Nebraska Family Dentistry

When a cavity reaches the nerve of the tooth, a root canal becomes the last option available to save the tooth. Occasionally, a tooth may die without any signs of a cavity. In both cases, the nerve of the tooth dies and becomes infected. For root canal safety, the bacteria from this nerve death or infection from a cavity must be completely eliminated. If it is not successfully eliminated, the tooth will become a source of chronic infection.

Root Canal Safety: What is the Solution?

The best way to be proactive about the potential failure of a root canal is to find a root canal dentist or endodontist in Lincoln, NE who understands the importance of eliminating the bacteria and is careful about selecting eligible teeth for root canal therapy. Many teeth do not qualify for root canal therapy due to the extent of infection around the tooth. The prognosis for these teeth is poor, and patients are better served by removing teeth with extensive infections.

Root Canal Safety: What Kind of Teeth are Appropriate Candidates for a Root Canal?

Your root canal dentist or endodontist in Lincoln, NE can help you determine if your tooth is a good candidate for root canal therapy. A tooth that is broken, or injured usually does not contain a significant amount of harmful bacteria. In this situation, the nerve of the tooth is dealing with a short-term, acute inflammation of the pulp or nerve. This tooth can often be saved successfully with root canal therapy.

What About Abscessed or Infected Teeth?

If a patient has had a long-standing tooth infection, an abscess will typically develop as a result. Performing a root canal is a poor treatment option for saving an abscessed tooth, and doing so can lead to chronic low-grade infection in a patient’s mouth. Many patients have a high tolerance for this kind of infection. However, those with autoimmune disorders will find themselves struggling to stay healthy as a consequence of a compromised root canal. This kind of infection puts unnecessary stress on a person’s body. This is a situation in which the safety of a root canal should be questioned by your dentist or local endodontist in Lincoln, NE.

Root Canal Safety: What are My Options If a Root Canal Will Not Work?

Typically, the next best option would be to create a dental implant made out of biologically compatible material. A dental implant will protect you from the buildup of bacteria and the resulting infection.

Commonly asked questions for an endodontist about root canals?

The answers are taken from the American Academy of Endodontists

My tooth hurts after the root canal is it normal?

Immediately after a root canal, it is normal to have some tenderness around the area. This makes some patients question root canal safety. The fact is that your symptoms before the root canal are usually much worse than any symptoms afterwards. Within a few days, the natural inflammation your body creates to heal after the procedure should subside.

I have soreness after root canal and how long should it last?

For the first 24-48 hours after having a root canal with your dentist or local endodontist in Lincoln, NE a root canal, it is not uncommon to have some aching and sensitivity. This is your body’s normal response to the micro-surgery of root canal therapy. You can take ibuprofen and Tylenol to help manage these symptoms during this time, but your symptoms should subside soon after your root canal has been completed if everything is healing normally.

What is the best medication for a toothache and pain relief after root canal?

After receiving root canal therapy from your dentist or local endodontist in Lincoln, NE, you may take Tylenol and ibuprofen to manage your discomfort after the procedure. You may alternate doses of Tylenol and ibuprofen for best results.

Can you still get a toothache after root canal years alter?

Root canal safety has been a concern, especially for patients who have had toothaches years after their treatment. If the root canal was successful and the body healed normally afterward, you should not experience any toothaches years later. A toothache years after a root canal is usually from a cracked root that has created infection around the root canal. Also, a toothache could be a chronic, low-grade infection from an unsuccessful root canal that is no longer tolerated by the body. In this case, the tooth should be removed.

Is it normal to have sharp toothache months after root canal?

It is not normal to experience a sharp toothache months after a root canal especially if it was successful initially. If the tooth had a micro-crack or the infection was too extensive before the root canal was performed, this can result in failure of the root canal and the tooth should be removed to get rid of the infection.  You should call your dentist or local endodontist in Lincoln, NE if you are experiencing a sharp toothache months after a root canal.

Is it better to have a root canal or extraction?

Every tooth should be carefully evaluated by your dentist or local endodontist in Lincoln, NE before having a root canal done. Root canal safety is not guaranteed for teeth that have a large infection or have root fractures. It is not possible to completely eliminate the bacteria causing infection in these situations and patients are better off removing teeth and replacing them with dental implants.

What is the cost of a root canal vs. extraction in Lincoln, NE?

