Teeth Whitening

How Can I Avoid Coffee Stains on My Teeth?

A woman drinking coffee and smiling at the camera, at a cafe with string lights in the background.If you’re like most Austrailians in that you drink coffee every day, you’ve likely noticed one of its major drawbacks: its tendency to leave stains on the teeth. These marks are typically the result of tannins, or the potent acidic compounds found in coffee. While tannins are responsible for that robust flavour we so enjoy, they can easily bind to the enamel on our teeth and mar an otherwise white smile. Unfortunately, the same is true for many of our favourite drinks and foods, such as black tea, red wine, and various fruits and vegetables.

Does that mean you have to give up coffee altogether to have a white smile? Of course not; it simply means you may need to form some new hygienic habits. Here are some of the ways you can protect your teeth from coffee stains (while still enjoying the occasional “flat white” espresso drink):

  • Brush and rinse your mouth after drinking. As soon as you’re done with coffee for the day, thoroughly brush and rinse your mouth. This can prevent lingering tannins from adhering to your teeth.
  • Drink plenty of water. If coffee is your first beverage of choice, make water the next in line! The dental health benefits of drinking water are virtually limitless, and one of the major advantages is that it can cleanse the mouth of harmful bacteria.
  • Use a straw. Drinking coffee, tea, or other dark-coloured liquids through a straw limits their contact with your teeth, making it more difficult for the acid to cling to your enamel.
  • Attend regular cleanings. Dental cleanings are integral to your oral health. In general, we recommend patients come in for cleanings and exams every six months. During these visits, our dentists can thoroughly inspect your mouth and, if you so desire, help you choose a treatment to combat discolouration.
  • Consider teeth whitening. Minimally-invasive, professional-grade teeth whitening has become increasingly popular in recent years. At The Paddington Dental Surgery, our teeth whitening options range from in-office procedures, including the highly sought-after Zoom!® WhiteSpeed and KöR® Deep Bleaching™ systems, to at-home solutions like Zoom!® DayWhite. The bleaching formulas used in these treatments are praised for their astounding quality and ability to produce long-lasting results.

Our dentists at The Paddington Dental Surgery are committed to improving your oral health, enhancing the natural beauty of your smile, and exceeding your every expectation from the moment you enter our office. To schedule an appointment with our team, please feel free to contact us today!

How to Prevent Teeth Staining

Do you miss how white and vibrant your teeth used to be? Teeth naturally change colour as we age due to an accumulation of stains and overall usage. While there is no clear-cut solution for avoiding teeth stains, there are lifestyle habits that can help slow their development. If you suffer from teeth discolouration, here are a few suggestions from our dental team at The Paddington Dental Surgery:

  • Practice good oral hygiene. Make sure to brush and floss regularly, use mouthwash, and schedule dental cleanings every six months.
  • Refrain from smoking or chewing tobacco. Tobacco is made up of tar and nicotine, which can absorb into the pores of your teeth causing them to turn yellow or brown.
  • Avoid certain foods and sauces. Berries, beets, tomato sauce, and soy sauce can contribute to discolouration. Acidic foods, such as citrus fruits and vinegar, can erode the enamel and cause teeth staining.
  • Use a straw when you drink beverages that tend to stain. Using a straw when drinking coffee, tea, and cola can help preserve the whiteness of your teeth. You can also refrain from drinking these beverages entirely.
  • Stop potential tooth damage. Use a mouthguard if you grind your teeth. Micro-cracks from teeth grinding can cause a darker appearance on biting surfaces. Other cracks caused by a fall or injury can be susceptible to staining. Cracked or broken teeth must be treated by a dental professional to prevent damage from worsening.
  • Talk to your doctor about medications. Medication, such as tetracycline antibiotics, can cause teeth staining. Consult a physician about alternative options if you want to avoid this side effect, but do not stop taking prescribed medicine without their approval.

Some degree of teeth staining is to be expected over time, but with proper maintenance and lifestyle changes, it can be minimised. If you are looking for treatment options to address discolouration, you may be a good candidate for teeth whitening or porcelain veneers. We offer in-office and at-home bleaching solutions to lighten the natural colour of your teeth. Individuals with severe cases of discolouration, such as tetracycline stains, may be recommended a strong bleaching treatment called KöR® Whitening or porcelain veneers. Veneers are thin shells of porcelain placed over each tooth to help brighten and improve its appearance. Patients should still stick to the general rules (no smoking, minimise staining drinks, etc.) to prolong the benefits of any teeth staining treatment. It is best to consult a dentist to discuss which procedure can deliver optimal results for you.

Follow our tips to help you achieve a whiter and brighter smile. If you would like more information about our teeth staining treatments, please contact us today to schedule a consultation

How Can Dental Treatments Make Me Look Younger?

