentist as the doctor who keeps your teeth healthy and who repairs broken or cracked teeth. You might also think of your gum health, and maybe braces,…but we’d be willing to bet you don’t think of snoring and healthy sleep when you visit the dentist. Perhaps you should.

Sleep Apnea Affects Your Overall Health

When you have sleep apnea, your airway closes while you’re sleeping.  The inability to inhale air causes your nervous system to send signals to your body to wake up.  Most of the time, you don’t wake up all the way, but just enough to interrupt your sleep cycle.

Without a good night’s rest, including deep sleep and REM cycles, you are significantly more likely to develop high blood pressure, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. Additionally, you are more likely to gain and keep weight and to have car accidents due to falling asleep at the wheel.

How Oral Appliances Can Help

You’ve probably heard that the way to treat sleep apnea, after your sleep study, is to wear a CPAP at night, while you sleep.  Many people, unfortunately, find that the mask associated with that treatment is uncomfortable.

Depending on how severe your sleep apnea is, your Seacrest Dental family can help by custom fitting you for an oral sleep device. This appliance is like a cross between a mouthguard and a retainer. It fits over your teeth, and positions your jaw forward just enough that your airway will not fully collapse.

When you’re ready to sleep better, call Seacrest Dental on the Emerald Coast. We can answer your questions about sleep appliances and schedule you for a consultation!

Posted on Behalf of Seacrest Dental