The cost of root canals and extractions vary depending on the tooth and severity of the condition of the tooth. You dentist or local endodontist in Lincoln, NE can give you an estimate based on your insurance coverage for both procedures.

Can I go back to work after a root canal?

Root canal safety and returning to work afterward are common questions patients ask. Some patients choose to take the day off if they do not want to be numb during working hours. The anesthetic administered for root canal treatment lasts longer than the average anesthetic used for fillings. This is the patient’s choice. Ask your dentist or local endodontist in Lincoln, NE in your specific case.

What to do for pain relief with the sharp pain after root canal?

After the anesthesia wears off, and your root canal has been completed, you may feel sore and tender. This should only last for a day or two. During this time, you may alternate between ibuprofen and Tylenol to reduce inflammation and help bring down any swelling. If your pain is increasing significantly after your root canal, call you dentist or local endondontist in Lincoln, NE to make sure your tooth is healing normally.

If you’re concerned about your teeth or have any questions about the root canal process, feel free to make an appointment online with a local dentist near me or give us a call.

Nebraska Family Dentistry has multiple Lincoln Dental Clinics!
Choose any location “dentist near me” convenient for you.

What is the best whitening system that produces great results? 

How much does it cost to achieve the best whitening results fast?

How long will it take to get my teeth white?

What is the best hassle-free whitening process on the market?

How fast and how white can I get my teeth? 

Are the tooth whitening kits purchased from the store as effective as professional whitening performed in-office?

While marketing and advertising generate buzz about the latest products, there still seems to be some confusion — and even debate — about the best way to achieve whiter teeth. Consumers want to know: What is the best whitening system? Which whitening system produces the number one results? How much does it cost to achieve the best whitening results? How long will it take to get whiter teeth?

It seems that it is hard for most individuals to justify the added expense of in-office professional whitening from their dentist. In-office whitening generally costs anywhere from $200 to more than $500. On the other hand, an over-the-counter whitening kit often costs less than eighty dollars. The big picture is that store-bought whitening kits don’t tend to work as well or as quickly. But why?

Still wondering…”what is the best whitening system?”

OTC, or over-the-counter whitening systems, such as Whitestrips by Crest®, use hydrogen peroxide as the primary and active ingredient. Hydrogen peroxide is also the same active ingredient that is used in many professional whitening systems. However, the concentration is generally much lower. In the case of Crest® Whitestrips, this low concentration of hydrogen peroxide is mixed into a gel (glycerin). This same gel that is found on the back of the whitening strips. Unfortunately, when this glycerin gel is applied to the teeth, it covers the teeth and a portion of the gum tissue.

Does in-office whitening use Hydrogen Peroxide?

For this reason, the concentration of any hydrogen peroxide in the gel must be kept as low as possible. If the amount of hydrogen peroxide is too high, it can cause chemical burns to the gum tissue. This gel will whiten teeth, but it occurs over time. Because the concentration of Hydrogen peroxide is so low, it takes much more time. Likewise, more frequent applications are required versus a professional whitening system. But, how are the professional systems different?

The two most noticeable differences between an OTC whitening system and a professional system are:

#1. The difference in concentration of the whitening agent. 

Over-the-counter bleaching systems like those from Crest® (Whitestrips) use 10% hydrogen peroxide. Professional bleaching systems use up to 45% carbamide peroxide to provide their bleaching effects. 

Our professional in-office whitening products do not contain any hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide leads to severe sensitivity. Also, it takes longer to see results when using Hydrogen peroxide. Instead, we use carbamide peroxide. Carbamide peroxide penetrates deeper leading to a whiter, brighter smile more quickly.

Store-bought whitening strips can easily slide around. Thus, they produce extra sensitivity even though they have a weaker bleaching solution concentration. Whitening strips purchased in-store contain only a maximum of 10% hydrogen peroxide, but they create sensitivity by sliding around and irritating gums. Professional level bleaching, which offers the best whitening system today, contains 35-45% Carbamide peroxide | CH6N2O3 – PubChem

#2. The greatest disadvantage of store-bough whitening strips is that the strips easily slide around. Thus, they produce extra sensitivity despite a weaker bleaching solution. 

