Our teeth often turn yellow or gray as we age. The things we eat and drink continually such as colored sodas, coffee and red wine contribute to the staining. Most of us are aware that smoking is not only bad for your lungs; it is an enemy to beautiful teeth. If you are considering having your teeth whitened, you must first decide which method to use. At Elizabethtown Dental Associates, we enjoy discussing treatment options with our clients. To schedule a consultation to talk about teeth whitening or any other dental procedure, call 717-689-2055.

At-home Pennsylvania whitening treatments usually consist of trays filled with whitening solution. It takes 7-14 days to achieve 3-6 shades lighter. Brush-on teeth gels and whitening strips take up to 30 days to achieve barely noticeable results. Whitening toothpaste may lighten superficial stains but often provides no change in appearance of teeth.

Zoom whitening procedures performed by a Pennsylvania dental professional achieve dramatic results that last far longer than other treatments.

All of the whitening methods may cause tooth pain or sensitivity, but this usually goes away in a few days. If you’re a Pennsylvania resident who has dental crowns, porcelain veneers or bonding, it is important to talk to your dentist before choosing a whitening method.

-Dr. Ed White, DDS
http://www.ETownDental.com

We do smile makeovers!

The technical term for bad breath is halitosis. Many factors can cause or contribute to halitosis. One of these factors is the food you eat. Onions and garlic are both known for having a potent affect on your breath. Simply observing the foods you eat here in Elizabethtown can result in a change in your breath.

In most cases, bad breath originates in your mouth. Transient bad breath can be resolved through eating or brushing, and is a temporary condition usually associated with a dry mouth. Persistent bad breath can be a serious problem effecting as much as 25 percent of our Elizabethtown area residents. Persistent bad breath can be caused by dry mouth, and is made worse when food is not cleared away properly.

Brushing and flossing daily is a critical step in curing bad breath. Food particles can build up in your mouth and foster bacteria which can cause bad breath. This not only includes the food particles that may get stuck between your teeth, but also the food that collects around your gums or on your tongue. Brushing and flossing daily can help reduce the amount of food particles that stay in your mouth and cause bad breath. Regular visits to your sedation dentist Elizabethtown Dental Associates can also reduce or eliminate the progression of bad breath.

Other factors that can contribute to bad breath for Elizabethtown residents include dry mouth, tobacco use, and health concerns such as infections. Come visit Elizabethtown Dental Associates located in Elizabethtown; we’ll provide you with information about bad breath in a professional environment. Give us a call at 717-689-2055 to set up a cosmetic dental appointment. We can also offer a wide variety of cosmetic dental procedures, including teeth whitening, porcelain veneers and dental implants.

-Dr. Ed White

Here at Elizabethtown Dental Associates, we want your teeth to last a lifetime! Tooth enamel is one of the hardest parts of the body, but it is non-renewable so it is important not to not neglect or abuse our teeth. Daily teeth and gum care is the best way to protect tooth enamel.

Even though every Elizabethtown drug store carries hard bristle brushes, we recommend brushing with a soft brush after every meal to gently brush away acid. Scrub too hard, and you can erode enamel. It is ideal to brush immediately after eating, but brushing within 60 minutes of a meal has benefits. The quicker you remove food from your teeth, the better it is for your enamel.

Flossing regularly is also important to keep gums healthy. Whether the food is on tooth surfaces, or hidden in between, it is not doing your enamel any good.

Dr. Ed White recommends a family dentistry checkup and thorough cleaning every six months. Our skilled hygienists remove tartar, a substance that attracts plaque to the surface of the teeth and can weaken the teeth’s structures. Regular checkups prevent problems and save you money on expensive restorations down the road.

Remember: don’t use your teeth for opening packages! Keep scissors and bottle openers handy. At Elizabethtown Dental Associates, we see damaged teeth and dental work as a result of patients using their teeth as tools. Biting down on something too hard, like ice or hard candy can also damage enamel. If you have a cracked or damaged tooth, you may be a candidate for a root canal as a way to save the tooth.

Attention Elizabethtown athletes: be sure to use a mouthguard for team, contact, and recreational sports.

Teeth grinding is also a common dental threat. Be careful not to grind teeth, this can not only wear away enamel but also pave ways for cavities to get in. If you already have a cavity, we provide tooth colored dental fillings for a metal-free smile. If you grind your teeth while you are sleeping, make an appointment to be fitted for a night guard. Your enamel will thank you.

Lastly, remember: drink water. Coffee, sports drinks, soda, wine, and tea all contain a lot of acid or sugar, and in some cases both. Cut back, or at least use a straw. These drinks cause a lot of tooth decay for non-water drinkers in the Elizabethtown area.

We hope you find these Elizabethtown Dental Associates tips helpful. For more information on dental care, or to schedule an appointment, contact our Elizabethtown cosmetic dental office today at 717-689-2055!

