Wiregrass Seniors Magazine August 2017 AUGUST ISSUE | Page 4

Page 4
Hi Readers,
WiregrassSeniorsMagazine.com
Ask Dr. Gaunt
We have found that summertime is a popular time for people to invest in their appearance.
Whether it is Botox treatments, getting a spray tan, or even whitening their teeth. Last month
we talked about whitening using peroxide instead of the trendy charcoal treatment that some
people are trying, and that peroxide in the solutions that you use at home are a very mild
version of what is typically used in the "power" whitening that is done under supervision at
the dental office. In fact, the power whitening gel usually requires that the gums be covered
to keep them isoated from the material. This is quite ok, it just requires care.
“Your Hometown Dentist”
The primary question from patients is whether the teeth will be sensitive to the power whitening. Let's answer that
question with a little background about how it works. Peroxide oxidizes stains out of the pores of the teeth just like
Oxy-clean takes stains out of clothes. It breaks down the dark organic material that is in the pores of the teeth and
leaves them open temporarily until the saliva with its minerals can cover the pores back up. During the time that the
pores are open, temperature can make the teeth sensitive.
We prevent that sensitivity with a procedure that uses a mild whitening gel in trays that you wear at home for two
weeks. This gently oxidizes the stain out of the pores a little at a time so the pores aren't immediately wide open to
temperature. It also conditions the teeth to the change so that when we do the power whitening step, the teeth don't
have the sensitivity like typical power whitening does.
If you would like to learn more about the whitening that I just described, the company is called KOR and the website
is korwhitening.com. They have a lot of good information to help you in your decision to professionally whiten your
teeth!
To your Health and Happiness,
Geoff Gaunt,DMD
dothancosmeticdentistry.com
334-673-7440