Can You Still Have Your Teeth Whitened If They’re Sensitive?

A bright, white smile is often considered a sign of good oral health and can boost confidence. However, if you have sensitive teeth, you may be wondering if it’s still possible to have your teeth whitened. We’re happy to share that even if you have sensitive teeth, you can achieve a whiter smile with teeth whitening!

Understanding Tooth Sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity usually occurs when the protective layer of enamel on your teeth is worn down, exposing the underlying dentin. This lack of protection can lead to discomfort or pain when exposed to certain triggers like hot or cold temperatures, sweet or acidic foods, and even teeth whitening products.

Consultation with a Dentist

Before embarking on any teeth whitening journey, it’s crucial to consult with a dentist like Dr. Kengskool. At your dental visit, a thorough exam of your teeth can be completed to identify the cause of your tooth sensitivity. If there are underlying dental issues like cavities or excessive enamel wear, they can be addressed before teeth whitening.

Teeth Whitening Treatment

While there are many types of teeth whitening options available, professional teeth whitening performed by a dentist is generally the safest option for individuals with sensitive teeth. By visiting a dental office for teeth whitening, you can enjoy quick, stunning results with minimal risk for tooth sensitivity.

Alternative Whitening Methods

If traditional teeth whitening methods are not suitable for your sensitive teeth, there are alternative options to explore. For example, whitening toothpaste, although not as effective as professional treatments, can help remove surface stains. Another option is dental veneers, which can permanently improve the appearance of your teeth without exposing them to bleaching agents.

Achieve a Brighter Smile in Frisco, TX

By consulting with our dentist in Frisco, TX, we can help you address any underlying dental issues and explore the best whitening treatment for your smile. Contact Serenity Dental Studio today to learn how you can achieve a brighter smile!

June 30, 2023

Does Charcoal Toothpaste Help Make Your Teeth Whiter?

Charcoal toothpaste has gained popularity in recent years as a seemingly natural way to whiten teeth. Charcoal is highly absorbent. Charcoal toothpaste contains activated charcoal, a form of carbon that has been treated with oxygen to make it more porous. The idea behind using activated charcoal in toothpaste is that it can bind to toxins and stains on the teeth, removing them and leaving the teeth looking whiter.

Drawbacks of Charcoal Toothpaste

It is important to note that charcoal toothpaste is only able to remove surface stains. That means if you have intrinsic yellowing and severe tooth stains, brushing with charcoal toothpaste won’t make much of a difference.

Charcoal toothpaste is abrasive. While mild abrasives may be beneficial in removing tartar and mild stains from teeth, they could lead to enamel erosion and tooth sensitivity if used excessively.

Many charcoal toothpaste options do not contain fluoride. Fluoride is a beneficial mineral added to traditional toothpaste that helps prevent tooth decay by fortifying the crystalline mineral structure of your tooth enamel.

Cosmetic Dentistry in Frisco, TX

While trying out a new trend like charcoal toothpaste may not be detrimental to your oral health when used in moderation, it may not provide you the cosmetic and oral health results you wish for. Instead, professional dental services like cosmetic dentistry treatments and routine cleanings can safely and effectively help you achieve a bright and healthy smile.

At Serenity Dental Studio, we offer comprehensive dental services, including preventive cleanings, sealants, fluoride treatments, professional teeth whitening, veneers, crowns, bridges, and more! Contact us today to schedule a consultation to learn how we can help you improve your at-home oral hygiene routine and the health and appearance of your smile.

Image from Authority Dental under CC 2.0

April 25, 2023

What Is the Ideal Age to Begin Invisalign Treatment?

Many people associate wearing braces with being a teenager. However, there’s no rule saying only middle schoolers or high schoolers can get orthodontic treatment! This includes Invisalign clear aligner therapy too. Both young adults and older adults can benefit from this discreet orthodontic treatment.

The Ease of Orthodontic Movement

The density and developmental stage of a younger patient’s jawbone makes it easier to move teeth into straighter positions. While it’s definitely not impossible to straighten your teeth if you aren’t a teenager or young adult, it may take longer as an adult.

Sticking to the Treatment Plan

Braces are temporarily bonded to the teeth during the entirety of treatment. In contrast, Invisalign aligners have to be taken out for eating, drinking anything other than water, and for brushing and flossing your teeth. It can be tempting to leave the trays out for a longer time period than these activities take. But they must be worn for 20-22 hours a day to keep your treatment moving along. Patients, whether they are a teenager, young adult, or older adult, must be responsible enough to be compliant with their treatment plan. They cannot regularly forget to put their trays back in, or simply choose not to out of convenience. Not wearing your aligners can prolong and even derail your progress.