A store-bought whitening kit is a one size fits all and is not an exact fit. Professional options, which tend to be the best whitening system today, use custom-made “trays.” Custom made trays hold the whitening gel in direct contact with the teeth preventing any contact with gum tissue. Professional teeth whitening trays are a thin, flexible shell of clear plastic that gently rests over the teeth, forming a barrier along the gum line.

Custom trays, which comprise the best whitening system, are fabricated with small pockets or reservoirs to directly hold the hydrogen peroxide gel on each tooth’s fronts. Because the trays are custom made, impressions of the teeth must be made on the first visit. Thus, any duplicate or subsequent impressions of the teeth can be made with a “plaster-like” substance.

On the second visit, we will try the newly made plastic trays to ensure superior fit and excellent comfort. At that time, detailed instructions will be given to the patient regarding how to dispense the proper amount of whitening gel into the trays.

Learn more at:

How long will it take to get my teeth whiter even if I use the best whitening system?

Generally speaking, the age of teeth, the amount of initial staining, and the amount of enamel determines just how long you may need to whiten your teeth. Younger patients tend to have fewer stains and more enamel versus that of older patients.

Read more about teeth whitening in young kids.

What is the best method of whitening for fast, effective results? 

Our dentists use the Opalescence® system.

The benefits of Opalescence® system are:

• Opalescence® tooth whitening gel contains PF (potassium nitrate and fluoride), which helps maintain enamel’s health throughout the whitening process.
• Formulated to prevent dehydration and shade relapse.
• Opalescence® in-office whitening contains 35% Carbamide peroxide CH6N2O3 – PubChem concentration.
• Custom trays are used to apply sticky, viscous gel that won’t migrate to soft tissues.

How fast and how white can I get my teeth? What are the factors that influence the whitening results?

The answer is that it entirely depends on how dark and stained the teeth are initially, the level of whitening desired, and how frequently whitening gel is applied.

The whitening’s final results depend on the initial tooth color shade. Comparatively, patients that have a more yellow hue have a much greater response to whitening versus those with more gray or brown hue. Every patient has a unique and inherent whitening potential. 

What is initial tooth color shade or inherent whitening potential?

Unique and inherent whitening potential – is a level at which our teeth won’t whiten anymore, and this varies from person to person. Ultimately, our teeth whitening amount is controlled by our genes and the amount of enamel on our teeth. Of course, some people can achieve great whitening results, and some can not get those super white teeth. Those particular individuals might want to consider dental veneers or crowns for achieving a bright, white smile.

Check out this smile and the little amount of enamel. You can see thin enamel and not much tooth enamel structure remains. This particular patient would not be able to get her teeth super white with whitening products. Dental veneers or crowns would be her only choice to get super white teeth.

Another patient case shows extraordinary whitening results. This patient has lots of enamel, which led to excellent and fast teeth whitening results.

In conclusion, the best whitening system is one that is of professional grade. Professional whitening systems produce better results because they have custom made trays and stronger whitening solutions. 

For some patients with a minimal amount of enamel or severely worn teeth, teeth whitening may not give them the desired results. In the end, those patients should consider dental veneers or crowns to achieve super white teeth. 

Our dentists are more than willing to help you decide the best teeth whitening method for you. A confident smile is a beautiful smile. If you have more questions, please feel free to give us a call. We’re here to help!

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Additional CAQs you may have about teeth whitening: 

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Why does teeth bleaching create sensitivity?

Reason #1: Tooth dehydration. A large concentration of hydrogen peroxide naturally dehydrates the teeth during bleaching. In addition, using a UV or LED light makes can cause even more sensitivity!

Reason #2: Gums become sensitive due to teeth whitening solution spilling over. For this reason, custom trays are essential. Equally important, be sure to take extra care and do not to add too much whitening solution.

Is Teeth Whitening Safe?

Teeth bleaching and whitening is one of the safest cosmetic procedures we do in dentistry.

At the concentrations we use in dentistry (5%-38%), it doesn’t damage the enamel. Likewise, there is no softening, stripping, or abnormal wear of the enamel associated with whitening.

What does bleaching do to the enamel? 

According to research, at the concentrations we use in dentistry (5%-38%), it doesn’t damage the enamel. Not to mention, there is no softening, stripping, or abnormal wear of the enamel associated with whitening. 

How old must you be to do teeth whitening?

