Teeth discoloration is a common concern, prompting many individuals to explore teeth whitening solutions. Whether opting for at-home remedies or professional treatments, understanding the differences and determining the best option is essential for achieving desired results.

At-Home vs. Professional Whitening

At-Home Whitening Products

Whitening strips, pens, toothpaste.

• Pros: Convenient, cost-effective.
• Cons: Longer treatment duration, potential limitations based on tooth color and health.
• Risks: Risk of burned gums, tooth sensitivity, or pain if used incorrectly.

Professional Whitening

Custom-made trays for home use, in-office appointments.

• Pros: Safer, more effective results, professional supervision.
• Cons: Higher cost compared to over-the-counter products.
• Benefits: Ensures proper precautions, minimal risk to gums, targeted whitening on teeth.

Understanding Peroxide Concentration

Both over-the-counter and professional treatments utilize peroxide bleaching agents.

• Over-the-counter solutions: 3 – 20 percent peroxide.
• Professional solutions: 14 – 43 percent peroxide.

Higher peroxide concentrations require shorter application times to avoid tooth dehydration and sensitivity.

Determining the best teeth whitening option depends on individual preferences, budget, and desired results. While at-home treatments offer convenience and affordability, professional whitening ensures safety, effectiveness, and professional supervision. Consulting with your dentist is crucial to selecting the most suitable treatment for your needs. If opting for over-the-counter products, choose those with the ADA Seal of Acceptance for quality assurance.

Regular teeth cleanings are often recommended every six months, but is this frequency necessary for everyone? Let’s explore the significance of routine cleanings and whether the biannual guideline is universally applicable.

Understanding the Importance of Regular Teeth Cleanings

Preventing Plaque and Tartar Buildup:

• Professional cleanings remove plaque and tartar, preventing gum disease and tooth decay.
• Supplements regular oral hygiene routines for comprehensive cleaning.

Early Detection of Dental Issues:

• Enables dentists to identify cavities, broken fillings, or oral cancer early for prompt treatment.
• Early intervention often leads to simpler and less expensive dental procedures.

Maintaining Overall Health:

• Linked to systemic health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
• Contributes to overall well-being beyond oral health.

Is the Six-Month Rule Right for Everyone?

Low-Risk Patients:

• Good oral hygiene and history of no dental issues may necessitate less frequent cleanings.
• Dentist may recommend extending intervals between cleanings based on individual needs.

High-Risk Patients:

• History of dental problems or underlying health conditions may require more frequent cleanings.
• Recommended interval could be every three to four months for optimal oral health maintenance.

Factors Influencing the Frequency of Dental Cleanings

Personal Oral Hygiene:

• Better oral hygiene may reduce the need for frequent professional cleanings.

Age and Lifestyle:

• Children, older adults, smokers, and high-sugar diet individuals might require more frequent visits.

Medical History:

• Certain medical conditions increase the risk of oral health issues, necessitating more frequent cleanings.

Making the Right Choice for Your Dental Health

Consultation with Dentist:

• Discuss individual risk factors and oral health history with your dentist.
• Personalized schedule based on assessment ensures optimal oral health maintenance.

Regular teeth cleanings are essential for preventive dental care, with the six-month guideline serving as a standard recommendation. However, individual needs may vary based on oral hygiene, lifestyle, and medical history. Collaborating with your dentist to establish a personalized cleaning schedule is crucial for maintaining a healthy smile and overall well-being.

At Thrive Dental, we’re committed to providing individualized care. We’re here to help you make the best decision for your oral health. Contact us at (850) 463-0229 to schedule a consultation and learn more about the ideal dental care routine for you.

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Teeth whitening is a widely popular cosmetic procedure, with millions of individuals opting for whitening products, including dental professionals. At Thrive Dental Associates, we prioritize the safety and satisfaction of our patients by providing reliable teeth whitening services.

Side Effects of Teeth Whitening

Teeth Sensitivity:

• Experience sensitivity post-treatment.
• Sensitivity typically diminishes over time.
• Consult with your dentist for recommendations on managing sensitivity.