Convenience for Adults

Adults may want straighter teeth but don’t want the noticeable appearance of metal brackets and wires, especially if they want to maintain a professional appearance for work. While traditional braces are not inherently unprofessional-looking, they can make adults feel more self-conscious. Invisalign is the ideal orthodontic treatment for adults of any age and in any stage of life because of how inconspicuous and convenient it is.

Invisalign in Frisco, TX

If you’re wondering whether Invisalign is right for you, we invite you to come into Serenity Dental Studio for an orthodontic consultation. We can give you our professional recommendation about whether or not you’re a good candidate for Invisalign. Please contact us today!

March 28, 2023

Common Misconceptions About Veneers

Dental veneers are a permanent way to dramatically enhance the appearance of your smile. This versatile treatment is the secret to many celebrities’ megawatt smiles. However, there are several common misconceptions about veneers. For example, some patients mistakenly think that veneers are:

1. Big or Cartoonish

If you go to a qualified dentist, like Serenity Dental Studio, you will not get ill-fitting dental veneers that look unnatural or bulky. The custom porcelain veneers that we create for our patients look beautifully realistic.

2. Only for Front Teeth

Dental veneers can be applied to all teeth, even teeth in the back! A veneer on a single tooth or veneers on a few teeth can make your smile more uniform. Depending on your needs, having veneers on many teeth may truly transform your smile.

3. Expensive

At Serenity Dental Studio, we accept a variety of payment options to make veneers affordable!

4. Hard to Maintain

Once you get dental veneers, you should treat them as you would your normal teeth! Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time, floss every day, consume a balanced diet, drink plenty of water, visit us for routine checkups and cleanings, and avoid tobacco products. Veneers that are well taken care of can last upwards of 20 years!

5. Time-Consuming & Painful to Receive

The dental veneer process is actually a fairly fast and painless procedure. You’ll need a consultation to make sure you are ready to commit to this permanent cosmetic treatment. Your dentist will prepare your teeth by removing a small amount of enamel and take impressions to design the perfect set of veneers for your smile. Once your veneers are ready, your dentist will bond them to your teeth, which requires minimal anesthetic.

Dental Veneers in Frisco, TX

Consider dental veneers if you are interested in enjoying a beautiful, even, and bright smile. Our team would be happy to answer any additional questions you may have about this cosmetic treatment. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation!

April 30, 2022

How To Keep Your Teeth Bright After Professional Whitening

Serenity Dental Studio offers two kinds of professional whitening: at-home custom bleaching trays and in-office whitening. With both, you can expect results much better than anything you’d buy over-the-counter. Teeth whitening isn’t permanent, however, so how do you keep your teeth bright as long as possible? Here are some tips:

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene

To reduce staining, maintain good brushing and flossing habits. Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Remember to brush your tongue! Floss once a day. And keep up with regular professional cleanings twice a year.

Don’t Smoke or Use Tobacco

The pores in your teeth absorb the tar and nicotine from tobacco. Nicotine by itself doesn’t have a color, but when combined with oxygen, it gives your teeth a yellow shade. Avoid all tobacco use for both the health and appearance of your teeth.

Limit Dark-Pigmented Beverages

Dark-colored beverages like coffee, wine, hot chocolate, and black tea can stain your teeth. If you do drink them, rinse thoroughly with water right after. You can also drink with a straw to reduce a beverage’s contact with your front teeth.

Limit Acidic Foods & Drinks

When you eat acidic food, your tooth enamel softens. This makes your teeth more porous and more likely to stain. Certain acidic foods, like whole citrus, contain healthful nutrients so shouldn’t be eliminated from your diet. However, be sure to rinse your mouth with water when enjoying citrus and avoid acidic fruit juice whenever possible.

Professional Teeth Whitening in Frisco, TX

How long the effects of your professional teeth whitening last will depend on many factors. To maximize the longevity of your brighter smile, you should: take good care of your teeth, avoid tobacco, and watch what you eat and drink. If you’re interested in professional whitening or any of our other services with Dr. Kengskool, please contact us today!

February 28, 2022

Your Smile Makeover Options for 2022

Are you ready to achieve your dream smile in 2022? There are a wide variety of cosmetic dental treatments that can turn back the clock on your smile and give you a more youthful-looking appearance! From tooth replacement to teeth whitening, there is a treatment for all of your esthetic dental concerns.

Brighten Your Smile with Professional Teeth Whitening

Take your smile from dull to dazzling with professional teeth whitening! Teeth whitening treatments are one of the fastest ways to enhance your smile and boost your self-confidence. Whitening treatments can be done at home with whitening trays or at your dentist’s office depending on your preference and availability.

Replace Missing Teeth with Dentures

You shouldn’t have to miss out on living your best life because you’re missing teeth! You deserve a complete, attractive, fully-functioning smile. Dentures are a great tooth replacement solution to fill in the gaps in your smile. They are designed to look just like natural teeth and gums so that most people won’t notice your teeth aren’t real!