Dental professionals recommend not beginning the whitening process before the age of 13. Do keep in mind, however, this may vary depending on the patient. Due to the enlarged pulp chamber in children and young adults, the teeth’ nerves can be very sensitive. Therefore, it may not be advisable.

How long will teeth whitening results last?

Teeth whitening results generally tend to leave you with a stunning smile long after treatment. Do remember, though, that some factors can make teeth lose their shine; things like diet, genetics, age, medications (like tetracycline), and individual habits (such as smoking) can all affect the length of time that your whitening results will last. Fortunately, however, touch-up treatments are easy and quick. Thus, you can get that bright, white smile back quickly. 

What about whitening my existing dental work? 

Can I whiten a filling or crown? Is there a “best whitening system” for restorations?

No. Unfortunately, only natural tooth structure can be whitened. Any crowns or fillings you have will not react to whitening products. If you have a crown or a visible filling, you may want to talk to your dentist about different options to improve your smile.

Does Charcoal Toothpaste Work for Whitening Teeth? Although charcoal tooth products can make teeth feel extremely clean and smooth, there are some disadvantages. Charcoal is more abrasive than regular toothpaste. So, it is to avoid using charcoal toothpaste daily. Learn more https://nebraskafamilydentistry.com/…/trending-hygiene…/

Other CAQs and links to more

Top 10 whitening products for teeth

Best whitening kit with light for teeth?

Top whitening gel for teeth?

Best whitening toothpaste?

Best whitening reviews?

Top whitening toothpaste in 2020

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We know that when it comes to considering any kind of dental work, you might have questions. Asking questions is a great thing to do and it shows your interest in the procedure and more importantly, your overall well-being. If you know you have questions, but can’t think of exactly what to ask, we’re here to help. We’ve answered some of the most commonly asked questions about “Opalescence™ teeth whitening near me.” 

Opalescence™ Teeth Whitening Trays: How do I Use and Care for Custom Whitening Trays? What are custom whitening trays?

Prior to using professional strength teeth whitening products and getting custom whitening trays, be sure to see your dentist for an exam to ensure that your gums are healthy enough to bleach your teeth. It’s important to know that crowns, veneers, and fillings will not bleach. If the shade of your natural teeth matches your existing dental work before bleaching, whitening your teeth will result in mismatched shades. Regularly receiving professional cleanings to remove tartar and plaque accumulation on the teeth will give you the evenest results from whitening.

Unique and inherent whitening potential – it’s believed that we each have a level at which our teeth won’t whiten anymore.  This varies from person to person and is controlled by our genes and determined by the value/hue of our teeth. We can only get the value color changed to brighter and whiter color/hue, which determines your final color and whitening results.

• If you are in color range A, A1 will be your lightest result.
• Category B color range, you can get to the highest B shade, B1.
• If you are in category C, you can only get to the lightest shade of C.

Please look at your initial shade using this shade scale:

Will my previous dental work whiten?

If you have dental fillings, crowns, or any type of dental work, those restorations will not whiten.

How do I use Opalescence™ whitening trays?
Steps for using custom whitening trays at home:

“Opalescence™ teeth whitening near me” contains 35% bleaching solution should only be used with custom bleaching trays from your dentist. This whitening solution should be applied for the prescribed time of 60 minutes. 

Teeth should be thoroughly brushed and flossed before bleaching. To load your custom bleaching trays, apply the bleach in small dots to the inside of the front portion of the teeth only. You should not use more than half of the syringe per application for both arches. Once you have inserted the trays, lightly tap the sides of the tray to allow the gel to contact your teeth. Do not eat, drink, or sleep while your trays are in your mouth. 

After 60 minutes, remove the trays and gently brush with a soft toothbrush and rinse your mouth with room temperature water to remove any residual bleaching gel. You may clean the remaining gel from your custom trays by gently brushing them with a soft toothbrush. Store trays in a cool environment in a container to avoid damage. Avoid using warm or hot water to clean them as this will warp your trays.  Avoid soaking your trays in mouthwash to avoid discoloration. After whitening, you should avoid tobacco products, coffee, tea, dark pop, red wine, etc for 24-48 hours.

The color of your teeth may appear uneven immediately after you remove your bleach trays. This is temporary and is due to the dehydration that occurs during whitening. The shade of your teeth may have a gradient color, with a darker shade closer to the gumline and lighter shade closer to the biting surface. This is normal and is a natural feature of enamel anatomy.

