A Whiter Smile Next Year

Everyone likes to make a make a great impression with a nice bright smile.  Alta Loma Dental Care provides an at-home whitening system to patients that you can use to whiten and brighten your smile gradually at home.  Patients with serious and minor stains can both see great results from this whitening treatment.  A consultation can help you determine how severe your stains are and what kind of results you can expect from a whitening treatment.  Come visit us about teeth whitening and start the New Year with your best smile!

To whiten your teeth at home, we outfit patients with whitening gel and a set of custom trays for application.  A dentist takes an impression of your teeth, and from this impression two custom trays are made for your top and bottom teeth.  The trays are made for you to take home and use by applying gel to the trays and then fitting them over your teeth. The dentist’s recommendation of how often to treat and how long each treatment should last may vary.  When following the dentist’s recommendations, most patients see results of teeth whitening 4-8 shades.

To learn more about teeth whitening and all the services we provide at our practice, visit www.altalomadentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment in our Alta Loma, CA office, call Alta Loma Dental Care at 909-987-6268.

ZOOM! Teeth Whitening

At Alta Loma Dental Care, our doctors offer ZOOM! teeth whitening to patients looking to treat surface stains or whiten their natural teeth.  This professional whitening system delivers dramatic results, and treatment can be completed in the office in as little as an hour.

ZOOM! Whitening combines whitening gel with an activator light to penetrate the enamel and break up stains at the dentin layer.  When stains penetrate the tooth enamel they can darken the color of the dentin, the hard tissue layer of your tooth under the enamel. When the dentin is darkened it can make the whole tooth appear yellow.  Once the gel is applied to your teeth, the light activates and accelerates the whitening process.  When the chemical reaction lightens the color of the dentin, the whole tooth is free to become whiter. A dentist can tell you based on the level of staining on your teeth what results you can expect from ZOOM! whitening. Patients have seen their smile lighten up to ten shades after a one-hour treatment!

If you have questions or concerns about dental bridges, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.altalomadentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment in our Alta Loma, CA office, call Alta Loma Dental Care at 909-987-6268.

Dangers of Intrinsic Stains

Patients at Alta Loma Dental Care can count on us for all their cosmetic needs, but some tooth stains are beyond the ability of normal cosmetic treatments. Extrinsic stains are those on the outside of a tooth, which are caused by prolonged exposure to dark liquids such as coffee and smoke. They can be treated with bleaching. But intrinsic stains affect the pulp of a tooth, which is sometimes too deep for bleaching to have an effect.

An intrinsic stain could be the result of something that affected the tooth during its formation or of trauma. If the tooth is discolored due to overexposure to something like fluoride or tetracycline antibiotics, it may be covered with a veneer. However, if the pulp is infected, a root canal is necessary to prevent the infection from spreading further and causing the patient a severe tooth ache. The worst dental infections can even cause facial abscesses and sepsis. Once the pulp has been removed and the tooth has been sealed, the doctors and patients can precede with more normal cosmetic restoration, although it is possible that the entire crown will need to be replaced.

If you have questions or concerns about teeth whitening, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.altalomadentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment in our Alta Loma, CA office, call Alta Loma Dental Care at 909-987-6268.

Avoiding Uneven Staining After Braces

Preventing staining can keep a smile white and bright and it is even more important while you are wearing braces. Because the brackets are usually in place for at least a year, staining can lead to uneven marks when the braces come off. At Alta Loma Dental Care in Alta Loma, CA, we offer professional teeth whitening; however it is nice to know how to avoid staining, as well.

The main part of keeping a white smile is keeping a great dental hygiene routine. This includes brushing your teeth for the recommended amount of times and doing a thorough job. It will help to brush after every meal. Just be sure to wait at least thirty minutes after eating to protect your enamel. Also, be sure to hit spots like the roof of your mouth, your inner cheeks, and your tongue. These places, especially your tongue, can collect bacteria just like your teeth. It will help to pick up some extra supplies like an interdental cleaner and floss threaders. These make it easier to clean around the brackets and wires.

When it comes to dark foods and drinks, they are okay every now and then but try to avoid consuming them frequently. Examples of these foods are cranberries, tomato soup, coffee, and tea. Liquids can be sipped through a straw to minimize contact. Rinsing your mouth out afterward can also help deter any lasting staining.

Interested in perfecting your smile? Inquire about our orthodontic options and professional teeth whitening. To schedule an appointment at Alta Loma Dental Care in Alta Loma, CA, call (909) 987-6268 or visit our website, www.altalomadentalcare.com. 

How to Avoid Staining Teeth

Bold and bright teeth are a large part of self-confidence. Whitening teeth has become very popular, but there are steps you can take to avoid staining. Alta Loma Dental Care of Alta Loma, CA wants our patients to know how to avoid staining teeth and how to keep those pearly whites bright!

An important step in avoiding stains is knowing how they happen. There are surface stains and there are stains that penetrate the surface and reach the dentin. The dentin is the main bulk of the tooth, located in the center of the tooth. When surface stains reach the dentin, it discolors the whole tooth.

To avoid keeping surface stains trapped on your teeth, brushing is the most important thing you can do. Plaque is a sticky film that can trap food and drink particles close to your enamel. Brushing two to three times per day will ensure that any stain-causing debris will not be around for long. Flossing daily is also important for removing stain-holding plaque.

Rinsing your mouth after consuming dark foods and liquids will help keep them from clinging to your teeth. Foods like blueberries, soy sauce, and tomato sauce are common stain-causers. Drinks like cola, coffee, and red wine are also stain-causers. Another good way to avoid stains from dark drinks is to drink them through a straw to limit contact.

