Brighten up the Shorter Days with a Whiter Smile, ask your dentist in Leeds

The nights are drawing in and summer is definitely over. However hopefully there’s still plenty to smile about, and you can ensure your teeth always look their best through having teeth whitening. This is something that we frequently carry out for patients of Leeds City Dentalcare, and it can be incredibly successful at helping to transform a smile. Treatment is quick and easy, and it’s very affordable.

Much Safer Than Using Over-The-Counter Whitening Kits
Dentist LeedsIf you have never tried teeth whitening before then you will be amazed at the difference a professional treatment can make. If you have tried over-the-counter whitening kits, then you’ll find whitening at our Leeds dental surgery is far more successful as Dr David Brown, a dentist in Leeds, and the dentists in our practice are able to use bleaching gels that are stronger than anything you can purchase yourself. Above all, our teeth whitening is completely safe, as we will ensure your teeth and gums are not harmed during the procedure.

We use a system of home whitening trays that are specifically made to fit over your teeth. The bleaching gels help to lift stains in a way that is gentle but effective, restoring your teeth to their natural colour. All you need to do is make sure you wear the trays each day for a specified period of time, depending on the colour you’re hoping to achieve, and how well you’re able to tolerate the whitening trays. They are very comfortable to use and most people will be able to keep them in overnight without any problems.

If you’ve ever used the whitening trays sold in the home whitening kits at your local chemists or online, then you’ll find these trays are quite a revelation as they are much easier to wear. The particular system offered by Leeds City Dentalcare has been safely used for well over a decade, and contains active ingredients that help to harden your tooth enamel, as well as ingredients designed to reduce tooth sensitivity. You’ll see results in just a few days, although you’ll probably need to use the trays for up to two weeks.

It’s worth noting that teeth whitening in Leeds will not work on existing restorations, and it could be that you have some stained fillings that could do with renewing. This is another quick and easy fix, and will help maintain your oral health as all fillings need replacing every few years. White fillings are made from a composite resin, and it can be closely matched to the shade of your newly bleached pearly whites. This can make quite a difference to your smile, especially if you have fillings in the front of your mouth, or if you have older amalgam fillings that create dark patches, or almost look as if they have stained your teeth.

Neither of these options will cost a fortune, so it is a bit like having a mini smile makeover, just in time to brighten up for winter. Of course if you are looking for something a little more extensive then you’ll find our dentists in Leeds are happy to help, as we can offer a comprehensive range of cosmetic dentistry treatments to transform your smile.

Dr. David S Brown

David is principal dentist & clinical director of Leeds City Dentalcare. Having graduated at Leeds University & at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, he joined the practice in 1990 & took over as principal in 1992. He has a passion for ensuring that we are equipped with the very latest & finest equipment available securing our place as one of the best equipped practices in Yorkshire.

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Worst Foods for Staining Your Teeth after Whitening

Have you recently had your teeth whitened at Leeds City Dentalcare? They probably look great, but how can you keep them looking that way for as long as possible? Although they will gradually darken, there are various adjustments that you can make to your diet and lifestyle that could keep them looking brighter and whiter for longer. Certain foods and drinks are known to be particularly bad, and even making small changes could help your pearly whites stay that way for a little longer.

The worst offenders include:

Cosmetic Dentistry Leeds

  • Black coffee or tea, and just adding milk to dilute the strength can help to lessen the staining effects.
  • Red and white wine will stain your teeth. This might come as a surprise as although red wine is well known for staining teeth, white wine is often regarded as being safe. White wine can be bad for your teeth as it is very acidic, and will soften your tooth enamel, increasing its susceptibility towards staining, especially if you enjoy a glass of white wine, followed by something highly coloured.
  • Sports drinks and fizzy drinks are also very acidic, and will increase the risk of other foods being able to penetrate your tooth enamel.
  • Berries such as blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and blackcurrants are well-known for being part of a healthy diet, but they are not loved by your teeth. If you do enjoy a bowlful of berries then try to rinse out your mouth with water afterwards, as this will at least rinse away some of the remains, and will reduce the acidity in your mouth.
  • Coloured sauces such as soy sauce and tomato sauce are able to stain your teeth, so are best enjoyed as part of a main meal, and once again be sure to drink plenty of water to wash away any particles that may have stuck to your teeth.
  • Salad dressings containing balsamic vinegar, or dipping your bread in this vinegar and olive oil will increase the rate of tooth staining. Interestingly balsamic vinegar is better enjoyed on a salad, as lettuce does leave a protective film over your teeth which will at least help to prevent some of the staining.
  • Fruit juices, in particular those that are very highly pigmented, such as cranberry or pomegranate, can cause staining, not least because they are also very acidic. The best way to enjoy these healthy drinks is through a straw, as this will minimise the contact they have with your teeth.
  • Sucking sweets all day will rot your teeth, but may also stain them. Next time you eat your favourite sweet take a look at your tongue in the mirror. If it has stained your tongue then it will almost certainly do the same to your teeth.
  • Chicken Tikka Masala may be a national dish, but that tasty sauce won’t do much for the colour of your teeth. Considering how notoriously hard it can be to remove curry stains from clothes, it is hardly surprising that it will colour your teeth.