Create a More Uniform Smile with Dental Veneers

Veneers are an extremely versatile cosmetic option. They are thin, porcelain shells that are attached to the front side of teeth. Veneers can alter the shape, color, length, and overall appearance of your teeth to help you reach your smile goals.

Straighten Your Teeth with Invisalign^® Clear Aligner Therapy

Putting off braces? We get it! Luckily, you don’t have to spend years in metal braces to achieve a straighter smile. Now, you can straighten your teeth with comfortable Invisalign^® clear aligners. They are worn 20-22 hours a day and switched out every one to two weeks for your next custom set in your personalized treatment plan. With clear aligner therapy, your teeth and aligners are simple to clean. And the smooth plastic is easy on your cheeks and lips.

Ready to Schedule Your Smile Makeover?

If you are unhappy with your smile, don’t settle! At Serenity Dental Studio, we are passionate about helping each o our patients achieve a smile they love. Please contact our office to schedule your cosmetic dentistry consultation.

December 30, 2021

Everything You Need to Know About Invisalign Clear Aligners

Are you dreaming of a straighter smile but you don’t want to get clunky metal braces? Invisalign clear aligner therapy is designed to help improve the look and function of your smile in a subtle, effective way. We’re proud to offer Invisalign clear aligner therapy as an orthodontic option for our patients at Serenity Dental Studio!

What Is Invisalign?

Invisalign uses clear, removable aligner trays that incrementally shift your teeth into proper alignment over time. After your initial consultation, we will create computer-generated aligners to help you achieve your unique smile goals. Every two weeks, you will receive a new set of aligners and check in with our team to ensure that your teeth are shifting as desired and on schedule.

How Does Invisalign Work?

Invisalign aligners slip discreetly over your teeth. You should wear your aligners for at least 20-22 hours a day, removing them only to eat and brush and floss your teeth. To keep them clean, you should brush your aligners every day with a soft toothbrush and dish soap, and regularly soak them in a denture cleaner, Invisalign crystals, or retainer cleaner. Due to the amount of upkeep and possibility of losing or damaging the aligners, we recommend Invisalign for responsible older teen and adult patients.

What Can Invisalign Correct?

Invisalign is great for fixing mild to moderate issues with alignment, spacing, and crowding. For more advanced orthodontic issues, it might be best to opt for traditional metal braces.

How Long Does Invisalign Treatment Take?

How long your treatment lasts depends on your individual situation and how closely you follow your care plan, but Invisalign treatments typically last between 6 and 24 months.

Is Invisalign Expensive?

Invisalign is an affordable treatment — and at Serenity Dental Studio, we make every effort to make your treatment even accessible with our in-house membership club and custom payment plans. We’ll work with you to figure out how best to make your treatment fit within your budget.

Affordable Invisalign Treatment in Frisco, TX

If you’re looking for a discreet and affordable way to straighten your smile, consider Invisalign clear aligner therapy! Dr. Kengskool is Invisalign certified and would love to care for your smile. Contact us to schedule a consultation today.

August 27, 2021

Welcome to Serenity Dental Studio!

Dr. Kengskool and our team are proud to provide high-quality oral healthcare to the Frisco community. We love working with both new and returning patients alike. Serenity Dental Studio was founded on the idea that dental care does not have to be cold and clinical. In fact, your dental experiences can be positive, relaxed, and even enjoyable!

Not sure what your smile needs? Our team would be happy to assess the current state of your teeth and gums and provide you with a personalized treatment plan that is customized based on your unique needs.

Restorative Dentistry

From tooth-colored fillings to dental extractions and implants, our team at Serenity Dental Studio will meet you where you are at in your oral health journey. We strive to recommend conservative treatment options that will effectively repair your smile without being more invasive or costly than necessary.

Cosmetic Smile Makeovers

Even if your teeth and gums are healthy, you may not love the way that your teeth look. Professional teeth whitening is a simple cosmetic treatment that can dramatically enhance your smile’s appearance. Our other cosmetic services, Invisalign^® and porcelain veneers, are more involved than teeth whitening, but they provide excellent results for patients who are looking to straighten their teeth or achieve a perfect smile!

Affordable Dental Care in Frisco, TX

Our office is insurance-friendly! Please contact our office for specific information about your coverage. We will take care of insurance claims on your behalf, and we always try to maximize dental benefits to minimize what our patients have to pay out-of-pocket. We also accept payment plans through CareCredit^®, which splits up healthcare costs into manageable monthly payments. If you’d rather not work with a third party, ask us about our in-house financing options!

If you have any questions about our team, our office, or the services we provide, please don’t hesitate to contact Serenity Dental Studio today. We’d be delighted to assist you!