Irritated Gums:

• Possible gingival irritation if whitening products come into contact with gums.
• Precautions taken to minimize gum irritation risks.

Benefits of Teeth Whitening

Safety:

• American Dental Association (ADA) confirms safety and efficacy of hydrogen peroxide whiteners.
• Thrive Dental Associates prioritizes patient safety and minimizes side effects associated with at-home whitening products.

Quick Process:

• Efficient whitening process with noticeable results in just one session.
• Avoid waiting months for at-home products to take effect.

No Recurring Appointments:

• Professional whitening eliminates the need for frequent appointments.
• Over-whitening can lead to tooth damage, but professional sessions achieve desired results in just a few sessions.

Teeth whitening offers a safe and effective way to achieve a brighter smile. While some side effects like sensitivity and gum irritation may occur, proper precautions and professional supervision minimize risks. At Thrive Dental Associates, we ensure a quick, efficient whitening process with lasting results, without the need for recurring appointments. Contact us to schedule your teeth whitening session and achieve the radiant smile you desire.

Now that the rush of going back to school is over, it is time to schedule a visit to the dentist. And not just for the kids! At Thrive Dental, we make this easy to do by offering online scheduling on our website or by calling our office. This allows you to find a date and time that works best for you and your family. With the busy holiday season approaching, it is important to maintain a happy, healthy smile.

How often should you go to the dentist?

For regular dental check-ups, we recommend visiting every six months. Check-ups at least every six months will allow you to keep your mouth healthy. It also allows our team to stay up to date on any changes that may have occurred. According to the American Dental Association, a check-up and cleaning every six months is the best way to maintain a healthy smile. A good habit of brushing and flossing daily will keep teeth clean and healthy in between visits.

Why are dental check-ups important?

Through examination by a trained dentist, many oral health concerns can be detected and then treated. Dental checkups provide professional cleanings, oral cancer screenings, and digital X-rays to check for hidden issues. This helps to eliminate plaque buildup and other bacteria that daily brushing and flossing won’t effectively eliminate.

Why are brushing and flossing so important?

It is important to brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes each time. While you are brushing, make sure to brush every surface of the tooth. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush with a shape that best fits your mouth will result in the best cleaning. A toothbrush that correctly fits into your mouth will allow you to reach every tooth effectively. Brushing before school and before bed is a great schedule to aim for. Adding flossing to your brushing routine will take the cleaning to the next level. Flossing allows you to get a deeper clean between the teeth, where a toothbrush might not reach. Starting a thorough oral hygiene routine is key to maintaining optimal oral health in between dental visits. It might seem difficult to start, but add it to the morning routine before school.

Regular dental checkups are a must to keep a healthy and clean mouth. Talk with your dentist about any issues you are having with your teeth. The key is continually to visit the dentist for regular teeth cleanings to prevent problems altogether. Here at Thrive Dental, we’re always here to help you. Call our office at (850) 463-0229  to get an appointment for a dental checkup.

What are Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are your third, and last, set of molars to come in. Wisdom teeth usually come in somewhere between the ages of 17 to 25.

Why Do They Matter?

When wisdom teeth come in, they are usually misaligned. This means they can crowd or damage nearby teeth, or even your jawbone or nerves.

Impacted wisdom teeth are when wisdom teeth are stuck under your gums, or only partially break through the gums. Impacted wisdom teeth are often difficult to brush because of their position in the mouth, making tooth decay or gum disease more likely. Additionally, they can allow an opening for bacteria around the tooth, and a resulting infection can cause pain and swelling.

What Do I Do About Wisdom Teeth?

First, talk to your dentist about wisdom teeth. He or she can regularly x-ray your teeth, and decide if you should see an oral surgeon.

Sometimes, a dentist or oral surgeon will recommend removing wisdom teeth early. This will keep problems from developing later, and prevent a more complicated future surgery. It is also easier to remove wisdom teeth in young people, before the roots are completely developed.

