Smiles for Life!

Professionally Whiten Your Teeth and Help a Child!

Smiles For Life is an organization set up through members of the Crown Council, a prestigious alliance of leading-edge dentists around the world who are strongly committed to excellence in their fields, to continuing education, to serving their communities through charitable work, and to focusing on treating patients, not teeth. This year, from March through June, hundreds of dental practices throughout the U.S. and Canada are professionally whitening teeth to raise money for seriously ill, disabled, and underprivileged children in their local communities and around the world.

Basically, The Smiles For Life Foundation is the children’s charity arm of the Crown Council. Philips Oral Healthcare (makers of ZOOM! teeth bleaching and BriteSmile trays) DONATES ALL of the tooth whitening supplies, and participating Crown Council dentists DONATE ALL of their time. Together, they offer professional teeth bleaching services at substantially reduced prices (donations) with 100% OF THE PROCEEDS GOING TO A CHILDREN’S CHARITY.

After your appointment, you will make your payment for your teeth bleaching procedure to the Smiles For Life Foundation. 50% of that payment will be given to a local children’s charity, if applicable, selected by your dentist. The remainder is given to an children’s charity approved by the Smiles For Life Foundation. It is as simple as that. Whiten your teeth, help a child.

Welcome to the Siouxland Dental Health Blog

Cosmetic Dentistry – Tooth Whitening/Bleaching

Tooth whitening (or bleaching) is a simple, non-invasive dental treatment used to change the color of natural tooth enamel and is an ideal way to enhance the beauty of your smile.

Because having whiter teeth has now become the number one aesthetic concern of most patients, there are a number of ways to whiten teeth. The most popular method is using a home tooth whitening system that will whiten teeth dramatically. Since tooth whitening only works on natural tooth enamel, it is important to evaluate replacement of any old fillings, crowns, etc. Replacement of any restorations will be done after bleaching so they will match the newly bleached teeth.

Tooth whitening is not permanent. A touch-up maybe needed every several years, and more often if you smoke, drink coffee, tea, or wine.

Reasons for tooth whitening:

• Fluorosis (excessive fluoridation during tooth development).
• Normal wear of outer tooth layer.
• Stained teeth due to medications (tetracycline, etc.).
• Yellow, brown stained teeth.

What does tooth whitening involve?

This type of tooth whitening usually requires two visits. At the first appointment, impressions (molds) will be made of your teeth to fabricate custom, clear plastic, trays.

At your second appointment, you will try on the trays for proper fit, and adjustments will be made if necessary. The trays are worn with special whitening solution either twice a day for 30 minutes or overnight for a couple of weeks depending on the degree of staining and desired level of whitening. It is normal to experience tooth sensitivity during the time you are whitening your teeth, but it will subside shortly after you have stopped bleaching.

You will receive care instructions for your teeth and trays, and be encouraged to visit your dentist regularly to help maintain a beautiful, healthy, white smile.