Dr. Ed White
Elizabethtown Dental Associates
717-689-2055
http://www.ETownDental.com

1) We carefully explain the findings of the initial dental examination and thoroughly outline any recommended procedures. The consultation also includes a discussion about pain control including oral conscious sedation dentistry medications. This allows our Elizabethtown dentistry clients to make informed decisions about their oral health and necessary dental procedures.

2) Dr. Ed White practices gentle, pain-free dentistry. Elizabethtown cosmetic dentistry treatment will not begin until you are numb. Keep in mind, however, that every dentistry patient reacts to numbing agents and sedation medications differently.

Speak up quickly if you start to feel discomfort. We will pause treatment, administer additional analgesic and wait until it takes effect. At Elizabethtown Dental Associates, we never rush endodontics or cosmetic dental procedures.

We will do our best to make you comfortable, whether you are receiving dental veneers, undergoing crown-lengthening treatment, having your teeth whitened, or replacing your old silver fillings.

3) We provide many in-office amenities at Elizabethtown Dental Associates which help our dental patients focus on something pleasant during cosmetic dental treatment. Not every Elizabethtown area dental patient chooses sedation dentistry. Sometimes chemical-free diversions such as listening to your favorite music provide a diversion while letting you remain clear-headed.

At Elizabethtown Dental Associates, we understand dental anxiety and will help you overcome it. We are located at 100 Continental Dr in Elizabethtown, PA 17022.

To schedule a friendly consultation, call 717-689-2055 or visit http://www.ETownDental.com.

Many lucky Elizabethtown residents who have received smile makeovers at Elizabethtown Dental Associates believe their dazzling new smile brightens their whole face. Some local professionals have corrected tooth problems prior to beginning a search for new employment.

A beautiful smile is essential to a polished appearance. Elizabethtown cosmetic dentistry is not just for people in the public eye, it is for anyone who desires a youthful looking smile.

Elizabethtown teeth whitening is quicker and more popular than ever. Some of our Elizabethtown cosmetic dental clients invest in total teeth restoration because they have always been self-conscious about chips, gaps or crooked teeth.

Cosmetic dental treatment may consist of dental bonding, dental implants, dental bridges, clear braces, porcelain veneers, teeth whitening or a combination.

If you are unfamiliar with the latest materials and procedures, see smile makeover expert Dr. Ed White for a cosmetic dental consultation. Some transformations are completed in just one visit! And don’t forego a new smile because you are afraid of dental treatment. Nervous Elizabethtown cosmetic dental clients can wake up to a new smile with sedation dentistry.

It is never too late to get a movie-star smile!

Elizabethtown Dental Associates
100 Continental Dr
Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania 17022
717-689-2055

Hello, I am Dr. Ed White. Welcome to my Pennsylvania dental blog.

Because my chosen profession is cosmetic dentistry, I create total smile makeovers for my clients.

If you are not familiar with the latest dental advances, you might not realize what cosmetic dentistry can do for you. I have dedicated my professional life to creating perfect smiles. If you are not satisfied with your smile, or are embarrassed by the condition of your teeth, I hope you will call to schedule a free consultation. Our phone number is 717-689-2055.

The truth is: you don’t have to go through life with an unattractive smile.

When I talk to a valued Pennsylvania patient who trusted me with their smile makeover earlier in my career, it is gratifying to see that their teeth still look terrific.

Because the art and science of cosmetic dentistry procedures advance with the speed of technology, the smile makeovers I perform now are even quicker and easier. The materials for dental fillings, crowns, veneers, and dental implants are incredibly strong, translucent, and beautiful in every way.

There are few investments in life that bring daily appreciation like cosmetic dentistry.

To book a cosmetic dental consultation today, call 717-689-2055 or visit http://www.etowndental.com/about/. Elizabethtown Dental Associates is located at 100 Continental Dr in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania.

We offer the full spectrum of cosmetic dental procedures including porcelain veneers, teeth whitening, gum grafts, dental implants and clear braces. We also provide comprehensive family dentistry.

Make this year special with a beautiful new smile!

Before I answer that question, let me tell you a little bit about xylitol:

Xylitol is a natural sweetener that was first discovered in birch tree bark but is also found in many fruits and vegetables. Unlike most other sweeteners (natural or synthetic), xylitol is actually good for your teeth. Numerous clinical studies have demonstrated that xylitol prevents the growth of the bacteria that initiates decay. It also reduces plaque and strengthens tooth enamel.

Xylitol has other benefits, as well. Because it is low on the glycemic index, many of my Elizabethtown diabetic patients enjoy it as a healthy alternative to sugar. If my cosmetic dentistry patients complain about frequent dry mouth, I recommend Xylitol gum or mints to stimulate saliva production without promoting tooth decay.

Now, back to the golden question. Is xylitol gum just as effective as brushing your teeth and seeing your Elizabethtown family dentist regularly? Absolutely not! If you cannot brush your teeth after a meal, chewing xylitol gum for five or ten minutes is probably a good idea. However, you should still brush your teeth thoroughly (with a soft brush) after meals and get twice-yearly exams and deep cleanings at your Elizabethtown cosmetic dental clinic.

