They all have them… TV news anchors, talk show hosts, movie actors, rock stars old and young. And they flash them at us on the small and the big screen. What are they but perfect sets of brighter than bright, whiter than white teeth!

Most of us would love to have a brighter, whiter smile. We purchase the latest “whitening” products and toothpastes in the hope that our teeth can get just a shade or two whiter. But while brushing our teeth and using dental floss regularly is great for our general dental health, it does little to really whiten teeth for the long term.

“The only way someone can significantly whiten their teeth is having a reputable dentist provide a whitening treatment in a dental office setting,” says Jim Garrett, DDS of RCMS Pt. Arena Dental Clinic. “Cleaning the surface enamel of your teeth can be done quite effectively by brushing and with regular, professional dental cleaning. However, to whiten teeth, it is necessary to effectively work on the layer underneath the enamel. Here at the dental clinic in Pt. Arena, we use a system that combines plasma light technology and hydrogen peroxide to do this,” he added.

Christy Spencer, Registered Dental Assistant at the Pt. Arena clinic performs the treatment regularly on people who are looking to eliminate stains caused by tobacco products, or by drinking large amounts of coffee, tea and darkly colored soft drinks. The process consists of a concentrated hydrogen peroxide whitening gel that is activated by a special “blue” light.

The treatment takes approximately 45 minutes, is completely safe and the results are immediate. Most patients’ teeth can be measurably whitened by two or three shades. Usually there is no pain or sensitivity. However, some people with sensitive teeth do experience an increased sensation for up to 24 hours after the whitening process. The long-term results depend primarily on the individual, but can last up to one year.

Almost everyone can benefit from this teeth-whitening procedure, though currently the minimum age is 21. Pregnant women may experience additional gum sensitivity, and may wish to defer having the procedure until after pregnancy.

The cost of the teeth whitening process offered at the RCMS Dental Clinic is $100, and is not covered by insurance.

Why not treat yourself, or a friend or family member, to a great looking smile for the holidays? Call the RCMS Dental Clinic in Pt. Arena at 882-2189 for more information or an appointment. And get those pearly whites really white.

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