the simple blog

OC Register reports on tooth whitening kiosks at the mall.  Customers sit in a chair while a technician (NOT a licensed dentist or hygienist) applies whitening gel and shines a light in their mouths.  While other states have shut these operations down, in California, they are reportedly being allowed to conduct business.  Here's our response to this latest retail trend.

Lipitor, Zocor, Nexium, Plavix, Celebrex, Fosamax, Singulair, and Prevacid...all of these top selling drugs have sold for billions of dollars, thanks to direct to consumer marketing.  Dental manufacturers, seeking pharmaceutical company profits, have begun to market direct to you, also.  We examine the pros and cons of direct to patient marketing in dentistry, and the specific claims of popular dental brands: Zoom, Invisalign, Damon and Cerinate.

Digital cameras tend to make teeth appear yellower than they actually are.  Even people with fairly white teeth may require a little digital touch-up.  PearlyWhites, a new Photoshop plugin from Image Trends, automatically whitens teeth and eyes (at least the white part).   If you're already using Adobe Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, you may want to check it out.  If you want to whiten your teeth "for real," check out our Whitening FAQ and Special Offers pages.

Q: I have a capped tooth in the front so that one will not whiten. I have 2 teeth that need a little whiten. They are on each side.

A: The dentist cannot whiten your capped tooth, but a home whitening kit is probably the best thing you could do here.

15 Minute Custom Tray Home Whitening is the safest and most affordable option.  15 Minute whitening fits into your busy schedule: Wake up, put in the gel, shower, take the trays out, and then brush your teeth.  Almost no additional time to your schedule.  The long term results of home whitening are indisputably better than one hour whitening alone, not to mention less expensive and less sensitive.

Does bleach weaken your enamel?  Does it really make your teeth more sensitive?  Do you do Zoom or Britesmile?  We answer these and over a dozen more frequently asked questions on tooth whitening.