In general, if you spill food or drink down a white shirt, and it leaves a nasty stain, then it is likely to be doing the same to your teeth. The good news is that Dr David Brown, or any our dentist in Leeds, will be able to prescribe additional whitening gel for use in your home whitening trays, as the results can be topped up every so often.

Dr. David S Brown

David is principal dentist & clinical director of Leeds City Dentalcare. Having graduated at Leeds University & at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, he joined the practice in 1990 & took over as principal in 1992. He has a passion for ensuring that we are equipped with the very latest & finest equipment available securing our place as one of the best equipped practices in Yorkshire.

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Whitening Your Teeth Safely at Leeds City Dentalcare

Teeth whitening has to be one of the most popular cosmetic dental treatments available today, but many people underestimate the strength of the whitening gels used, and they also tend to forget that this is a dental treatment. A new website launched recently aims to protect the public from harmful and illegal teeth whitening. The website is www.safetoothwhitening.org and its aim is to educate the public on how to achieve whiter teeth in a manner that is safe and legal. It also allows people to report those non-dental professionals who are carrying out teeth whitening illegally. Anyone who finds teeth whitening products containing more than 0.1% peroxide being sold by anyone other than the dental professional can also report this. An Internet company was recently prosecuted for selling peroxide-based teeth whitening products that were up to 30 times the permitted strength.

Dentist LeedsThe website has been set up by leading dental bodies who are concerned that teeth whitening treatments are still being promoted and sold illegally. Since October last year, whitening products containing or releasing between 0.1% and 6% hygiene peroxide can only be sold by a registered dental professional. In addition the first application has to be carried out under a dentist’s supervision in the surgery.

Teeth whitening is a Dental Procedure

Teeth whitening is a dental procedure, and if you care about your teeth then it’s best to visit Leeds City Dental care for a full consultation before using any type of whitening product whatsoever. Dr David Brown, or any of our dentists will be able to tell you if it’s safe for you to bleach your teeth. We will only recommend this treatment if we’re absolutely sure it’s right for you. When carried out by a dental professional, teeth whitening is completely safe and very effective, but when carried out illegally it could damage your teeth and gums permanently. It’s simply not worth the risk, especially as teeth whitening treatments offered by your dentist in Leeds are far more affordable than you might imagine.

Leeds City Dentalcare Uses a Gentle Whitening System

Leeds City Dental care uses a very gentle whitening system that utilizes teeth whitening trays that can be left in for several hours or overnight. The process will gradually restore your teeth to a natural white colour, and this is something that usually takes a couple of weeks. Once you have your custom-made whitening trays, then provided you look after them they can be reused periodically to touch up your smile, as our needs surgery will prescribe the appropriate whitening gel for your needs. The exact strength will take into account any tooth sensitivity, and the degree of whitening required.

This is far safer than putting your teeth and gums and risk by purchasing a kit online. It might seem cheap, but any whitening trays are unlikely to fit well and you could find the bleaching gel leaks out onto your gums, at the very least this will cause irritation. Choosing a gel that’s too strong for your needs will not result in beautifully white teeth, but could mean you end up over bleaching your teeth so they end up grey or they may even appear almost translucent. Either way it won’t be the result you’re looking for, and it’s highly likely that you’ll damage your teeth in the process.

Dr. David S Brown

David is principal dentist & clinical director of Leeds City Dentalcare. Having graduated at Leeds University & at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, he joined the practice in 1990 & took over as principal in 1992. He has a passion for ensuring that we are equipped with the very latest & finest equipment available securing our place as one of the best equipped practices in Yorkshire.

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Have Teeth Whitening in Leeds

This treatment will work well for most people, but you do need to check with your dentist first. It is one of the most requested cosmetic dentistry in Leeds, but it’s important to remember it is a dental treatment. This is why it’s vital to have a check-up at Leeds City Dentalcare before using any type of tooth whitening product. Dr David Brown or another of our dentists will carefully check your teeth and gums for any signs of disease. It is important as otherwise the bleaching gels used to whiten teeth could irritate and inflame your gums, and could make any other conditions such as dental decay worse. That is because the bleach will be able to penetrate areas of your mouth where it shouldn’t be able to, and this is something that could be quite painful!

