Yellow teeth can be owed to surface stain and/or natural tooth color. Surface stain is caused by food and drinks we consume everyday, such as chocolate, sodas and coffee. Because our teeth are porous, the dyes of these foods and drinks stick to our teeth and are removed by whitening toothpastes, whitening strips and other whitening products. When the surface stain is removed, the natural color of our teeth is left over. Many people seek teeth bleaching treatments to make their smile brighter and whiter.

In-House or At-Home Tooth Bleaching

Often, your cosmetic dentist will bleach your teeth at his or her dental office. Teeth whitening involves the use of a hydrogen peroxide gel concentration that is carefully measured out for each patient, and may be coupled with a laser light that can gently speed the process to allow for shorter teeth bleaching sessions while still gaining the white teeth you desire.

Your cosmetic dentist covers your gums and lips before bleaching your teeth. From there, he or she will likely apply the gel to your teeth several times during your session for fifteen minutes at a time, giving you a brighter smile that is up to eight shades whiter than before.

It is also possible to administer the teeth bleaching gel from the comfort of your home, either as a continuation of your bleaching sessions at a dental office or you can opt to bleach your own teeth using bleaching trays given to you by your dentist. Similar to in-office bleaching, your dentist will give you a prescribed concentration of hydrogen peroxide gel to apply to the inside of your customized tooth trays. At-home bleaching trays may take up to two weeks to achieve your desired shade, while in-office treatments can take as little as one hour.

If you are uncomfortable or self-conscious about the discoloration of your teeth, contact Drs. Ken and Marnie Collins today to schedule a consultation to find out if Zoom teeth whitening is right for you.

According to a recent perception study conducted by Kelton for Invisalign, teeth and smiles are one of the most important features that stand out to those who are meeting new people. Kelton has explored the assumptions that people gain from first impressions and has proven that people tend to regard good teeth alignment as signs of success, intelligence, popularity and good general health.

Successful Jobs and Dates Affected by Teeth

The perception study conducted by Kelton Research has delved into the social stigmas of society and how crooked teeth can adversely affect a person’s social life. Researchers have found that straight teeth are more likely to be regarded as a sign of success either currently or in the future, and have been known to leave a better lasting impression. The perception study also showed that those with straighter teeth or a brighter smile were 57 percent more likely to win a date on a dating site by their picture alone than those with crooked or jagged teeth. It has been shown that those with straighter teeth are more likely to be seen as trustworthy and having a great personality than those without.

Unfortunately, many people commonly make quick decisions about a person based on his or her personal appearances rather than who they are as a person. If you are self-conscious or uncomfortable with your gapped, crooked or jagged teeth and wish to seek cosmetic dental options, such as Invisalign, standard metal braces, or porcelain veneers, contact Drs. Ken and Marnie Collins to schedule a consultation.

During a steak dinner with her husband, Vickie was chewing when her jaw suddenly locked, which made her unable to open her mouth. This caused the piece of food to become lodged in her throat which made normal breathing almost impossible. Thanks to the swift action and quick thinking of her husband, the piece of food was finally dislodged and Vickie was able to breathe again.

TMJ sufferers and possible sufferers should take this story to heart. Without proper TMJ treatment, TMD is not only painful, it can be deadly in rare circumstances. This story and many others further prove the true importance of undergoing TMJ treatment not only to relieve the constant pain associated with it, but to ensure your life isn’t at risk.

To learn more about TMJ, symptoms, and how treatment is truly life-changing, contact Dr. Ken and Marnie Collins’ dental office today to schedule an appointment.

A healthy smile often indicates a healthy body. Someone with a less-than-ideal smile due to oral or dental health problems may also suffer from general health issues as well. Since our teeth hold plenty of value and portray a lot of meaning, comprehensive dentistry is a crucial part of keeping our smiles, mouths, and bodies healthy and functioning properly. A complete dental routine should consist of more than at-home brushing and the occasional flossing. Working with a dentist who offers comprehensive dentistry is a great way to know that your mouth and teeth are healthy, which helps to increase your internal health.