The longevity of your whitening results varies based on diet and lifestyle habits. Using a whitening toothpaste can help remove surface stains between whitening applications. You can touch up your whitening for a day or two whenever you feel that your teeth are starting to appear less bright. For most people, this is one or two applications of bleach every 3-4 months. Store leftover bleach in the refrigerator. 

Sensitivity after whitening is normal and temporary. Patients who have autoimmune diseases or chronic inflammatory disease may experience prolonged sensitivity symptoms after whitening. Patients who grind their teeth may experience more discomfort after whitening. You may take Tylenol or ibuprofen to help manage your sensitivity along with daily use of sensitivity toothpaste.

What if you want super white teeth but are not able to get there with just teeth whitening based on the limitations of your enamel?

Consider dental veneers, crowns, or replacing aged dental work. Doing so will create permanent whitening results. Dental veneers and crowns stay permanently white and do not stain.

Whether you’re looking to replace the siding on your house, landscape your backyard, or even fix your smile, there is always something to do. And, chances are it seems many of these things get put on the back burner because of time or cost. Cost is enormous to everyone, and we all know that there really isn’t anything that is “cheap.” If it is “cheap,” most of us tend to say, “whoa hold up, there has to be a catch,” right!? The rule “if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is,” seems pretty spot on.

While some things are too good to be true, there one thing is genuinely legitimate. It’s Teledentisry! What is Teledentistry? Teledentistry, in short, is the use of information and telecommunication to offer dental services to a variety of patients. What’s cool about Telehealth, in general, is that providers in any area of expertise can reach a maximum number of people. The same goes for Teledentistry. Dentists can see more patients even quicker than they could in the office. A dentist can see you from the comfort of your own home or another provider’s office, coordinating care. Thus, benefiting your oral and overall health. Now that’s pretty cool!

But why would anyone want to have a Teledentistry appointment? Ok, we all know that you aren’t going to get your teeth cleaned by a dentist in Lincoln, NE, while you are sitting on your couch in Dallas, TX, that’s not realistic. But, what is practical, however, is that many people worldwide have had successful Teledentisry appointments. The reasons behind Teledentistry are quite simple and do make sense. So, let’s go over them!

3 Great Reasons to Try Teledentistry

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1. Education – Education plays a huge role in any decision we make. If we don’t have the facts, it’s hard for anyone to decide anything. Similarly, we can’t get the facts if we don’t talk to someone who knows something. Whether it’s the guy selling you new siding for your house or a dentist talking to you about the reason for your discomfort and the options available to remedy it, these people have the facts. Facts, no matter what, help build a solid foundation. With a solid foundation, you can make confident, educated decisions. Making good decisions will ultimately benefit your overall health.
   
2. Awareness – What exactly is awareness? Awareness is to spread knowledge about something or spread knowledge that something exists. Whether it’s cancer awareness or awareness about different dental diseases, it’s awareness nonetheless. In this particular case, Teledentistry could help spread awareness to patients about oral cancer or periodontal disease. In the end, spreading awareness could help one person or multiple people – and it could save your teeth!
   
3. Treatment and Consultation – Teledentistry could prove extremely valuable if you need urgent dental care. We all know that emergencies never seem to happen during business hours. If you need immediate oral care, you can still get an opinion from a licensed dentist. Now that’s pretty neat! In doing so, you can formulate a treatment plan. If the dentist you consult with feels your dental concern is severe enough, they may have you come to the office. Overall, that’s still an easy visit. The hardest part is over; you’ve talked to a dental professional who is aware of your condition, and they likely offered you a remedy of some kind even if it’s short-term. For me, having advice from a professional is almost always enough to ease some pretty severe discomfort.

Even though not everyone feels Teledentistry is ideal, it does have many benefits. One of the biggest pros of using Teledentistry, or Telehealth in general, is that you don’t have to go to the office (in most cases). For you, that means more time in your schedule to do what you need to do. You don’t have the headache of fighting traffic or waiting in line once you arrive at the dental clinic. Teledentistry is a straightforward process, and being able to see a dentist when you need to see a dentist, should sound incredibly appealing. If you’ve ever experienced dental pain, you know it’s no fun. Also, a second opinion is sometimes necessary, and this a quick way to get a second point of view. Another perk? Your insurance just might cover the cost or at least a portion of Telehealth appointments depending upon your plan. Be sure to call and ask them.

