Category: Oral Health

An Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA) is a certified dental assistant who has acquired additional schooling and training in order to obtain the skills and licensure that allows them to perform some procedures that you might usually associate with ones that your dentist used to do.

Because of their specialized training, EFDAs can perform the following additional procedures such as:

• Place fillings- One of the main duties of an EFDA is to place and contour fillings after the dentist has prepared the tooth. Once the dentist has prepared the tooth, the EFDA uses restorative materials to place, sculpt & polish the filling, check the bite occlusion, and make sure that the area flosses well. After completion, the dentist does a final check of the filling before the patient is dismissed.
• Perform polishing- Another procedure that an EFDA can perform is something called coronal polishing, which is like the polishing that a dental hygienist does at the end of a dental cleaning. Although polishing is often done after a dental filling, some EFDAs are utilized with dental hygienists to polish the teeth after a hygienist has finished with scaling, which is the therapeutic procedure that removes harmful deposits and bacteria during a dental cleaning. Polishing helps to remove surface stains, thus creating a smooth tooth surface.
• Apply fluoride treatments- EFDAs can apply fluoride treatments in the dental office. In-office fluoride varnish helps to prevent tooth decay by strengthening tooth structure.
• Place tooth sealants- EFDAs can place sealants, which is a preventative procedure to seal deep grooves in back teeth that are most vulnerable to decay.  

Why is the Dental Assistant Filling My Tooth?

Perhaps the last time you saw your dentist for a filling, the dentist’s assistant did some of the filling and shaping part of the procedure.

Modern dental care involves a team approach to providing you state of the art dental care. These days, dentists rely on their entire dental team to help support them in providing the most optimized & efficient care to treat your oral health needs. 

One of the most important members of the dental team is the Dental Assistant, who typically provides supportive dental duties such as taking dental x-rays and assisting the dentist with procedures. For many decades, dental assistants have been the team member who sits in during treatment while the dentist performs procedures such as fillings and crowns.  However, now the role of the dental assistant has evolved into more responsibilities than in the past.

In many states, including Pennsylvania, the role of dental assistants has advanced to add an additional level of clinician status. Currently, certified dental assistants are eligible for additional training that will allow them to become licensed professionals called Expanded Functions Dental Assistants (EFDA).  

What Training Does an EFDA Need?

In order to be accepted into an EFDA training program, one needs to be either a certified dental assistant or a registered dental hygienist. Training programs in Pennsylvania typically offer instruction over an 18-month period that involves both clinical and classroom instruction in advanced restorative techniques. Most programs require an internship with an approved dental office to finish clinical training.

Upon successful completion of training at an accredited school for expanded functions dental assistant training, students are eligible to sit for board examinations.  

Is an EFDA Certified?

Yes! If an EFDA passes the state board-approved examination, they may apply for state licensure. The PA State Board of Dentistry requires an EFDA to be licensed to practice within the state.

In order to practice, an EFDA must also have the following:

• PA State Licensure as an EFDA
• PA Certificate to take dental x-rays (radiographs)
• Completion of continuing education every two years for license renewal
• Completion of three hours of Pennsylvania Department of Human Services-approved training in child abuse recognition and state reporting requirements.
• CPR Certification 

Why Do Dentists Use an EFDA?

Sometimes, patients are surprised to know that their dentist is not doing the entire filling procedure from start to finish. Often, that is because not all patients have heard of EFDAs, or their previous dentist never utilized one. While in the past having an EFDA was less common, today, EFDAs are a strongly utilized team member in a dental practice. 

Having an EFDA among the dental team serves many benefits.  One of the most important benefits is access to care.  Because the EFDA can finish a filling, the dentist is able to begin treatment for another patient, which allows patients to get more timely appointments.

While some patients might wonder why an EFDA is doing their filling, they should know that they are being treated by a dental professional who may have already placed hundreds to maybe even thousands of fillings each year!

Your EFDA Has Professional Pride!

EFDAs are valued team members who have a strong sense of professional pride because they can use their additional skills to improve patients’ oral health. In fact, our practice has several EFDAs who are passionate about their career and helping their patients achieve their best smile!

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an infection of the gums, the soft tissues in your mouth that surround your teeth and jawbone. This infection is caused by harmful bacteria that is housed in plaque, which is a soft & sticky film that builds on our teeth every single day.  

Gum disease afflicts more than half of adults over the age of 30 in America! It is a serious infection that can not only lead to tooth loss but can also affect your overall health as well. What is even worse is that many don’t even realize they have it. So how is gum disease treated?

Non-surgical treatment options

Unfortunately, because gum disease is caused by bacteria that is forming in your mouth daily, there is not a complete cure for the disease, only management with a combination of periodontal therapy and proper oral home care. How easily gum health can be managed depends on your level of disease, risk factors, periodontal maintenance schedule, and your own home care.