Cosmetic Dentistry LeedsTooth bleaching won’t work so well on certain teeth, and this is something else that Dr Dave Brown can discuss with you at the time. For instance it won’t lighten the colour of any porcelain crowns or bridges you may have, so you need to be careful that you don’t end up with an uneven looking smile. Teeth whitening can work particularly well for teeth that are stained or coloured yellow, but works less well on teeth that have purplish or grey hues. If your teeth have white flecks, or look as if they are covered in white lace, then you may have dental fluorosis. This is something that is caused through being exposed to too much fluoride as a child, while the adult teeth are still developing. Dental fluorosis does not always respond so well to teeth whitening, but again this is something our dentist in Leeds will discuss with you. We’ll also tell you what type of shade we think you can safely achieve through teeth whitening in Leeds.

Leeds City Dentalcare uses Nite White

We use the Nite White system to whiten our patient’s teeth, as we feel it delivers the best and safest results. It gently whitens your teeth overnight, so it won’t interfere with your day-to-day routine. Nite White contains active ingredients to not only whiten your teeth, but also to strengthen them at the same time through helping to re-build your tooth enamel.

Our Leeds dentists will show you how to use the custom-made whitening trays, and we will supply you with the correct strength of bleaching gel to comfortably whiten your teeth. One of the advantages of whitening your teeth using this method is that you can control the results, and it can make your teeth feel far less sensitive than having them whitened in just an hour or so.

Although it’s nice to have your teeth whitened quickly, the process can dehydrate them quite substantially as it makes the tooth enamel more porous, and as the teeth gradually rehydrates they can change colour and may look a little darker than when you originally had the first treatment.

You won’t get such substantial changes with this type of system, and if your teeth do feel particularly sensitive after whitening, then you can always stop for a day or two to let them adjust before continuing with the process. Another advantage of this system is that the whitening trays are custom-made for you and are extremely comfortable to wear and we can always supply additional bleaching gel so you can top of the results at a later date.

Dr. David S Brown

David is principal dentist & clinical director of Leeds City Dentalcare. Having graduated at Leeds University & at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, he joined the practice in 1990 & took over as principal in 1992. He has a passion for ensuring that we are equipped with the very latest & finest equipment available securing our place as one of the best equipped practices in Yorkshire.

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Is Your Diet Staining Your Teeth?

If you have recently had your teeth whitened at Leeds City Dentalcare then we hope you are thrilled with the results. We will have already given you lots of advice on how to keep your teeth whiter for longer, but your teeth will eventually become darker, and you will need to re-use your tooth whitening trays periodically to maintain your gleaming smile. However the colour of your teeth can also be influenced by your diet, so if you really want to keep your pearly whites bright and shiny then you may need to make a few minor adjustments to the types of foods you eat. Some foods are definitely worse offenders than others, and the list may surprise you.

  • Many of our patients at our Leeds surgery are already well aware of the staining qualities of tea and coffee, but these can be very tricky to give up completely. Coffee can be diluted with milk or cream, and the calcium content can be an extra boost for dental health, but black tea is a little trickier. Drinking green or white tea can be a good substitute, and these teas are good for dental health but don’t always have the same appeal as a cuppa.
  • Red and white wines are also bad offenders, and we’re sure red wine is no surprise. We find some of our patients at our Leeds surgery are intrigued to learn white wine is bad for staining teeth, and the reason for this is due to its high acidity. White wine can soften the tooth enamel so if you then eat something staining it will be more able to penetrate the tooth.
  • Fruit juices are high in acids, and although they may seem healthy they can also be high in sugars. It is best to drink diluted fruit juice, or to simply replace it with a piece of crunchy fruit withhigh water content, such as an apple or pear.
  • Lots of people have got into the habit of having bread with balsamic vinegar and olive oil, but this highly coloured vinegar can stain the teeth. Balsamic vinegar isn’t quite so bad when used in salad dressings, and the reason for this is that lettuce can form a film over the teeth, helping to protect them.
  • Tomato based sauces are a favourite with many, as they tend to be lower in calories and are perceived as being healthier than cream based sauces. While this may be true they are not quite so good for teeth. It can help to make sure you eat plenty of vegetables with this type of meal as this will help to lessen the staining effects.
  • Fizzy drinks can be very high in sugar, providing food for plaque bacteria in the mouth. These bacteria produce acids as a by-product of feeding which will weaken the tooth enamel, increasing its porosity and the chance of it becoming stained. Diet versions may be lower in calories but are just as bad for teeth as they contain phosphoric and citric acids that will attack and soften the tooth enamel. The best thing to do is to drink these through a straw to limit the amount of contact they have with your teeth.
  • Curries also make it onto this list. The reason as to why is pretty obvious as their staining qualities on clothes is well known.