Well-Rounded Dentistry for Overall Well-Being

A comprehensive dentist is one who offers a variety of dental treatments and who has plenty of experience fixing some of the most complex dental problems. A dentist that merely offers cavity fillings and cleanings may not be ideal if you are looking for optimal dental treatment. The good news is that Drs. Ken & Marnie Collins offer many different treatments for improving your dental and oral health; which, in turn, can help improve your general health. From TMJ treatment to treating gum disease, Drs. Ken & Marnie Collins can help you!

Though you may not immediately think of it, a healthy smile can change your life. If you’re ready for a healthy smile that advertises a healthy body; look no further than Drs. Ken & Marnie Collins. Both dentists know the true importance of comprehensive dentistry and how it can change your life for the better. Call or email our office today to get started.

Patients who clench or grind their teeth at night should seek treatment immediately; as these behaviors can negatively impact the health of the teeth as well as the jaw. Clenching and grinding, which creates an increased amount of pressure and tension in the jaw, can lead to TMJ disorder when left untreated. Patients should note that treating these behaviors is quite simple – usually a mouth guard is all that is required to protect the teeth and the jaw.

In the case of grinding and clenching the teeth, a proven treatment that is prescribed early on can lead to prevention and early diagnosis of TMJ disorder. Early diagnosis and treatment of the underlying causes is an effective way to protect your overall oral health from a condition that is known to cause painful symptoms throughout the body.

Diagnosing TMJ Early

While TMJ is most definitely a treatable and preventable condition; true prevention can only be done when a diagnosis is made quickly. Patients who experience any symptoms known to be associated with TMJ should seek dental assistance; just as the neuromuscular dentist should be aware of these symptoms and should suggest immediate treatment. Problems such as neck pain, jaw pain, facial pain and headaches have all been linked to TMJ and should be examined ASAP. To learn more about TMJ, the symptoms and treatment methods, call or email Dr. Ken & Marnie Collins’ office today!

Soda covers a wide span of drinks; from Coke to Sprite, Pepsi, 7-UP and so on, there is an endless amount of sweet carbonated beverages on today’s shelves. That said, not all of these products are created equally.

 It was determined that, despite being a soda, root beer rarely contains the harmful acids found in most sodas, which lessens its impact on teeth.

Commonly, we think of sodas as being sweet and fizzy, but rarely does acid come to mind; however, it has been shown that certain brands of cola have acid rankings of 2.39. Compare that number to the average acidity of a battery: 1.0. With a drink more than twice as acidic as a battery, it’s no surprise that soda can cause damage to our teeth.

While a healthy diet is part of having a healthy mouth, routine visits to the dentist are also an important part of the equation. Be sure to schedule check-ups with your dentist throughout the year to ensure that your teeth are in tip-top shape. To schedule appointments with Drs. Ken & Marnie Collins, patients can simply call or email us today.

Protecting your teeth from erosion

A study published on October 7 in the British Dental Journal found that products that have xylitol as an ingredient also commonly have other ingredients, such as preservatives and acidic flavorings, that can be harmful to the teeth. Preservatives and acidic flavorings may contribute to dental erosion. These ingredients are often used in fruit-flavored gums and candies, and can make such products more harmful than beneficial, even though xylitol is present.

Both preservatives and acidic flavorings are highly acidic, and when acid comes into contact with the teeth for a long period of time on a continuous basis, it can cause tooth decay, which can result in complete tooth loss. Consumers don’t necessarily have to completely stop eating or chewing candy or gum; but limiting consumption may be a good idea. That said, with proper dental hygiene, such as brushing and flossing, your teeth should remain healthy as long as you don’t over-indulge.

Of course, another important part of keeping a healthy mouth and smile is scheduling routine visits to your dentist. No ingredient or food is able to take proper care of your teeth, which means scheduled visits to the dentist are a must-have. Contact Dr. Ken and Marnie Collins’ dental office today to schedule an appointment to help you maintain your smile and health.

With these numbers in mind, it’s clear that Americans hold flawless smiles in high value. But thousands of smiles away in Japan, the general population is at the entirely other end of the spectrum; in fact, the newest fad to hit the country involves dental procedures that disarrange the teeth to make them appear less perfect.

