Summit Dental Group
Menu
Summit Dental Group Logo
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Meet the Dentists
    • Meet the Team
  • Services
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
    • Veneers
    • Invisalign
    • Teeth Whitening
    • Dental X-Rays
    • Teeth Cleaning
    • Night Guards
    • Dental Extractions
    • Dental Implants
    • Sports Guards
    • Root Canals
    • Periodontal Disease Therapy
    • Dental Crowns
    • Dental Bridges
  • Patient Info
    • Online Payments
    • Patient forms, Cancellation Policy, Medical records transfer
    • FAQs
    • Dental Membership Plan
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
Request An Appointment

New Patients: (208) 314-2275

Existing Patients: (208) 345-8962

Summit Dental Group - Blog

02

Mar

Boise Dental: The Truth Behind Oral Health Care Products

  • Dr. Amy Leberman
  • Blog
Toothpaste on the Tooth Brush

We’ve all seen the advertisements and television commercials for oral health care products that claim to make your smile healthy and beautiful. These include whitening strips, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and chewing gum. Even more, many of these products are easy to find at your local grocery store and come in a variety unique flavors while promising fast results. However, many of these products can actually be harmful to your teeth over time. That’s why the Boise dentists at Summit Dental would like to keep you informed and educated about the truth behind many of these popular over-the-counter oral health care products.

Over-The-Counter Whitening Strips

Whitening strips come in a wide variety of brands and promise fast, easy results. Easily applied they claim to whiten your smile in a few as two weeks. The truth behind whitening strips is that they contain hydrogen peroxide, which works to whiten your teeth by penetrating the porous enamel. Hydrogen peroxide then produces oxygen that reacts with the discolored enamel of your teeth to chemically change it, providing you with temporary results. However, this chemical reaction can weaken the outer layer of your enamel, causing it to erode over time. In some cases, the damage done can be permanent. Teeth can also become darkened and more susceptible to staining than they were before.

It is far better to seek out a teeth whitening treatment from a Boise dental professional. Your Boise dentist will check your teeth to ensure they are healthy and that discoloration isn’t the result of something far more serious than staining. Whitening under the supervision of a Boise dentist can also prevent burns and other potential damage that many over-the-counter products can cause.

Whitening Toothpaste

Using a whitening toothpaste may seem like the easiest way to control unwanted stains. However, whitening toothpaste can also cause permanent damage your teeth. That’s because many kinds of whitening toothpastes contain tiny abrasive particles that remove stains by scratching the outer surface of your enamel. After scratching away the stained layer of your teeth the layer below the stain starts to appear whiter. However, this can result in the loss of enamel which can lead to tooth decay and other expensive Boise dental procedures. That’s why you should always consult with your Boise dentist about what toothpastes they suggest using and more importantly the safe teeth whitening treatments they provide.

Hard-Bristled Toothbrushes

Some people think that a hard-bristled toothbrush is a perfect tool for obtaining a whiter, brighter smile. However, they can actually damage your teeth. While toothpaste is already somewhat abrasive, adding the harsh scrubbing of a hard-bristled toothbrush can further scrape away your enamel. Additional damage can also be caused if you brush your teeth soon after eating or drinking something acidic. Acid softens the enamel of our teeth making the top layer much more susceptible to erosion. That’s why the Boise dentists at Summit Dental always suggest using a soft-bristled toothbrush for the best and safest results.

Chewing Gum

Some brands of chewing gum use xylitol instead of sugar as their main ingredient. Xylitol is a natural sweetener that can help prevent cavities and reduce plaque. However, there are some negative effects of chewing gum on a regular basis. For people that chew gum in excess, sticky residue can be left behind making your teeth the ideal breeding ground for bacteria. Gum can also potentially pull out fillings while stressing the jaw over time. Instead of chewing gum, you may want to consider the occasional sugar-free breath mint to help freshen your breath while increasing bacteria-fighting saliva production.

Summit Dental Group

It’s important to spend a little time researching the oral health care products you use to maintain the long-term health of your teeth and gums. At Summit Dental Group we believe that preventative care and education are extremely important to optimal dental health. We focus on thorough exams, checking the overall health of teeth and gums, knowing how crucial this is to preventing dental disease.

Not only are we concerned about the beauty of our patient’s smile, we are also concerned about the overall health of our patients. Whether your dental needs are a complete exam and cleaning, a full mouth restoration, or anything in between, Summit Dental Group will provide exceptional care as we restore and enhance the natural beauty of your smile.

If you are looking for safe, effective oral health care services, contact us at (208) 314-2275 to schedule an appointment.

Back to Blog Page

Recent Posts

  • Our Boise Dentists Will Suggest Boise Dental X-rays When….
  • Great Children’s Books on Dental Health
  • A Boise Dentists Guide to Dental Insurance
  • A Boise Dentist Guide to Improving Gum Health
  • What is a Full Mouth Reconstruction?

Recent Comments

No comments to show.

Archives

  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010

Categories

  • Blog
  • Uncategorized

Success Stories

Read More Stories
782 S Americana Blvd, Boise, ID 83702
New Patients: (208) 314-2275
Existing Patients: (208) 345-8962

Monday – Thursday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Friday: 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM

  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site Map
© 2023 Summit Dental Group. All Rights Reserved. Powered by www.ekwa.com
  • Call
  • Appointment
  • Treatments
  • Find us
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Meet the Dentists
    • Meet the Team
  • Services
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
    • Veneers
    • Invisalign
    • Teeth Whitening
    • Dental X-Rays
    • Teeth Cleaning
    • Night Guards
    • Dental Extractions
    • Dental Implants
    • Sports Guards
    • Root Canals
    • Periodontal Disease Therapy
    • Dental Crowns
    • Dental Bridges
  • Patient Info
    • Online Payments
    • Patient forms, Cancellation Policy, Medical records transfer
    • FAQs
    • Dental Membership Plan
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Appointment Request
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site Map
  • Cosmetic Dentistry
  • Veneers
  • Invisalign
  • Teeth Whitening
  • Dental X-Rays
  • Teeth Cleaning
  • Night Guards
  • Dental Extractions
  • Dental Implants
  • Sports Guards
  • Root Canals
  • Periodontal Disease Therapy
  • Dental Crowns
  • Dental Bridges
  • New Patients:
  • Existing Patients: