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04
Jan
Is tooth whitening safe for Los Angeles patients?
The American Dental Association’s Statement, Safety and Effectiveness of Tooth Whitening Products, contains fascinating information. It describes potential pitfalls of inappropriate or overuse of dental whitening products without the oversight of a qualified practitioner. Los Angeles dentist, Dr. Don Mungcal, urges you to read this statement before embarking on an unsupervised tooth whitening experience.
Abrasives and tooth enamel
Whitening toothpastes remove surface stains with mechanical abrasion, grinding pigments from enamel. Initially, this brightens teeth a bit, potentially to their original shade. However, with regular use, this method leaves scratches in enamel that ultimately trap more stains and cause your smile to lose luster.
A sensitive issue
Bleaching removes pigments from microscopic channels in enamel, and can lighten the smile beyond its original shade. Most drug store products have the equivalent of 3.5 percent hydrogen peroxide, compared to the 10 to 40 percent concentration in dentist-prescribed teeth whitening gel. The tendency with retail whitening is to use it too often and for too long to try to get professional results. That causes sensitivity.
With a dentist’s oversight, a stronger solution gets the job done efficiently. Dr. Mungcal designs custom fit trays for comfortable at-home whitening. In addition, he may recommend porcelain veneers or dental crowns to safely disguise stubborn discoloration.
What about young adults?
Today’s teens and twenty-somethings are more concerned with appearance than ever before. With Dr. Mungcal’s careful supervision, there is no reason they can’t enjoy radiant smiles, too. Regular checkups and cleanings, a good start on healthy lifestyle habits, and at-home whitening if necessary, are great ways to:
- Build social confidence.
- Make a solid impression at a college or job interview.
- Be selfie-ready anytime.
In professional hands, tooth whitening options are quite safe and very effective. In the Los Angeles area call Downtown Dental at 213-863-9464 for an appointment with Dr. Mungcal.
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![Dr. Don Mungcal]()
Dr. Don Mungcal
As the cornerstone and founder of Downtown Dental, Dr. Don Mungcal is a proactive and
exceptionally talented dentist who is determined to contribute to the health and wellbeing of his community by
attending to their dental care needs.
With over 28 years of experience and service, Dr. Mungcal makes it his responsibility to be the best version of himself by being his patients’ go-to point for any and all dental concerns. In addition to being meticulous in his work ethic, he is also an individual who understands development and change. He updates and informs himself constantly through various continuous educational programs that he undertakes. He also invests in the latest state-of-the-art technology to provide world-class dental services.
Dr. Mungcal graduated from UCLA and the University of the Pacific Dental School and is presently a member of several acclaimed medical associations, including the California Dental Society.
With over 28 years of experience and service, Dr. Mungcal makes it his responsibility to be the best version of himself by being his patients’ go-to point for any and all dental concerns. In addition to being meticulous in his work ethic, he is also an individual who understands development and change. He updates and informs himself constantly through various continuous educational programs that he undertakes. He also invests in the latest state-of-the-art technology to provide world-class dental services.
Dr. Mungcal graduated from UCLA and the University of the Pacific Dental School and is presently a member of several acclaimed medical associations, including the California Dental Society.