What Does Wisdom Teeth Removal Involve?

The oral surgeon will give you either a local anesthetic to numb the area around where the wisdom teeth are being removed or a general anesthetic, depending on the procedure. The surgeon may also give you a sedative, you should ask your surgeon about this before the surgery to make sure you can drive yourself afterwards.

What Can I Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removal?

Only consume liquids until the numbness from the anesthesia wears off. After that, only eat soft foods for a few days. Depending on the type of pain medication you’re taking, you may need to avoid alcohol.

What Else Do I Need to Know About Recovery?

Take any antibiotics or pain medication as prescribed by your doctor. It’s also important to keep brushing your teeth after a wisdom tooth removal, but avoid the area where your wisdom teeth were removed for a day. Brush this area gently afterward.

Face swelling around the extraction site is common for the first day after removing. Bleeding may occur for several hours after the surgery as well.

Dry socket is another common complication that usually occurs several days after the extraction. Dry socket is caused by a blood clot failing to form in a removed tooth’s socket or when a blood clot did form, but got dislodged. This slows the healing process and can cause moderate to severe pain. If you experience dry socket, contact your dentist or oral surgeon for treatment.

Learn More About Wisdom Teeth Removal      Call Thrive Dental

Invisalign® revolutionized the way people look at orthodontic treatment. The clear aligner system from Invisalign® made it possible for people to discreetly improve their smiles. While Invisalign® allows people to love the appearance of their smile and avoids many of the discomforts of braces throughout the process, there should be more to consider when choosing orthodontic treatment. You should consider which treatment option will best treat your individual situation. While you should speak with our doctors before making your final decision, we have included issues that Invisalign® can effectively treat.

Crooked Teeth

Invisalign® is very effective at treating crooked teeth. The clear aligners offer a great solution for people to align their teeth and love their smile.

Overbite & Underbite

Invisalign® can be used to treat both an overbite and an underbite. An overbite is when the top front teeth extend beyond the bottom of your bottom front teeth. An underbite is when the lower jaw rests in front of the top jaw when the mouth is closed. Invisalign® can be used to move either the top or bottom teeth into the right place so that they align properly with the mouth closed.

Crossbite

A crossbite occurs when teeth don’t line up properly with the mouth closed. This could be the top teeth in the back of your mouth resting inside your bottom teeth or could be one or more of your top front teeth resting behind your bottom front teeth. Invisalign® can move teeth into the proper positions and treat a crossbite.

Gaps in Teeth & Crowded Teeth

These opposite issues can both be treated by Invisalign®. Gaps in teeth occur when there are large spaces between teeth. Crowded teeth happen when there is not enough room in the jaw for all of the teeth, often causing them to overlap or twist. Crowded teeth can make it easy for food to get stuck or plaque to build up, and should be addressed to keep optimal oral health.

Limitations of Invisalign®

While Invisalign® is an excellent option for many orthodontic issues, it does have its limitations. There are times when it may be best to go with braces. For severe orthodontic issues and intrusion and extrusion, braces often offer the force that is needed. It’s also important to note that Invisalign® continues to get better and better. We can now treat more complex orthodontic situations than we could even a few years ago. If you are interested if Invisalign® is the right treatment option for you, contact our Milton office at (850) 463-0229.

Dental implants have become a go-to procedure at Thrive Dental Associates for replacing missing teeth. Dental implant surgery replaces tooth roots with metal, screw-like posts and replaces damaged or missing teeth with artificial teeth that look and function much like real ones. This surgery is a great alternative to dentures and can offer an option when a lack of natural teeth roots don’t allow building denture or bridgework tooth replacements.

What are the risks?

Like any type of surgery, there are a few risks to getting dental implants. However, the problems that come with dental implant surgery are rare and typically minor and very treatable. Risks include:

• Sinus problems, when dental implants placed in the upper jaw protrude into one of your sinus cavities
• Injury or damage to surrounding structures, such as other teeth or blood vessels
• Nerve damage, which can cause pain, numbness or tingling in your natural teeth, gums, lips or chin
• Infection at the implant site

The advantages of using dental implants.