ModelWhen it comes to rejuvenating one’s facial appearance, most people don’t think of going to their dentist. However, with the right dental treatment plan tailored to your specific needs, you can address common signs of aging and turn back the clock. At The Paddington Dental Surgery, our dental team offers a variety of solutions that can enhance the look of your smile. For patients wanting to achieve a younger-looking facial appearance, a dental facelift can reverse unwanted changes caused by aging. Using porcelain veneers, the dental facelift process can address concerns such as the following:

  • Thinning lips
  • Stained, chipped, or cracked teeth
  • Overbite or underbite
  • Hollow-looking cheeks
  • Wrinkles

By enhancing tooth size and shape, veneers can help restore youthful facial contours that have been affected by lax facial muscles and worn-down teeth. To learn more about the dental facelift and how it can help you reverse the effects of aging with incredibly natural-looking results, please contact us to schedule an appointment.

Foods That Stain Your Teeth

The causes of teeth staining are myriad and include prescription medication, tobacco use, and genetic influences. The most common reason for teeth staining, however, is diet. Every day we consume foods that can discolour our teeth. If you can limit consumption of some of the most common culprits, you can keep your teeth looking whiter longer. Some of the worst staining agents include:

  • Coffee
  • Tea
  • Wine
  • Soda
  • Dark juices
  • Berries
  • Beets
  • Soy sauce

We don’t expect you to give up all of your favorite foods and beverages, and if you just can’t quit your coffee addiction, we understand. We offer state-of-the-art teeth whitening to return your smile to its most dazzling quickly and comfortably. Learn more about our in-office and at-home treatments on our website or contact us for more information.

Enjoy a White Christmas with a Brighter Smile

Dreaming of a white Christmas? With all the parties and special events that occur around the holidays, having a beautiful smile is on many patients’ minds. Teeth whitening can freshen up your look instantly and give you greater confidence as you begin a new year. If you’re bothered by stains, discolouration, or dingy-looking teeth, let our skilled team help you enhance your smile. We offer the most advanced teeth-whitening systems available, including ZOOM!® and KÖR®. Furthermore, our in-office procedures can provide immediate results, or you can choose our professional at-home treatment for more gradual brightening.

Look your best on holiday cards and in festive photos with a healthy-looking white smile. Talk to our friendly and knowledgeable team members about your cosmetic goals today.

What to Expect in a Smile Makeover

A Smile Makeover is designed to help each patient achieve their cosmetic goals when they have more than one dental concern they would like to address. At The Paddington Dental Surgery, we tailor this procedure to suit the needs and desired outcome of each person. With so much versatility, many patients wonder what the “typical” Smile Makeover is like. The truth is, it can vary. That said, there are a few common experiences for most patients.

All Smile Makeovers begin with a consultation. During that appointment, our experienced dentist will evaluate your dental needs, discuss your concerns, and develop a customised plan that includes the treatments that can help you obtain a beautiful and healthy smile.

In most cases, patients will need at least two office visits to complete their Smile Makeover, with several more often necessary depending on which procedures they select. For instance, teeth whitening can be completed in a single visit, and porcelain veneers usually can be completed in two. Invisalign®, however, generally takes several months to see the final result. The number of techniques used and the complexity of your program will inform the projected treatment length.

As with any treatment, we want you to feel confident and informed from day one. Therefore, we will review the expected timeframe of your plan with you during your initial consultation. Any changes to that estimate will be discussed with you as well, should the need arise. After all, when it comes to a Smile Makeover, you’re the boss.

Want to learn more about this procedure? Contact us today to schedule an in-person consultation.

What Is a Smile Facelift?

We use a number of different terms to refer to our customised procedures, including Smile Makeover, full mouth reconstruction, and Smile Facelift. Each treatment is designed to achieve a specific set of goals, and the right one for you will vary based on your unique characteristics and desired outcome. During your initial consultation, our team can help you determine if one of these procedures is right for you.

A Smile Facelift is a treatment that can rejuvenate a patient’s appearance without the need for cosmetic injectables. In addition to enhancing the look of the smile, a Smile Facelift can also revitalize the face by addressing underlying issues within the oral structures. The primary technique used in a Smile Facelift is the placement of porcelain dental veneers. This method can improve a wide range of dental concerns, including staining, gaps, chips, discolouration, asymmetry, and more. Veneers can also be used to add length and fullness to the teeth, helping to compensate for changes in facial volume that occur with the natural process of aging.

If this procedure sounds like something that could help you obtain your goals, talk to us today to schedule a consultation.

Sydney Dentists Contrast Porcelain Dental Veneers and Teeth Whitening

The Paddington Dental Surgery dentists compare teeth whitening and porcelain veneers.

Dentists at The Paddington Dental Surgery explain the benefits of teeth whitening and porcelain dental veneers, contrasting the procedures to serve as a helpful resource to patients.

