Bummed Out About Home Bleaching Agents

Dr. Jay Jorgensen D.D.S.

Home Tooth whitening products are available for use to remove external stains from teeth by abrasion or  bleaching. Their safety and effectiveness can come into question. Kits that contain abrasive agents can give you a white smile initially by removing surface stains, but they can be harmful over the long run because they accelerate the natural aging process.These kit may cause the enamel of teeth to be worn away to reveal the yellow dentin behind it. Such kits can also cause recessions on gums (meaning the roots will be exposed) and consequently cause tooth abfraction on the roots of teeth concurrent with sensitivity to cold and air.


It is of utmost importance to have the abfraction checked by our office, so the sensitivity be stopped. There is various treatment that can help further breakdown and abfraction of the roots, including dental bonding or  dental veneers.


IF YOU DO HAVE ANY EXISTING SENSITIVITY, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU NOT DO ANY TEETH WHITENING OR BLEACHING OF TEETH until all the necessary treatment for the sensitivity is rendered.


Teeth bleaching or tooth whitening products are usually carbomide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide derivatives with different concentration. You should be screened for your gums, root sensitivity, any micro cracks, micro leakage possibly from your fillings , or abfractions by our office before you put whitening and bleaching products in your mouth.


In closing, I highly advise you to have a full check up and consultation with our office before you do any kind of teeth whitening to avoid further damage to your precious teeth and smile.


760-323-2771

The Effects Of Aging On Teeth And Gums

Dr. Jay Jorgensen D.D.S.

As the average lifespan of our nation’s population is increasing, so too is the need for maintaining proper oral health care.  The goal, of course, is to retain our teeth for all of these extended years.  Though aging can have some negative effects on our teeth, I am encouraged to report that many of my elderly clientele are even more diligent and knowledgeable in the area of oral hygiene than some of their younger cohorts.  While dentures are still available, their prevalence in the dental office is significantly reduced from years in the past. 

It is important for the aging population to pay attention to certain scenarios that may present in the oral environment with age.  The saying, “He’s a bit long in the tooth,” originates from the fact that gum recession over time tends to expose more and more of the root surfaces of one’s teeth.  Often associated with this root exposure is increased sensitivity to cold and hot liquids and air brought in through the mouth.  A simple solution to this problem is to have us bond a desensitizing agent to the tooth or to place a filling on the exposed surface.  These treatments are incredibly effective at eliminating tooth sensitivity both painlessly and immediately.  Patients are thus free to enjoy ice cream, coffee and cold beverages that same day.

Exposed roots are also more predisposed to cavities, or “root caries” as we call them.  This is because the tooth structure below the gum line consists of a softer mineral than the more resistant enamel on the outer portion of a tooth.  Routine cleanings and check-ups, sometimes with even greater regularity than the typical six-month recall, can serve to head off at the pass any cavities that may otherwise run amuck. 

Decreased salivary flow can result with age as well.  Our saliva contains a buffer against the acids that result when foods breakdown in our mouths.  The absence of this saliva leaves our teeth more susceptible to tooth decay.   Certain medications can interfere with normal salivary production as well.   We may elect to counteract this decreased salivary flow with other medications.  The best defense against the harmful effects of low salivary flow is the same as that for most age-related dental challenges: immaculate oral hygiene and regular visits to our office!

760-323-2771

When Should My Child First See The Dentist?

Dr Jay Jorgensen D.D.S.

Parents frequently ask me when their young child should first see the dentist. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that children be seen shortly after their first tooth erupts and no later than their first birthday. As any parent knows, many babies and toddlers are not ready to cooperate with a full dental exam at this young age. 


Our dental office may perform visual exams on children who are very young while the child sits comfortably in the parent’s lap. In the first couple years, the mouth is so small and the teeth are so few that a quick visual exam may be able to tell us what we need to know without having to perform a full exam with tools. At this age, we find it most helpful to have a discussion with the parents on proper dental care for young teeth and how to avoid any major problems, like baby bottle tooth decay.

In our office we try to keep these first few dental appointments calm and fun so that the child can associate the dentist with a positive experience. We don’t force young children to cooperate in ways that make them fearful because dentistry is often associated with anxiety anyway. I have treated many adult patients who still have dental anxiety due to unpleasant childhood experiences at the dentist. As a team, parents and our office can work together to make going to the dentist an enjoyable and fear free experience for their children.

760-323-2771

Pregnant Moms & Dental Health

A few of our patients are new mom's to be. When a woman is pregnant, there are a lot of obvious hormonal changes. Dentally this can manifest as bleeding gums. The best preventative there is closer attention to good oral hygiene and a good diet.

Sometimes ladies develop a red purple bump or swelling on the gums called a pregnancy tumor (which sounds scary, but is benign).

It is best to avoid x-rays or medications especially during the first trimester, so we may delay any treatment or routine diagnostic x-rays a few months. Hopefully the patient has good oral health so that little problems will not turn into bigger ones because of treatment delay. There are many other good sites with information for expectant moms. In fact, here is one from the: ADA. Things are not always so easily planned but, if you are thinking about starting a family, make sure your dental treatment needs are in good order beforehand.

Oh, and don't forget to schedule your baby for their first dental visit by age one!

760-323-2771