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Have you ever wondered why some people have dull and yellow teeth, while others have bright, white smiles? It’s not luck.

Everyone’s teeth naturally dull over time because of aging and the contact our teeth experience with staining foods, such as chocolate and coffee. However, teeth-whitening treatments can give you the whiter smile you’ve been after.

Get Regular Treatments

Unfortunately, the effects of teeth-whitening or bleaching treatments are only temporary, but regular treatments at Cardinale Dentistry can help keep your teeth white for much longer.

The effects of in-office bleaching can last for several months to a year, so you may prefer to repeat your use of at-home bleaching kits every few months to maintain your white teeth. Whitening toothpastes do not contain bleach and are safe to use every day.

Have Realistic Expectations

Not everyone’s teeth can be turned bright white. Some just don’t respond to whitening treatments. If your teeth are a light yellowish color, they may readily respond to teeth-whitening procedures, but bleach will not likely work on grayish teeth. Brownish teeth tend to fall somewhere in between.

Practice Good Oral Hygiene

For the best whitening results, it’s necessary to keep your teeth in good health. Visible fillings, implants, or bridges that are metallic stand out against the white color you’ll want to achieve.

Maintaining good oral hygiene will help you avoid tooth decay and keep your smile bright. In addition to brushing your teeth twice a day, these actions can help promote a healthy mouth:

• Floss every day
• Visit our Naples, FL office every six months for professional cleanings
• Rinse your mouth with water after each meal and snack
• Limit sugary and starchy foods and beverages that can stain teeth, especially between meals

Experiencing tooth or oral pain is not fun. If you cannot get to Cardinale Dentistry right away, the pain may even seem to increase. The old saying that a tooth will stop hurting once you get to a dentist is not that far from true. However, there are many tips you can try to relieve your oral pain until you can see Dr. Vincent Cardinale and Dr. Chris Moody.

Common Pain Relief Options

First, try to determine the source of the pain. This is sometimes not possible, but it may help. If you are experiencing pain between your teeth or along the gum line, try swishing some warm salt water in your mouth. One teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of warm (not hot) water is all you need.

The pain you are experiencing could be a particle of food stuck under your gum. You can also try flossing as long as bleeding is not present. Salt water soothes other mouth irritations to reduce pain.

You can try over-the-counter pain relievers, including oral medications or topical gels. Avoid taking aspirin; it thins your blood, which could end up being a problem for dental work. Wash your hands before applying any topical pain treatments to avoid spreading germs.

Clove Oil

Clove oil works quickly to relieve most oral pain. Place a few drops of clove oil on a damp cotton ball and place the cotton in your mouth near the painful area. Do not use this method overnight, because you don’t want to swallow the cotton.

Whole cloves can also be used, but try to remove any sharp edges first. Place a few pieces in your mouth and allow your saliva to soften the clove. Some sources say that chewing the clove helps, but you shouldn’t do this if you have a fractured tooth.

Other Household Remedies

If you have cough drops that include benzocaine or menthol, you can try sucking on a cough drop for relief. Placing a warm, wet tea bag against a painful oral area can sometimes reduce the pain as well.

Toothpastes designed to relieve pain from sensitive teeth may work. While these pastes do take time to reach full effectiveness, they can be helpful if you have to wait several days.

Remember that these tips are only designed to provide temporary pain relief. You need to schedule an appointment at Cardinale Dentistry quickly. Call and schedule an emergency appointment with Dr. Vincent Cardinale and Dr. Chris Moody as soon as possible.

Today, we thought we’d talk a little about Philips Zoom whitening at Cardinale Dentistry. Philips Zoom, a professional teeth whitening treatment, gets your teeth an average of eight shades whiter in just one hour at our convenient Naples, FL office. It is a great way to enhance the appearance of your smile.

With Dr. Vincent Cardinale and Dr. Chris Moody, Philips Zoom is safe, simple, and relaxing! Not only that, but Philips Zoom is championed by dentists and patients from coast-to-coast as a pain-free process.

After three 15-minute applications within one hour, your treatment is complete, leaving you with a brighter, whiter smile. It’s that easy!

Please give us a call to schedule an appointment for Philips Zoom whitening.

Dental visits are often negatively associated with discomfort in many people’s minds. But at Cardinale Dentistry, Dr. Vincent Cardinale and Dr. Chris Moody and our team have created an atmosphere focused on dispelling those myths. Our team is truly passionate about dentistry, and we are trained to gently accommodate each individual patient’s needs, with every procedure and visit performed with the utmost focus on your comfort.

If you are a patient of record at Cardinale Dentistry, we are committed to your oral health and are available to you. If you would like to learn more about stress-free dentistry at our Naples, FL office, or to schedule an appointment, we encourage you to give us a call!