Category Archives: Professional Teeth Whitening

There are over 12 million new cases of cancer diagnosed each year. There are a large variety of different kinds of cancer, some of which are more preventable than others. It might seem obvious that brushing and flossing each day as well as avoiding tobacco can help protect you from oral cancer. However, there are types of oral cancer and other cancers that can be prevented through optimal oral care as well. 

Dental Care and Oral Cancer 

While it’s long been known that tobacco and heavy alcohol use are the main causes of oral, head, and neck cancer, poor oral health has recently been added to the list. A 2007 study published in American Journal of Epidemiology found that poor mouth health and missing teeth were strongly linked to the development of oral cancer. Likewise, patients with healthy smiles were found to be far less likely to develop oral cancer. If you have been diagnosed with oral cancer, know that common oral health problems such as gum disease and tooth decay could be making the condition worse. Visiting our dental office regularly for professional cleanings, examinations, and oral cancer screenings to help catch signs of oral cancer early and make treatment easier and more effective. 

Oral Health and Other Cancers 

Poor oral health has been shown to be tied to other types of cancers outside of the mouth. For example, a recent study conducted by NYU Langone Health's Perlmutter Cancer Center found that certain types of bacteria in patients with gum disease was tied to a higher risk of developing esophageal cancer. While esophageal cancer only accounts for 1% of new cancer cases diagnosed annually, over 90% of patients will die of the disease. Untreated gum disease opens up the tissues around the teeth to bacterial infection, allowing these harmful bacteria to enter the bloodstream and infect other parts of the patient’s body. Maintaining optimal oral health can help protect you from this threat. 

Your oral health affects much more than just your mouth. If you’re not taking care of your teeth, tongue, and gums, you could significantly increase your risk of developing cancer without even realizing it. If you’d like to learn more about the connection between oral health and cancer, contact our dental team to schedule an examination and cleaning today!

Don’t wait until you’re in pain to see your dentist! Most people make time to clean out the house, car, garage, or closets at least twice a year. Why not include your oral health on your “to do” list? 

Schedule an Appointment Now!  

Regular professional cleaning and examinations are essential to maintaining optimal oral health. These routine visits are your first line of defense against tooth decay, periodontal disease, oral cancers, and more. Early identification and treatment of any oral illness improves outcomes and allows for less-invasive treatment options. Don’t wait until it hurts! 

Why Do We Avoid Going? 

The HDI institute, in a study done with the American Dental Association, lists some of the main reasons we sometimes delay going to the dentist. Cost, low perceived need, time, and anxiety are the most common causes. However, if we allow these concerns to interfere with oral care, we may allow more serious issues to develop. 

When Should We See the Dentist? 

The ADA or American Dental Society recommends maintaining twice yearly visits for cleaning and examinations. In addition, they advise making an appointment for any of the following concerns:  

1. Pain in your mouth, teeth, or face 

2. Injury to your mouth, teeth, or face 

3. Conditions that can affect oral health, such as diabetes 

4. Pregnancy 

5. Jaw pain or stiffness 

6. Bleeding, swelling, or redness in your gums  

7. Recent dental treatment, such as fillings, crowns, implants, or root canal 

8. Pain or difficulty eating or drinking  

9. Chronic dry mouth 

10. Smoking or tobacco use 

11. Sores in your mouth that are not healing 

12. You have questions or concerns about your oral health or hygiene 

Our dentist in Newington is here to help you achieve and maintain your best oral health. To schedule your next appointment, please contact our Newington CT dentist.  

About 1 in 4 adults in the United States feels embarrassed by the look of their smile. Our dental office is proud to offer porcelain dental veneers to new and existing patients. Our Newington dentist has the training and experience to provide porcelain veneers to patients who wish to restore a whiter, healthier, more even look to their smile. 

Porcelain veneers are a cosmetic and restorative dental solution that mimic the look and feel of natural teeth. Veneers create an immediate improvement in the appearance of a smile. They are a minimally invasive treatment option and can be more cost-effective than many other cosmetic improvement options. 

Patients  whose teeth are healthy, but are chipped, cracked, crooked, or mildly stained can benefit from veneers. Patients whose teeth are uneven or have gaps may also find veneers are a great solution for improving the look of their smile. 

We offer custom-crafted porcelain veneers that are fitted precisely to cover the front surface of the tooth. Because porcelain is a semi-translucent material, the tooth continues to have a natural healthy appearance with the veneer in place. Veneers are chosen with care to match the natural teeth around them, to ensure optimal aesthetic results. 

Once placed, porcelain veneers are a strong, stain-resistant, and long-lasting cosmetic dental solution. However, porcelain dental veneers need ongoing dental care, just like natural teeth. They should be brushed and flossed regularly and normal dental exam and cleaning schedules should be maintained. When cared for properly, veneers can last a lifetime. 

There are some additional factors to consider before choosing veneers. First, it is common to experience some sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages for a few days following the placement of veneers. This is generally mild and unlikely to last more than about a week. 

Second, while porcelain is a strong and durable material, it is recommended to avoid activities that will put great stress on the veneers, such as chewing excessively hard foods or using the teeth to attempt to open a nut or bottle. Finally, any patient who has issues with bruxism (grinding) should discuss this with our doctor before deciding whether to have dental veneers placed. 