At Elizabethtown Dental Associates, our goal is to keep your smile healthy and beautiful for life by preventing dental problems before they start. If you postpone dental visits until you feel pain, you risk losing teeth and most certainly will require more extensive treatment than if the problem was caught earlier. Afraid of the dentist? We offer sedation dentistry to calm anxious patients. Is it time for a dental exam? Call us at 717-689-2055 to book an appointment. Our caring and professional staff is waiting to take care of all your dental needs.

If you have looked into Elizabethtown teeth whitening, you probably already know the basics. The one thing they have in common is that they use a solution containing peroxide to remove the stains that have settled in the natural microscopic cracks in your tooth enamel.

There are many DIY teeth bleaching products available in Elizabethtown and it seems like new ones appear every time you visit the toothpaste aisle at your local grocery or drug store.

These Elizabethtown tooth whitening strips and tooth whitening pens can sometimes whiten your teeth a few shades, but the peroxide concentration is much lower than the whitening solutions used in Elizabethtown cosmetic dental offices. It may not be strong enough for your tooth stains.

Tooth whitening offered at Elizabethtown mall kiosks is risky, also. Most of these teeth whitening businesses have no professional oversight and the employees have little dental training. (Except instruction on how to take advantage of customer naivety.)

Dr. Ed White recommends that you use extreme caution when considering a take-home Elizabethtown tooth whitener. If you have tooth decay, gum recession, dental crowns, or veneers, you should deal with these issues before you whiten your teeth.

The portion of your teeth below the gumline, if exposed, may respond differently to tooth whitener. Likewise, the peroxide solution does not noticeably whiten crowns and dental veneers. If you use a DIY tooth whitener on teeth with extensive porcelain restorations, you should probably hope it doesn’t whiten too much–you may end up with a two- or three-tone smile!

Even though Elizabethtown teeth whitening seems fairly straightforward, your teeth deserve a professional opinion. After all, we are talking about teeth here. You can’t fix an uneven teeth whitening result like you can a bad hair-coloring job.

Schedule a Elizabethtown tooth bleaching evaluation before you waste your money on more Crest White Strips. We can be reached at 717-689-2055.

For those of you in the Elizabethtown area who feel pain when you sip your morning coffee or who cringe each time you brush or floss, Elizabethtown Dental Associates is here for you.

Dr. Ed White has been treating this common problem since 1984.

The first line of defense against tooth sensitivity is proper oral hygiene. Incorrect brushing and over-brushing can result in receding gums, which leads to the exposure of microscopic tubules in the dentin. When these tubules are exposed, acidic, hot, cold, and sticky foods can then reach the nerve cells in the teeth causing discomfort.

Here in our Elizabethtown family dentistry practice, our knowledgeable staff can determine if your brushing style is contributing to your tooth sensitivity and get you on your way to proper oral care habits.

Dr. Ed White usually recommends an over-the-counter desensitizing toothpaste that will alleviate tooth pain after several applications. Most Elizabethtown Wal-Mart and Sav-On stores carry it. However, some patients may need in-office procedures such as fluoride gel treatments available at Elizabethtown Dental Associates.

Don’t worry if you have sensitive teeth in Elizabethtown and want to have your teeth whitened. Here at Elizabethtown Dental Associates, Dr. White can determine which professional tooth whitening or at-home whitening procedures will work for you.

Call our Elizabethtown cosmetic dental office today to get relief from your sensitive teeth.

Dr. Ed White
Elizabethtown Dental Associates
100 Continental Drive
Elizabethtown, PA 17022
717-689-2055
http://www.etowndental.com/about/

Dr. Ed White recommends having a thorough dental cleaning early in your pregnancy. Lying in a dentist’s chair can be uncomfortable during the last trimester. A professional cleaning performed by one of the skilled family dentistry hygienists at Elizabethtown Dental Associates, along with diligent brushing and flossing, helps prevent gum problems that are often triggered by hormonal changes. The American Dental Association has found a positive correlation between periodontal disease and preterm deliveries and low birth weight.

If you are currently pregnant and have sore, swollen or bleeding gums, schedule an appointment today by calling 717-689-2055. Once the baby is here, it will probably be harder for you to make time for a dental visit.

If you receive cosmetic dental treatment at Elizabethtown Dental Associates during your pregnancy, be sure to inform Dr. Ed White that you are expecting. This will affect decisions about X-rays, pain relievers, antibiotics, and conscious sedation dentistry.

Hormonal changes cause an increase in plaque production which can lead to decay. If you are eating many small meals during the day, take care to brush after eating. If you avoid sweet snacks, your teeth will be less likely to develop cavities.

Remember, your oral care, nutrition and lifestyle affect your baby. It is essential that you eat a healthy diet with a variety of foods. A poor diet can harm your baby’s tooth and bone development. Be sure to get enough calcium, iron, vitamins A, D and C, protein, and phosphorus. Your Elizabethtown Ob/Gyn can give you specific recommendations for your age, height, weight and medical conditions.

At Elizabethtown Dental Associates, we take special care of our clients who are expecting.