It would be impossible to cut out all these foods from your diet, and life wouldn’t be much fun if you tried. The solution is to eat everything in moderation, and to be sure you visit Dr David Brown for regular check-ups and that you book a professional cleaning with our dentist in Leeds surgery at the same time. Professional cleanings can help to gently remove some of these surface stains, giving your smile a boost while improving your oral health.

Dr. David S Brown

David is principal dentist & clinical director of Leeds City Dentalcare. Having graduated at Leeds University & at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, he joined the practice in 1990 & took over as principal in 1992. He has a passion for ensuring that we are equipped with the very latest & finest equipment available securing our place as one of the best equipped practices in Yorkshire.

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Tooth Whitening at Leeds City Dentalcare

Teeth whitening is one of our most popular cosmetic dental treatments, and it is little wonder. When properly done by an expert dentist such as our very own Dr David Brown, it is safe and effective, and can create a more youthful and healthy appearance. Teeth can darken naturally as we age, but there is no need to put up with a smile that appears yellow or stained.

Why do Teeth Darken?

The teeth of younger people are often naturally whiter, and this may be partially due to genetics, but is also down to the fact that they have a thicker layer of enamel protecting their teeth. If you compare the teeth of a younger person with someone older then you’ll notice the older person’s teeth have much more colour, but appear more translucent towards the biting edge. This is due to the enamel covering the tooth being a lot thinner, allowing more of the underlying tooth structure to show through. This is substance called dentine, and it contains the natural shade of the tooth.

This darkening effect can also be due to lifestyle choices; if you enjoy a glass or two of red wine, or just love your Friday night curries then your teeth are more likely to be stained. Smoking is another major culprit.

Choosing the Whitening System Right for You

You can choose to have your teeth bleached in our Leeds dental surgery, using the Opalescence Tooth Whitening system, or you can choose to bleach them in the privacy of your own home, using the Nite White system. Both methods have their advantages.

Opalescence will give you results in less than an hour. It is an extremely safe system that doesn’t use heat, light or UV light to activate the bleach. Another advantage is that the gel contains fluoride, helping to strengthen your tooth enamel, and reducing sensitivity.

The Nite White system gently whitens your teeth overnight, and also contains ingredients designed to strengthen tooth enamel. The bleaching gel comes in several different percentages, and one of our dentists will prescribe the strength they feel is most appropriate for your needs.

If you need your teeth bleached quite quickly for a special event, then you may wish to have them whitened in our comfortable dental surgery. However some people prefer to have more control over tooth whitening in Leeds, and find bleaching at home more suitable.

Can Anyone Have Their Teeth Whitened?

The short answer to this is no, as it is essential to have a full check-up with one of our dentists before bleaching your teeth. Your teeth need to be cavity free, and your gums must be healthy. When healthy teeth are whitened the procedure is very safe, but if an unhealthy mouth is exposed to the bleach it could be painful, and may worsen any existing dental diseases.

It is not suitable for children, and isn’t recommended for pregnant women or those who are breast feeding. While there is no hard evidence that it is bad for the baby, there has been far too little research to conclude it is completely safe. Some people may find they swallow tiny amounts of bleach during the whitening process, and while this is completely harmless for an adult, it would not be advisable for an unborn child.

Teeth Whitening Won’t Bleach Existing Dental Work

If you’d like a whiter smile but already have veneers, crowns, or bridge work, then bleach will not affect their colour. The bleaching gel cannot whiten porcelain, and you will need to budget to have these restorations replaced. If you are considering having a smile makeover then our Leeds dentists always recommend getting your teeth whitened first, the reason being that dental veneers and crowns can be more accurately matched to your sparkling new smile, rather than trying to whiten your teeth to match. Get dentist in Leeds to achieve brighter and whiter teeth at Leeds City Dentalcare.

Dr. David S Brown

David is principal dentist & clinical director of Leeds City Dentalcare. Having graduated at Leeds University & at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, he joined the practice in 1990 & took over as principal in 1992. He has a passion for ensuring that we are equipped with the very latest & finest equipment available securing our place as one of the best equipped practices in Yorkshire.

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