• After therapy, home care is an important part of periodontal health management. Your dentist will help you create an effective home care routine that will fit your needs. This routine may include power toothbrushes, various flossing or in-between cleaning tools, special toothpaste, and mouth rinses. Home therapies can help reduce bacteria but alone cannot treat your disease because the infection has already caused damage to underlying tissues that require professional periodontal therapy.
• Scaling and root planing is another option. This is a deep-cleaning, nonsurgical procedure, done under a local anesthetic, whereby plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line are scraped away (scaling) and rough spots on the tooth root are made smooth (planing). Smoothing the rough spots removes bacteria and provides a clean surface for the gums to reattach to the teeth. Scaling and root planing is done if your dentist or periodontist determines that you have plaque and calculus under the gums that need to be removed.

Surgical treatments for gum disease

• Flap surgery/pocket reduction surgery– During this procedure, the gums are lifted back and the tartar is removed. The gums are then placed so that the tissue fits snugly around the tooth. This method reduces the size of the space between the gum and tooth, thereby decreasing the areas where harmful bacteria can grow and decreasing the chance of serious health problems associated with periodontal disease.
• Bone grafts involve using fragments of your own bone, synthetic bone, or donated bone to replace bone destroyed by gum disease. The grafts serve as a platform for the regrowth of bone, which restores stability to teeth.
• Soft tissue grafts reinforce thin gums or fill in places where gums have receded. Grafted tissue, most often taken from the roof of the mouth, is stitched in place, adding tissue to the affected area.
• Guided tissue regeneration is performed when the bone supporting your teeth has been destroyed. Done in combination with flap surgery, a small piece of mesh-like fabric is inserted between the bone and gum tissue. This keeps the gum tissue from growing into the area where the bone should be, allowing the bone and connective tissue to regrow to better support the teeth.
• Bone surgery following flap surgery, the bone around the tooth is reshaped to decrease the craters. This makes it harder for bacteria to collect and grow.

To best maintain your gum health, it is best to see a periodontist to discuss your own level of disease, personal risk factors, treatment options, home care routine, and maintenance schedule that will help you stabilize your disease and offer continued periodontal management.

Choosing a dentist can be tough. Many people will stick to the same dentist for large portions of their life. They are usually more than just someone looking at your teeth. Good dentists can forge lasting bonds with their patients. If you have been going to the same dentist for a while, when they retire, you move to a new area, or for any other reason, there is a pretty big hole that needs to be filled. It can be rough searching for a new person to feel comfortable in entrusting your dental health too. We are here to help! In this article, we have laid out some of the best tips and tricks to assist you in making the switch to a new dentist! 

Convenience – How easy are they to reach? 

Before even starting to look for a dentist, be sure to keep these 4 pieces of information in mind. They will be the biggest factors in finding the perfect dentist match for your needs. 

• How close are they to where you live? Your place of work?
• Check to see if the dentist is within your dental benefits network if you have benefits. 
• Is the dentist a member of the American Dental Association? 
• What are their office hours? How do they match up with your availability? 

The Hunt – Exploring available options 

Once you are on the lookout for a new dentist, suddenly ads targeting you will be seemingly everywhere. So, how do you search through to find the best options?

• A simple Google search such as “Best Dentist Near Me…” 
• Use online tools such as the American Dental Association’s find a dentist tool. Along with this one, there are quite a few you can find.  
• Read reviews and make your own decision based on what people have written. Everyone has a unique experience, for better or worse.
• Be sure to thoroughly go through the websites of dentists you find that might match what you are looking for. This helps you get to know them better and might ease your uneasiness of entering a new environment. 

Testing New Waters 

After you’ve narrowed it down to your top choices, most dentists allow you to have the option of talking over the phone or even an in-person consultation. Here is where you can test your comfortability with the dentist, their staff, and their office. There are a few things you can do to make it a beneficial experience. 

• Examine the office to make sure it is what you are looking for. Scenery, the staff’s personability, cleanliness, etc. are all things to keep in mind. 
• Does the dentist’s office provide emergency dentistry? 
• Make sure the dentist and staff understand your concerns and any anxieties you may have involving dental work. 
• Try to gauge if the dentist is happily working with you to provide the best care, and not just focused on a dollar figure. 

Finalizing Your Choice

Did the dentist you choose live up to your expectations? If not, don’t feel bad about trying out another one. Your overall health can be greatly affected by your oral health and care. A good dentist should be a trusted guide you can look to in times of health needs. 

We’d love to meet you, stop by Noll Family Dentistry, or give us a call at 717-243-9020. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have or help you schedule an appointment.

