Teeth Whitening

Some people try to get whiter smiles by whitening or bleaching their teeth. There are many different types:

Whitening Toothpastes: These are essentially polishers. They are more gritty.


Strips: These you apply to your teeth and leave them on. These basically bleach your teeth because they contain peroxide based solution.

Mouthwashes: These are supposed to whiten your teeth and you take them like mouthwash. Similar to strips they contain peroxide based solution that basically slowly bleaches your teeth!


More info
http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/teeth-whitening


But be careful if you decide to whiten your teeth. The peroxide will strip away the enamel on your teeth and remember enamel doesn’t grow back! The safest of these would be the toothpastes but if possible try to find natural ones without peroxide.

-Amanda and Erik

Away from Home Summer Camps and Retainers

Last week we went to a week long summer camp far away from home. Both of us obviously still wear retainers so we brought them along. Some of you might be worried that you shouldn’t bring them to camps. But in my cabin (Amanda) almost all the girls had brought them so I wasn’t alone. And both of us just kept the plastic cases in our suitcases so we wouldn’t forget to bring them home. We just wore them at night. We would recommend doing this rather then leaving them at home, aslong as you are really careful to make sure you bring them back! If you are going away for only a couple days it probably isn’t worth it to bring them and risk losing them. But a week and over definitely bring them!


Same goes for orthodontic bands and head gear!

-Amanda and Erik

Facts about Clindamycin

We talked about this drug last post. It is commonly offered to be taken before your wisdom teeth get removed. The reason they give it to you is because it is an antibiotic and is supposed to prevent infection from your teeth being removed. But there are some serious side effects. One side effect that is almost guaranteed is diarrhea. Almost everyone who has used this has experienced that. Some people also have very negative reactions to it. And it is not always offered just for wisdom teeth. We suggest that if you are offered it you read up on some of these articles before deciding to take it. Erik and our dad both went through the procedure without problems and did not take it.

Basic information

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clindamycin

http://www.livestrong.com/article/93028-clindamycin-side-effects/


People’s experience

http://www.topix.com/forum/drug/clindamycin/T7D1VG2KK8GUQ4M7S

-Amanda and Erik

Wisdom Teeth-Amanda: Preliminary Visit

Around a year ago, Erik got his wisdom teeth out. Now it is time for Amanda to get hers out.

I went to my first appointment at the oral surgeon’s office. I am going to the same doctor as Erik went to and am getting the same procedure: all four wisdom teeth out. When I got there, first I went into a room and watched an informative video on the procedure and different levels of anesthesia.

General: This choice is where you get put totally under.

Local: This is similar to Novocain for fillings. This is for the more stoic patients!

Light Sedation: In this choice, you receive a “happy juice” (usually midazolam, a light hypnotic) to calm you down and so you are barely aware, although not totally under. Then you receive local anesthesia. This is the option both Erik and I chose.


After my video, I talked to my doctor about the procedure briefly and we looked at my X-rays. It appears that my wisdom teeth aren’t deeply rooted which means they will be easier to get out! Then my mom made an appointment for the procedure.


Another thing that happened in this preliminary visit, is I got my prescription. The usual medicines you will get are ibuprofen (usually a high dose). I also got a prescription for Clindamycin, which I was told to take the day before the procedure. There are some serious side effects with this drug though, so we recommend doing some research before you decide to take this as it is not required.


So now all I have to do it wait till my appointment! We will keep you updated on the days before the procedure and the post-procedure.

-Amanda and Erik