Dental implants are one of the most reliable dental procedures with a 95% success. They also offer advantages that other missing teeth solutions do not, such as:

• Appearance – Implants look and feel like your natural teeth.
• Speech – No need to worry about slipping dentures or loose bridges that can cause slurred speech.
• Comfort – Implants are permanent and stable, so no chaffing or discomfort will happen like with dentures.
• Oral health – Implant placement does not require modifying surrounding teeth as a bridge does. Also, implants stop bone deterioration and stimulate healthy bone tissue growth.

Dental Implant Procedure

When considering having a dental implant procedure, a patient will typically go through the following steps:

1. First, the patient will go through a thorough exam and consultation with the dentist. The dentist will then make an individualized treatment plan.
2. At the next appointment, the team will place your implant, which acts as a substitute tooth root.
3. Then, the tooth is given time (about 2-3 months) to heal and integrate with the bone tissue.
4. Once the implant has bonded to the bone tissue, a small connector called an abutment is attached to the implant.
5. Impressions are taken of your teeth to create either a custom crown to replace one tooth or an implant-supported bridge or denture for multiple missing teeth. Crown restorations are custom tinted, so they blend in beautifully with your natural teeth.
6. The finished crown, bridge, or denture is attached to the implant(s).

Once you get the finished implant in Milton, FL, your new teeth are ready to use! If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us at (850)463-0229. At Thrive Dental Associates, want your implants to look and feel like real teeth and you smile looking its best!

White teeth are typically associated with great oral health and good hygiene. But, this isn’t always the case. White spots on teeth, typically called white spot lesions, can be one of the earliest signs of tooth decay. There are a variety of reasons that these spots can appear on your teeth.

Causes of White Spots

White spots may be due to fluorosis, enamel hypoplasia, diet, and poor oral hygiene. The good news is that it’s treatable.

• Fluorosis (overexposure of fluoride). Fluoride is known for its benefits to teeth but too much fluoride, especially in teeth that are still developing, can have a negative effect.
• Enamel Hypoplasia (thinner enamel). Having thinner enamel than normal is usually a result of a nutrient deficiency. This can result from hereditary factors, vitamin deficiencies, or trauma to teeth.
• Poor Diet. Overconsumption of acidic or sugary food and beverages can cause white spots on your teeth. Because acid and sugar both erode enamel, you are more likely to experience white spots if your diet involves high amounts of acid and sugar.
• Poor Oral Hygiene. When you don’t properly brush and floss, plaque begins to accumulate. When plaque builds up, it eats away at your enamel, which can cause white spots to appear.

Treatment for White Spots

Treating the white spots/discoloration can involve enamel microabrasion, topical fluoride, teeth whitening, or dental veneers.

• Enamel Microabrasion. Your dentist will remove a small amount of your tooth’s enamel to reduce the appearance of white spots. This is typically followed by teeth whitening so teeth appear uniform in color.
• Topical Fluoride. Fluoride is applied to help the development of enamel on the teeth. This is commonly used for people who suffer from enamel hypoplasia.
• Teeth Whitening. Whitening can help balance the color between your teeth and the white spots, and other stains.
• Dental Veneers. Veneers are custom made with layers of ceramic materials and bonded to the front of your teeth. This is a great alternative if your teeth color can’t be improved with bleaching alone.

Summary

If you notice white spots on your teeth, contact your dentist for a consultation. While it may be a sign of early tooth decay, it can also be purely cosmetic. There are a variety of options to treat these spots. If you have any questions about white spots on teeth, contact our office!

One of the hottest topics in dentistry today is the use of dental implants. Implants have certainly revolutionized the field of replacement teeth. If you are considering tooth implants for missing teeth, you need to know the facts. There are pros and cons of dental implants that are carefully weighed by your dentist before surgery can be scheduled.

Research continually shows that dental implants are the best long term solution to replace missing teeth. However, like any type of surgery, there are advantages and disadvantages.