In the event that one of your teeth shows signs of decay as the result of a cavity or other trauma, tooth fillings become a must. The cost of a filling can be a major concern. Once your dentist removes the decayed portion of your tooth, a filling is put in place to restore look and function to the affected tooth.

One of the larger cost considerations when it comes to fillings is the material that the fillings are made out of. There are several major materials available today for tooth fillings, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The prices listed here are based on averages in the United States and will vary based on your coverage. If you’d like to save money on your dental fillings, consider checking out the Verber Dental Plan.

Composite Fillings – Between $150 and $550, depending on the number of fillings.

• The first among them is tooth-colored composite fillings. These come with several advantages, the first of which is the actual look of the filling. It’s possible to match the color of the filling to the color of the tooth, which makes it a good choice for front teeth or otherwise highly visible teeth. Often, another advantage of this type of filling is the ability for your dentist to not need to remove as much of your tooth. Generally, though, composite fillings tend to wear out faster than other types and may last at least 5 years, significantly shorter than the other types outlined below. Composite fillings also tend to be about twice the cost of amalgam fillings.

Cast Gold -Between $300 and $1,800, depending on the number of fillings.

• Another major type of dental filling is the cast gold filling. It will tend to be the most expensive of the three major types covered here, sometimes costing up to ten times more than amalgam fillings. These types of fillings do also tend to require more than one office visit for it to be placed. Gold fillings do get high marks for being durable, lasting ten to fifteen years, and not being prone to corrosion. The color of these types of fillings can be either an advantage or disadvantage to some. Patients will sometimes prefer gold as it tends to be pleasing to the eye. Others may find any color other than the natural color of teeth less than ideal. 

Dental fillings can vary greatly in cost, but one filling may be better suited to your needs than another. Contact your dentist and talk to them about your various options and coverage to find out pricing that is specific to you. If you’re in need of dental coverage, consider exploring the Verber Dental Plan to reduce the cost of your fillings.

Having a toothache or pain is not fun, but it can also be dangerous if you don’t see a dentist. Symptoms of a toothache may include sharp, throbbing, or constant pain. You may have swelling, fever or headache, or foul-tasting drainage from an infected tooth. The symptoms may vary but it’s important to know when to go to the dentist.

See your dentist as soon as possible about your toothache if:

• You have a toothache that lasts longer than 1 or 2 days
• Your toothache is severe
• You have a fever, earache, or pain upon opening your mouth wide

Proper identification and treatment of dental infections are important to prevent its spread to other parts of the face and possibly even to the bloodstream.

Treatments for a toothache:

• Treatment for a toothache depends on the cause. If a cavity is causing the toothache, your dentist will fill the cavity or possibly extract the tooth, if necessary.
• A root canal might be needed if the cause of the toothache is determined to be an infection of the tooth’s nerve. Bacteria that have worked their way into the inner aspects of the tooth cause such an infection.
• An antibiotic may be prescribed if there is fever or swelling of the jaw.

For temporary relief, you can do the following:

• Rinse with warm saltwater: Saltwater can loosen debris between your teeth, act as a disinfectant and reduce inflammation. Stir a ½ teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water and rinse your mouth thoroughly.
• Rinse with hydrogen peroxide: A hydrogen peroxide (3% solution) helps to reduce inflammation and pain. Dilute the hydrogen peroxide with equal parts water and rinse thoroughly. Do not swallow it.
• Cold compress: For swelling and pain hold a cold compress of ice wrapped in a towel to the painful area for 20-minute periods. Repeat every few hours.
• Pain medications: Over-the-counter pain medications can reduce pain and inflammation. Take as directed on the bottle.

Since most toothaches are the result of tooth decay, following good oral hygiene practices can prevent toothaches. Good oral hygiene practices consist of brushing regularly with a fluoride-containing toothpaste, flossing daily, and seeing your dentist twice a year for professional cleaning.

Contact us at Noll Family Dentistry today to schedule an appointment. If you have a toothache make sure to call us as soon as possible so we can get that taken care of and you can be pain-free again!

Flossing is an important part of keeping your mouth healthy but when is the right time for kids to start? With brushing teeth, parents and children can start the habit as soon as a child grows in multiple baby teeth. However, with flossing, it’s not necessary to begin until their teeth start to fit closely together.

Most children will be able to start flossing between the ages of two and six. Parents should floss for children before they try it on their own. Even after your child is physically capable of flossing their own teeth, you should continue to supervise and help out until they are around the age of 10 so that you can be sure they are flossing thoroughly and getting the areas between each tooth every time they floss.

Bleeding when flossing:

You may notice your child’s gums bleeding when you floss for them. No need to panic; a little bit of bleeding at the beginning of a flossing habit is totally normal. This can also happen in adults who start flossing their teeth regularly for the first time. If your child’s gums bleed when you floss for them, this should stop happening after you’ve been flossing regularly for several days, as their gums become stronger and healthier.