For more information or to schedule a consultation with our Newington CT dentist, contact our office today. We're here to give you a smile that you can show with pride. 

Your smile is one of the first things a person will notice when you meet.  If you would like to improve your smile with a simple procedure, teeth whitening may be a great option for you, especially if you have stained, dull or discolored teeth. Our dental office is providing teeth whitening services to new and existing patients.

Regardless of how well you care for your teeth, over time, discoloration will occur.  The main causes of stained teeth are genetics, antibiotics, tobacco and certain foods. As we age, our teeth darken as well. While preventing tooth discoloration is nearly impossible, our experienced team can help reverse the effects of discoloration by helping to create a whiter and brighter smile.

Whether it’s an in-office treatment or at-home treatment, the principles of teeth whitening are the same.  A special whitening agent is applied to the teeth in order to bleach stains and brighten your smile. Our expert dentist will discuss your whitening needs and goals with you to determine which option is best for you.

In-office teeth whitening is the quickest method to a brighter, whiter smile.  With the supervision of an experienced dental professional, like our dentist in 06111 , a stronger bleaching solution can be used than with at-home kits. Optimal results are achieved much faster with the professional whitening treatment, and in many ways the results are much better given the nature of the bleaching agents that are used. On average, patients find they appear up to ten years younger just by restoring the bright, white smile of their youth.

During a professional teeth whitening treatment, we will first clean the teeth.  They will apply a whitening agent to your teeth, carefully avoiding your gums and soft tissue.  Once applied, a laser light will be directed at the teeth to expedite the process.  For maximum results, the process may be repeated more than once.

If a visit to our office for professional whitening isn't an option for you, at-home treatment may provide the whitening you need. While you will find a vast variety of at-home teeth whitening products on the market, including whitening toothpastes, over-the-counter gels, rinses, strips, trays and more, we can fit you with custom-made whitening trays that will more accurately fit to your teeth for a more even whitening result.

At-home teeth whitening results are less dramatic compared to those achieved at the dentist. While at-home teeth whitening is easy to use, it is not recommended if your teeth or gums are sensitive. 

If you are looking to brighten your smile and look ten years younger, contact our dental office in Newington, CT for more information or to schedule a consultation today.

East Cedar Dental wants to be your dental partner in good health, and we want you to know everything about teeth whitening. All of our patients can benefit from professional services for their oral health at any time - the decision is yours!

What is professional teeth whitening?

Professional teeth whitening, also known as in-office bleaching, is a treatment that uses a special gel and blue light to accelerate the tooth's natural process of becoming whiter. Once the gel is on your teeth, the treatment only takes 30 to 60 minutes to complete. To get the best results, you'll need to consult your dentist on how many times you'll need the treatment.



Following your dentist's aftercare instructions will ensure that you retain any work benefits when the treatment is finished. You may experience sensitivity after professional treatments like these.  It’s important that you don't eat high acidic and pigmented foods or beverages. For example, it would be best to avoid soda, wine, coffee, tomatoes, mustard, tobacco, tea, and more.

Professional teeth whitening gets rid of the fuss and hassle of over-the-counter kits. So let our crew at East Cedar Dental in Newington, CT do what we were trained to do; take care of your teeth.

Is it worth getting your teeth whitened professionally?

Yes! It's absolutely worth going to the dentist to get your teeth whitened. Professional teeth whitening is a safer treatment than at-home kits. It also will give you quicker results and last longer than anything you can get from a store.

Getting your teeth professionally whitened is also better for your oral health because your dentist will deep clean your teeth before whitening them. Letting a dentist whitened your teeth also allows you to pick the brightness level you want.



Over-the-counter whitening kits might seem like the more affordable choice, but they don't keep your teeth white as long, and they take many more applications to brighten your teeth. So when you compare prices, teeth whitening is generally the more long-term, cost-effective option.

How long do professional teeth whitening treatments last?

The length of time and effectiveness depend on several factors. Some treatments can last up to a year, while others may lose their effects in just six months or less. Factors like tooth sensitivity, diet, how often you brush your teeth every day, as well as other health conditions, will also affect the lifespan of your bright smile!



What does this mean? It means that there is no telling exactly how long your professional whitening treatment will work without knowing more about what's going on inside your mouth. Therefore, you should always ask before getting started with an extensive dental procedure what you can do at home to maintain the brightness level of your teeth.

How much do professional whitening treatments costs?

Professional whitening treatments can vary in price depending on the type of professional treatment. 

The typical cost for this procedure ranges between $150 and $200 per session, with a recommended minimum number of sessions needed based on how many shade changes are desired (usually four). A second option would be take-home whiteners that typically range from 20 percent below retail prices ($40) or 50% off retail pricing ($100), respectively. These generally need an initial consultation fee ranging at around $50 plus additional maintenance fees after purchase, but they have lower risks than over-the-counter kits.

Let Us Help You Newington, CT Whiten Your Teeth

East Cedar Dental wants to help people have strong and healthy teeth. Patients in the Newington, CT area can get professional teeth whitening done by contacting us at East Cedar Dental. We want to serve our community and provide excellent teeth care. 

Don't spend another day with stained teeth. Let our dental office remove any yellow and stains from your teeth with professional whitening in Newington, CT! If you want to schedule a teeth whitening appointment, click here!