Cons of Dental Implants

No procedure is right for everyone, including dental implants. While there are some risks associated with dental implants, they are relatively mild. The disadvantages include:

1. You have to meet a set of requirements

In order to have dental implant surgery, you first have to meet certain criteria. As the procedure involves anchoring the implant to your jaw bone, if you’ve experienced significant bone loss as a result of losing teeth, there may not be enough for the dental implant to be successful. You also have to be in good health so your jaw bone can fully recover.

2. The cost of the procedure

While dental implants are the best long term solution for tooth loss, they’re not always the most cost effective. However, dental implants are well worth the price for the comfort, confidence and natural feel they give you.

3. The procedure can be lengthy

Dental implants are not a quick fix and can take several months to complete. If you’re replacing an existing damaged tooth, this will first need to be removed. Your dentist will then need to prepare the tooth site before fitting the implant anchor. Once the anchor has been fitted, you’ll need to wait several months while it heals and the surrounding bone grows. The final stage of the procedure involves placing the artificial tooth.

Pros of Dental Implants

While there are some drawbacks to dental implants, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.

1. They look and feel like natural teeth

Dental implants have the appearance of real teeth. In fact, once your implant has been fitted, you’ll hardly be able to tell the difference between your replacement tooth and your real teeth. Implants also won’t feel any different from your regular teeth. Since the implants are anchored to your jaw, they’ll feel just as strong as your regular teeth too.

2. You can eat and chew with ease

Unlike dentures, implants won’t feel any different than your regular teeth when eating and chewing. Once the dental implant procedure is complete, you can eat what you want! Whether you fancy crunchy snacks, chewy foods, or hot or cold drinks, you can eat and drink without concern — just remember not to overdo the sugary treats.

3. Dental implants can last a lifetime

Implants are a long-lasting tooth replacement solution. You may need to replace the crowns every 10-15 years, but if you look after the implants, they can last a lifetime.

4. They’re easy to take care of

You should take care of your implants the same way you would take care of your regular teeth with daily brushing and flossing, regular dental checkups and a healthy diet.

5. They prevent bone loss

Dental implants are anchored into your jaw, similar to your real teeth. The screw thread of the implant acts as the root of a natural tooth, so with dental implants, your jaw bone remains strong and you won’t experience bone loss.

You can see that the advantages heavily outweigh the disadvantages. Dental implants have been proven to be a great option for people who suffer from tooth loss. We always want to make our patients look and feel great, and dental implants is a great way to do that. We’re always happy to answer any questions you may have, so contact us!

It’s been over a year since the COVID-19 pandemic changed almost every aspect of our daily lives—including regularly visiting the dentist. However, this should soon be a thing of the past. Not visiting the dentist was one of the many ripple-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and even though it is not over, yet, things are looking up.

According to the ADA Health Policy Institute, confidence in going back to the dentist hit a new high since the pandemic started, with 94% of patients stating they are ready to go back to the dentist or they have already gone back to see the dentist, compared to August of 2020 where only 78% of patients had been back or were ready to go back to the dentist.

If you’re ready for your next dental checkup, contact us today to setup an appointment!

Continued Safety Protocols

As more and more people become fully vaccinated, the CDC has started to provide less-restrictive guidelines for these people. However, most recommended precautions, such as using personal protective equipment, have not changed for health care settings, including dental offices.

Even though we are seeing COVID-19 case numbers trending down, we still ask that you follow our guidelines for your safety and the safety of others, including:

• Do not come to the office if you have any symptoms of COVID-19
• Limit the number of people you bring to your appointment, if possible
• Wear a mask until notified that you can remove it

Per the CDC, we are regularly consulting with our state and local health departments for region-specific information and recommendations, as they monitor trends in local case counts and adjust accordingly.

We understand that you may not feel comfortable quite yet, or you have questions about the protocols we’ve implemented in our office to keep patients safe. You can review our entire list of COVID-19 Safety Protocols or you can contact us and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.