Known as “yaeba,” the procedure makes the teeth appear to be misaligned and disarranged. In the Japanese culture, tooth-overcrowding is attractive to men. When a woman undergoes yaeba, none of her natural teeth are harmed in any way. Instead, dentists put a plastic front on the patient’s real teeth to create a flawed smile. To many in Japanese society, a perfect smile makes a woman come off as unapproachable, while a disarranged smile does just the opposite.

While we all strive for perfection, in some cultures perfection obviously is not ideal. Though this fad has become the new “to-do” in Japan, it’s not likely to become popular in the United States, where Americans tend to prefer flashing an eye-catching and aesthetic smile not only to appear more attractive to others, but to improve self-esteem.

If you’re looking to restore or revamp your smile, be sure to contact Drs. Ken & Marnie Collins’ office to schedule an appointment to learn more about the cosmetic dentistry procedures that we offer. Celebrate and enjoy your smile today by calling or emailing us to set up a consultation.

Procrastinating on fixing a simple dental problem or even procrastinating on attending routine check-ups only leads to more serious conditions. Though not a very widely heard of or talked about problem, jaw bone loss is a issue for many Americans. Often caused as a result of seemingly minor dental problems, this problem is easily avoidable, when people seek treatment in a timely manner.

The three most common causes of jaw bone loss include teeth grinding, gum disease, and improper extraction of a tooth or teeth. But, with routine visits to your dentist, these problems can be caught before they lead to more serious trouble.

While jaw bone loss isn’t a complication that most patients are aware of; it can be very detrimental, even to everyday life. Jaw bone loss, when left undetected and untreated, can make talking, smiling, chewing, and even eating very uncomfortable. Would you want to go through life suffering from a problem that is treatable, let alone entirely avoidable with routine appointments with a quality Spokane dentist?

Preventing jaw bone loss should be tackled on two fronts: by the patient and by the dentist. Patients should practice routine dental hygiene, including flossing and brushing, to keep the mouth as clean and healthy as possible. At the same time, dentists should be well aware of the symptoms of jaw bone loss, and – if symptoms are present – the diagnosis should be given to the patient directly, in a straight-forward manner.

Sugar-coating a diagnosis as serious as jaw bone loss can make the situation worse. Patients should be well aware of the state of their oral health, and dentists should never avoid telling their patients exactly what is wrong.

Ensure that your oral and dental health are at optimal levels by scheduling routine visits to Drs. Ken and Marnie Collins today. We are available by phone and email to take your appointment requests. Get started today for a lifetime of healthy teeth, gums, and jaw!

When inspecting your mouth, have you ever observed something that appears to be a bony growth located at the jaw line or on your gums? While they may look scary or even gross; these growths, known as tori or “exostoses” can occur in any patient.

What Are Exostoses?

Exostoses are symptomatic boney outgrowths that grow when there is an excessive amount of stress and tension placed on the teeth’s underlying structures. Tori are widely seen in patients who clench their teeth – which is known to cause higher levels of stress – but the condition has also been found in patients who do not suffer from TMJ symptoms.

A very common cause of exostoses is a bad bite, also known as malocclusion. Malocclusion occurs when the teeth do not align properly. When the teeth are not aligned, the jaw joint experiences higher levels of stress and tension as the jaw joint is put into a torque position that then encourage the growth of tori. At the same time, malocclusion can also cause pain and discomfort.

Whether the excess strain and tension placed on the teeth and jaw joints is caused by teeth clenching, malocclusion, or some other underlying problem, the body’s natural defense is to produce extra bone material to support the teeth. When these bone materials grow, they often become very visible.

Getting Rid of Tori

Generally, the treatment of Tori involves removing the boney growths from the mouth through surgery. While surgery is successful for some; for other patients, tori may return if the underlying cause of the problem isn’t corrected with surgical extraction. For the treatment of tori to be permanent, it’s important that the root cause of the problem be diagnosed and treated accordingly. Tori will only go away when the cause of the excess pressure and tension is gone.

If you suffer from exostoses, call Drs. Ken & Marnie Collins’ office today to determine the treatment method that is right for you. Drs. Ken & Marnie Collins will properly examine you to decide which treatment method is most suitable for you. To get started, simply call or email our office today.