Along with these tips, our customized teeth whitening trays can give your teeth a kick start to a brighter smile. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Alta Loma Dental Care of Alta Loma, CA or visit our website, www.altalomadentalcare.com. 

Dr. Michael Kim Brightens Smiles in Alta Loma, CA with Professional Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is an excellent way to gain a boost of confidence, make a great impression every day, and feel great about smiling overall. Many of our Alta Loma Dental Care patients have been thrilled with the results of our teeth whitening and bleaching services.

One of the benefits of the teeth whitening and bleaching service we provide is its convenience. Through the use of custom trays and a specialized, prescription whitening gel, you can whiten your teeth at home, when it’s most convenient for you.  By repeating the at-home teeth whitening process several times, you should already begin to see some improvement.  Once the full process is complete, you can expect a smile brightening improvement of up to eight shades.

If you’re ready to brighten your smile with our custom teeth whitening and bleaching system, contact us here at Alta Loma Dental Care!  

Get your Smile Ready at Alta Loma Dental Care

Valentine’s Day will be here soon, so it’s time to look your best. Nothing enhances your looks more dramatically than an attractive smile, which is where we come in. At Alta Loma Dental Care, we can get you a bright, white smile in no time with the ZOOM! teeth whitening system.

The ZOOM! system is a chair-side whitening procedure that is done in our office and combines a safe whitening gel with low-intensity light. The light activates the hydrogen peroxide in the gel, which can lighten your teeth up to 10 shades in only an hour! Unlike other whitening systems that involve multiple sessions and take-home trays, ZOOM! produces results that are both drastic and quick, which makes whitening your teeth an easy way to improve your smile during for the upcoming holiday.    

For the best results, patients should have their teeth cleaned prior to the whitening procedure since tartar and plaque can prevent the whitening gel from working in certain areas. By having your teeth cleaned, you are ensuing that you get an even, white smile.

Dr. Michael Kim can ensure that your pearly whites are as white as can be come the fourteenth. Schedule an appointment in Alta Loma, CA by calling (909) 987-6268. For more information, please visit www.altalomadentalcare.com.  

Teeth Whitening in Alta Loma, CA

Even with diligent brushing, flossing and cleaning, keeping your teeth white is harder than you might think. Despite proper oral care, constant exposure to the acid in food and drinks can cause your teeth to become dull and darken over time. Teeth whitening can help restore the color and gleam to your teeth, and at our office in Alta Loma, CA, we provide teeth whitening services that can restore your smile to a bright white state.

Teeth whitening services are becoming more and more popular, and as the demand for whiter teeth increases, patients are realizing that over-the-counter techniques just aren’t as effective as options offered by their dentist. At our office, whitening procedures are becoming one of the most requested services, and Dr. Michael Kim offers an effective way for his patients to meet their goals. The method that we use to whiten patients’ teeth is the take-home tray system. Using gentle, whitening gel applied in trays that are custom made to fit their teeth, patients can whiten their smile four to eight shades in only a couple sessions.

Whitening your teeth is an easy and dramatic way to improve the look of your smile. If you are looking to make your pearly whites white again, schedule an appointment with Alta Loma Dental Care by calling (909) 987-6268. For more information, visit www.altalomadentalcare.com.

Tray Teeth Whitening... Is it Right for You?

Even with consistent brushing and good oral care, teeth can lose their color. Today, you have many options when it comes to teeth whitening that include over-the-counter options, prescription methods and in-office procedures. At Alta Loma Dental Care, we offer custom tray whitening for our patients. Having teeth professionally whitened is an excellent way to restore the natural color of teeth quickly and effectively.

 

Unlike ineffective, over the counter whitening strips that are messy and tend to slide off teeth, professional custom tray whitening whitens teeth 4-8 shades in just a couple days. The tray whitening system can reverse the effects of discoloration. Dr. Kim will need to inspect your teeth in order to determine if you are eligible for teeth whitening. Intrinsic stains are on the surface, having barely penetrated the enamel. They are caused by coffee, smoking and aging. These stains are reversible through take-home tray whitening. Extrinsic stains develop from the inside of the teeth and are often caused by different antibiotics. The teeth are darkened as a result of bacteria buildup and cannot be reversed by whitening alone.
 

Traditional tray systems include a custom-fitted mouth guard that the patient wears for a period of 40-45 minutes for a few days. Dr. Kim will take a mold of your mouth in order to create a custom-fit mouth guard. The amount of days the mouth guard is worn depends on how white you want your teeth to be. This often results in a whiter smile of 4-8 shades in just a few days.

If you are interested in whitening your teeth, especially now that it’s prom and wedding season, give us a call at 909-296-7920 to schedule an appointment! 

Utilize Our Tray Teeth Whitening For a Celebrity Smile

Everyone wants to have pearly whites, and by visiting Alta Loma Dental Care in Alta Loma, CA, you have the opportunity to get them. Because your teeth can become stained or discolored from many factors, such as smoking cigarettes, drinking tea, coffee or wine, or eating high amounts of sugar, your smile might not be at its whitest and brightest. While brushing daily is essential for good oral health, it doesn’t always help correct the discoloration or staining problem. Fortunately, teeth whitening in our office can give you teeth up to eight shades whiter.

 

We use the tray whitening system, which is a simple way to whiten your teeth. We even give our patients custom trays to bring home for future use. The trays are different from store-bought whitening systems, because they are custom made based on impressions of the patient’s teeth. Once the trays are ready, we apply a whitening gel to them, then place them firmly over the patient’s teeth. They stay on for several minutes, and the process is repeated over a couple days.

 

The end result is much whiter teeth and reusable trays the patient can use for touch-ups. Teeth whitening in Alta Loma, CA has never been easier than using our trays.

Call dentist Dr. Michael Kim (909) 296-7920 to find out more about this teeth whitening option.