Now that you know more about Teledentistry, I hope you are inclined to try it. Going out of your comfort zone is sometimes needed, and in the end, you might discover something you love. I’m all about easy and convenient, and Teledentistry offers both. What’s not to love about that? Give it a try; I think you’ll like it!

Nebraska Family Dentistry has multiple Lincoln Dental Clinics!
Choose any location “dentist near me” convenient for you.

What are the best dental products for consumers in 2020? In this article, our Lincoln, NE dentist, talks about the latest dental products and answer those CAQs:

Is activated charcoal toothpaste good for your teeth? 

Which electric toothbrush is the best to use? 

Should I be using a water pick instead of flossing? 

What is the best whitening toothpaste to get fast whitening results? 

What is the best whitening system on the market?

What is the best toothpaste for bleeding gums in adults?

Which mouthwash is the best?

Should I use Smile Direct Club for braces at home? 

Should I be using at home scalers to remove build-up from my teeth? 

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Dental Products for Consumers – Activated Charcoal Toothpaste/Whitening Powder: Is it safe to brush your teeth with activated charcoal?

Your Lincoln, NE dentist answers:

It’s common for patients to ask about dental products for consumers, which can include using items like charcoal toothpaste or powder. The charcoal toothpaste is no different than if a patient used whitening toothpaste. It only removes surface stains due to its abrasive property but doesn’t whiten the tooth structure. Even though there aren’t any tremendous dental concerns when using this product, there are some cons. It can leave residue along the gum line, especially if the patient doesn’t have excellent home care. Also, the charcoal can settle along gum lines. In the end, the abrasive property can be harmful to areas of recession/exposed root structure, and it could even cause more sensitivity. At Nebraska Family Dentistry, we are always sure to stay up-to-date with the latest products to know what might work well for our patients.

Medications affected are:

• Acetaminophen
• Digoxin
  • Digoxin is used for heart disease. This medication helps your heart work better to distribute blood throughout your body. It strengthens the heart muscle’s contractions and slows your heart rate. 
    • Types of Digoxin include: Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps, Digitek, and Digitoxin (Crystodigin)
• Theophylline
  • Theophylline is a relatively weak but inexpensive bronchodilator containing a chemical similar to caffeine. It relaxes the smooth muscle that surrounds the airways.
• Tricyclic antidepressants
  • Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) have been used to treat depression since the 1950s. They tend to cause more side effects than newer drugs for depression. As with all antidepressants, you must take TCAs for a while before they start to work. 
    • Types of TCAs include Amitriptyline (Elavil), Amoxapine (Asendin), Desipramine (Norpramin), Doxepin (Sinequan), Imipramine (Tofranil), Nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), Protriptyline (Vivactil), and Trimipramine (Surmontil).

Which electric toothbrush is the best to use? Are electric toothbrushes actually better?

Your Lincoln, NE dentist answers:

There is a huge selection of dental products for consumers when it comes to electric toothbrushes. So, “which is the best?”

After almost 100 total hours of research, interviewing experts, evaluating nearly every model available, and testing 31 toothbrushes ourselves in hundreds of trials at the bathroom sink, we’ve found that the Oral-B Pro 1000 is the best electric toothbrush for most people. It has the fewest “fancy” features of the models we tested. Still, it does have the most important things that experts recommend—a built-in two-minute timer and access to one of the most extensive and affordable lines of replaceable toothbrush heads available—for the lowest price.

Is it better to use an electric toothbrush instead of a manual toothbrush?

A review of studies showed that, in general, electric toothbrushes do decrease more plaque and gingivitis than manual toothbrushes. After three months of use, plaque was reduced by 21% and gingivitis by 11%. Oscillating (rotating) toothbrushes seem to work better than just vibrating toothbrushes.

It’s possible, however, to brush your teeth effectively with a manual toothbrush. An electric toothbrush can be a great alternative to a manual toothbrush, especially if you have arthritis or other conditions that make it difficult to brush well.

Learn more bout electric vs. manual toothbrushes by visiting:

Is it better to use a Waterpik® toothbrush to prevent cavities?