Sydney, AU — Two of the most popular cosmetic dental treatments are teeth whitening and porcelain dental veneers. While these two procedures have overlapping benefits, the Sydney dentists at The Paddington Dental Surgery explain that, typically, one or the other will better suit a patient’s needs and goals. To help individuals considering a treatment to improve the appearance of their smile, the Sydney dentists explained the differences between these common aesthetic enhancements.

The Paddington Dental Surgery dentists say that the differences between teeth whitening and dental veneers often comes down to whether patients want to address one cosmetic concern or several. Porcelain dental veneers, they explain, are designed to address a multitude of issues, including chips, gaps, cracks, worn down teeth, stains, and minor misalignment.

On the other hand, the Sydney dentists say that teeth whitening is singularly focused on lifting stains and brightening teeth. Drinking coffee, tea, or wine, using tobacco products, and engaging in certain other habits can cause staining, which The Paddington Dental Surgery dentists say often can be addressed with professional whitening techniques. However, some types of discolouration could resist bleaching. In this case, they say patients may want to consider porcelain veneers instead.

The Sydney dentists also note that other factors can play a role in which treatment is the optimal choice, including tooth sensitivity and budget. The Paddington Dental Surgery dentists recommend that individuals speak with an experienced cosmetic dentist to determine which technique is right for them.

About The Paddington Dental Surgery
The Paddington Dental Surgery offers a comprehensive selection of family, cosmetic, and restorative dental treatments to patients in the Sydney area. Led by Dr Duncan Copp and a team of experienced dental professionals, the office emphasises holistic techniques, eco-friendly practices, and customised treatment plans. The well-equipped facility boasts state-of-the-art technology and sedation dentistry options, which are designed to give each patient the best care possible.

For more information about The Paddington Dental Surgery, please visit thepaddingtondentalsurgery.com.au and plus.google.com/+ThepaddingtondentalsurgeryAu.

Contact:

The Paddington Dental Surgery
263 Glenmore Road
Paddington NSW 2021
Sydney, Australia
(02) 9331-2555

Rosemont Media
(858) 200-0044
www.rosemontmedia.com

Teeth Whitening and Porcelain Dental Veneers: A Comparison

smile

Many patients who want to enhance the appearance of their smile wonder which technique will provide the best results. Both teeth whitening and porcelain veneers are popular procedures at our practice, and they have many overlapping benefits. That said, they have a number of effects that are unique as well, and one or the other may be a better match for your needs and desired outcome. During your initial consultation, our experienced dentists can provide information specific to your smile goals. In the meantime, here are some of the ways these two treatments are similar and different:

Teeth whitening has a singular purpose: to brighten teeth and to remove unwanted stains. If your teeth have yellowed or become discoloured over time, teeth whitening can help bring your smile back to a whiter, more radiant appearance.

Porcelain dental veneers are designed to achieve several goals. They can improve the shape and proportion of teeth, cover stains, chips, gaps, and cracks, correct misalignment, and address worn down teeth. If you have multiple cosmetic concerns, or if you have stains too deep to lift with teeth whitening, porcelain veneers may be able to improve them all with one dental treatment.

The right approach for you will depend on a multitude of factors, including your dental health, anatomic needs, cosmetic goals, and budget. We will help you develop a treatment plan tailored to your individual concerns.

Can Teeth Bleaching Damage Gums?

shutterstock_80455696Bleaching can be a simple and effective way to improve the look of your smile. However, some patients fear that teeth whitening can be the cause of a variety of problems, including sensitivity and gum damage. While tooth sensitivity can be a common effect, gum damage is abnormal with professional treatments such as KöR® and Zoom!®. Irritation to the gums can occur in certain cases, though, and our experienced dentists explain how gum problems can develop, and what you can do to address them.

Most instances of gum irritation seem to occur with an ill-fitting mouth tray. At our practice, we create customised dental trays that precisely fit your smile for the most comfortable feel. Over-the-counter (OTC) whitening products, on the other hand, utilise one-size-fits-all trays and strips that may rub the gums, or they may extend beyond the teeth and spread the bleach onto the sensitive gum tissue. If this happens to you, we recommend calling us for a custom-made aligner.

Our dentists will be happy to inform you about the bleaching agents used in our treatments and how our techniques can achieve a brilliant result. OTC products vary from brand to brand in composition; in fact, they may vary from box to box. If you’re allergic to an additive, or if the peroxide has degraded, you may have an unwanted reaction, including irritated gums.

Typically, the safest course of action is to undergo a professionally supervised bleaching treatment. In the unlikely event a concern develops, you have an experienced dentist ready to help. Most people will have no negative consequences as a result of teeth whitening. Being well informed about your options and choosing the best one for you can help increase your chances of having an incident-free procedure as well.

We perform teeth bleaching treatments every day, and each one is tailored to the needs and goals of the patient. If you would like to know more about the process, or if you would like to schedule a consultation, please contact us today.

Stay up to date with our news