Here are some cool tips to keep your smile bright and beautiful after professionally whitening your teeth.

To prolong the life of your new smile try the following:

• Avoid dark-colored beverages for at least an hour or two after your whitening treatment.
• Some beverages that tend to stain your teeth are hot tea, more so than cold tea, red wine, coffee  and dark berry juices such as grape and cranberry juice.
• When possible, sip dark-colored beverages with a straw.
• Practice good oral hygiene – brush and floss after meals and before bedtime.
• Remember to get a professional cleaning twice a year.
• In fact, if you really want to know the best time to do whitening, its right after a professional cleaning. The reason is the tooth picks up a hard "SHELL" of minerals and microscopic food particles that sort of plug up the pores of the tooth. During the professional cleaning this shell is polished off and the pores are readily available to absorb a whitener for the best results.
• Before going out, use your take home whitening kit.
• This will brighten your smile brighter than it will stay normally and last about 2 hours at a "SUPER" bright level. This is the gem of all.
• For those of you who have already done whiteners you know that when you first take the trays off after having worn them for an hour or two the teeth are at their very brightest.
• So, if you are getting ready to go out and you are fussing with your hair and makeup or going through a couple of changes of clothes to see what's perfect, you should be wearing your whitener trays.
• In fact, you can wear them all the way over to your party or where ever you're going and then pop them off just before you make your entrance and see how many rave reviews you get on your smile. It doesn't get any better than this. Now of course the lucky folks who already have the white veneers don't have to do this.

Here at Cosmetic Dental Associates our dentists are transforming smiles in only two visits. Our custom veneers are made of a tooth-like ceramic material, are contact lens thin and are placed over the original tooth. At CDA, we are one of only a few San Antonio dentist who have our own in-office lab that allows us to customize your veneers and preserve your teeth, giving you a perfect and natural smile. Because the veneers are made right here in our lab, our dentists can preserve all or most of the original tooth. The advanced technology used in our lab makes this procedure virtually painless and it can usually be completed in only two visits.

Veneers can reverse years of aging or damage, giving you the smile and self-esteem you deserve. Our dentists are experts at using veneers to correct worn enamel, uneven teeth, abnormal spacing, chips or cracks and discoloration.

Although your teeth are protected by enamel, this protective covering may become worn, discolored or dull over time. This typical wear and tear can be caused by drinking alot of dark colored beverages like coffee and red wine. Smoking can also cause staining over time. Certain medications can also be damaging to enamel causing teeth to become weak or stained. Some people grind their teeth, which is very harmful to the shape of the teeth because it can cause chips, cracks or an uneven appearance.

All of this can be corrected with custom made veneers that are designed to fit your unique smile. Schedule your appointment now with one our two warm and caring San Antonio dentists and transform your smile in only two visits!
 

Everyone would like a beautiful white smile but some of us need a little help to get the desired results. Whether you decide to whiten your teeth professionally or use over the counter white strips, you should know the facts. CDA’s top dental hygienist, Dolores Fales, offers advice on what you need to know about whitening your teeth.

Dolores has been with CDA since 2004 and is one of our most experienced Dental Hygienists and a favorite among patients.

There are several options when considering teeth whitening. Possibly one of the most well known methods is over the counter white strips which can be found almost anywhere. While very popular, you have probably heard those concerns that these strips can be damaging to the tooth enamel or just plain ineffective.           

Dolores says, “Over the counter white strips whiten your teeth if you’re able to get the strips to adhere to your teeth. They whiten the surfaces they touch but are unable to touch the entire surface of the tooth which produces uneven whitening. So they are not ideal. Also the strength of the bleaching agent used in over the counter white strips is usually only a third of that used in a professional take home whitening kit obtained through a dentist. White strips do not damage your teeth when used correctly.”

Your dentist can discuss with you the most successful and safe way to whiten your teeth. Dolores continues, “The most effective way to whiten your teeth would be professionally with either take home customized whitening trays, or in-office whitening. Both are very effective and produce great results. Natural teeth whitening remedies such as lemon juice are ineffective and can be dangerous to your teeth.”

Also eating and drinking habits may affect the longevity of whitened teeth, so remember to keep up with touch ups at home. Refrain from dark colored beverages like coffee, tea and red wine and remember to brush and floss after meals to keep those pearly whites!