Your Lincoln, NE dentist answers:

Can I use a Waterpik® instead of flossing? A Waterpik® sure helps remove plaque in general, but using a Waterpik® does not effectively clean between teeth, ultimately leading to the development of cavities. Besides being the only way, flossing is the best way to prevent cavities between teeth.

Cons of Using a Waterpik® are:

Floss hugs the tooth and scrapes plaque away, which helps prevent tooth decay and gingivitis. A Waterpik® only rinses plaque and, therefore, is not a substitute for flossing.

When it comes to dental products for consumers, a Waterpik® isn’t generally a top choice. If a Waterpik® is used in combination with traditional flossing, however, it can be beneficial. Also, if a patient is in full orthodontic gear, or they are older and have lost dexterity, then it can be better than not flossing all.

Which toothpaste will work the best for fast teeth whitening results?

Your Lincoln, NE dentist answers:

The answer will surprise you:

Answer: NONE

Marketing and colors appear to make Optic White® the best choice, but it is not the best. Actually, none of these kinds of toothpaste are the best.

All of them have the same active ingredient: Sodium Monofluorophosphate (0.76% (0.13% w/v Fluoride Ion)). This ingredient is meant to help diminish the demineralization of tooth enamel and enhance the remineralization of potential weak spots, strengthening the enamel.

And, not an active ingredient but rather an added ingredient is 1% hydrogen peroxide concentration. An important note is that 1% is too weak to make any significant changes.

Take home message:
Do not get misled by marketing, attractive colors, and false promises when it comes to whitening toothpaste.

What’s the best teeth whitening system for fast results?

SmileDirectClub™: Invisible braces at home. Is SmileDirectClub™ Safe?

Your Lincoln, NE dentist answers:

What about the SmileDirectClub™?

The SmileDirectClub™ offers dental products for consumers and makes claims to straighten teeth without seeing an orthodontist. Generally, it is a good idea for patients to see an actual orthodontist so that orthodontic treatment can be appropriately evaluated and monitored throughout the entire process.

• https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/things-didn-t-feel-right-some-smiledirectclub-customers-report-problems-n1134056
• https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/21/technology/smiledirectclub-smile-nda.html

Should I be using at home scalers to remove build-up from my teeth? I see many dental products for consumers that look like they would actually work. 

Is it bad to scrape plaque off of your teeth?

Your Lincoln, NE dentist answers:

Patients have asked if they should use dental products for consumers such as a “pick” or “scaler” in-between cleanings. The short answer is no! Often, a person ends up doing more harm than good. Instead, continue to focus on brushing twice per day and flossing daily.

CleanOral™ Ultrasonic Tooth Cleaner: Do ultrasonic teeth cleaners work?

Research has shown that ultrasonic scaling instruments are as effective as manual scalers when removing tartar from tooth surfaces, including from within shallow gum pockets. However, where ultrasonic instruments shine is in clearing deposits from deeper pockets (especially during your professional dental cleanings at your dentist’s office). An ultrasonic scaler allows hygienists to thoroughly remove calculus from teeth in a very gentle way, producing little or no damage to teeth and their roots, which is critical.

Benefits of using ultrasonic teeth cleaners:

• Effectively removes dental plaque, dental calculus, and stains. Removes hard tartar easily from teeth preventing gum disease.
• Using CleanOral™ in conjunction with your current dental care routine will decrease bacteria levels in the mouth, resulting in fresher breath.
• Ultrasonic teeth cleaners have high-frequency vibration, which helps remove calculus.

In conclusion:

With many dental products to choose from, it can be challenging to decide which products are the best. In short, it is always an excellent idea to keep a strict home care routine to aid in the prevention of any dental diseases and help keep your teeth healthy. A good home care routine includes:

• Brushing twice per day.

• Flossing nightly before bed.

Some patients may need extra help in managing their dental health. Incorporating some of the latest products on the market can help when used in conjunction with a good daily home care routine.

Dental health is an integral part of overall wellness. Learn more about improving your oral health from your biological dentist in Lincoln, NE, Dr. Kathryn Alderman.

You can schedule with this Lincoln, NE dentist online 24/7 at her East Lincoln Location of Nebraska Family Dentistry. This “biological dentist near me” serves the local communities in Garland, Pleasant Dale, Denton, Crete, Milford, Hickman, Roca, Martell, Panama, and more.