If your child’s gums are still bleeding after a week of starting a flossing habit, contact your dentists to check and make sure everything is okay. You may simply need to floss more gently, but persistent gum bleeding could also be a sign of gingivitis, which should be checked by a dental professional.

Tips to make flossing easier:

If you are using traditional dental floss to floss your child’s teeth, you may have difficulty reaching between each tooth effectively since their mouths and teeth very small. If you’re able to effectively use traditional floss for your child’s teeth, teach them the same flossing techniques adults use when they are old enough to start picking it up on their own. You can show them how to wrap the floss firmly around their fingers and pull it tight so that it is more effective in removing plaque and food particles from their mouth.

You may want to consider selecting a wider, flatter dental tape for flossing your child’s teeth than you would for your own. Since kids are still growing in all of their teeth and their baby teeth will eventually be replaced by permanent ones, baby teeth tend to be smaller and farther apart than adult teeth. A flatter dental floss will help your child more effectively clean the spaces between their teeth than they would with a floss that has a finer width.

Praising your child for doing a good job is another motivator. Using rewards like colorful stickers may help encourage those harder-to-motivate kids.

Floss picks for kids:

Consider buying some floss picks if you are struggling with traditional floss. This will make it much easier to reach between your child’s teeth effectively, and they are also much easier for children to use on their own when they learn to floss. Additionally, individual floss picks come in fun shapes and colors that may make your child more interested in nightly flossing!

These tips should help start you and your child out on the right foot to set up a lifelong flossing habit to keep their mouth healthy! If you have any questions or would like to consult with a dentist, please contact our office today.

Starting and practicing good habits at a young age can help keep their teeth and gums healthy for decades to come.

Q: How long does a root canal take?

A: On average, a root canal procedure can take anywhere from 60 minutes to 90 minutes for the entire appointment, but sometimes more complex procedures may take longer.

The time that you’ll be in the chair for your procedure will depend on a variety of factors including the level of infection in your tooth, the tooth that needs root canal therapy, and other related oral health issues. 

But before the fear of sitting through a root canal procedure enters, we want you to know that a root canal shouldn’t be painful. There is a lot of misinformation that surrounds root canals that they’re awful, but when performed properly the root canal therapy should help to remove the pain associated with your tooth.

Root canal therapy is usually performed by your dentist and can either be in one or two appointments depending on the scope of work being performed. 

Read more to learn more about what happens during a root canal therapy.

How do I know if I need a root canal?

All teeth have a pulp which is the living tissue inside the root of your tooth that connects it to your bone and gums. The pulp of your tooth is full of blood vessels and nerves and if they become infected, this procedure can save your natural tooth while removing the infected tissues and nerves in the pulp. Teeth that often need this are usually damaged from the following:

• Cracks or large chips that damage the pulp and nerves
• Teeth that have infections from large cavities
• Teeth that are damaged from years of repeated dental work

Root canals on molars

Your molars are the most time-consuming teeth since they’re in the back of your mouth and can have up to four canals. Root canal therapy on your molars require more work to remove the infection, clean, and fill which can take up to 90 minutes or more.

Premolars:

Your premolars are the teeth behind your front teeth and before your molars and these teeth typically only have two roots and usually, only take about an hour depending on the anatomy of the tooth and the severity of the infection.

Incisors and canine tooth:

These are the teeth in the front of your mouth and they have a single root which makes them the quickest teeth to fill for a root canal. Your dentist can typically perform the procedure for your front teeth for around 60 minutes, but again it depends on the severity of the infection. 

Why can a root canal occasionally take two visits?

Depending on the severity of the infection or the tooth that requires a root canal therapy, your dentist may decide to split the procedure into two sessions. The first appointment they’ll probably focus on removing the infected tissue and if it’s severe or in a hard to access area, this may be all they do the first appointment. After they remove the infection, a temporary antibacterial medication in your tooth until your next appointment. 

The second part of your treatment will require a little more cleaning and a permanent sealant of the inside of your tooth. A filling will then be placed and in some circumstances, a crown might be placed.

Root canals, in conclusion…

A root canal therapy is a serious treatment but most patients won’t experience any more discomfort than a typical cavity filling. The main thing to remember is that the pain is much worse by letting a damaged tooth go untreated without root canal therapy and the procedure actually is intended to remove the painful infection. 

We’re here to help, if you’re experiencing tooth pain, swelling, and discomfort you should contact us at 717-243-9020 and get it taken care of before it gets worse.

Jaw popping can be alarming and sometimes painful, but there isn’t any need to panic. This popping in your jaw is caused by a dysfunction in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), a hinge that connects the jawbone to the jaw with one on both sides of your face. It’s important to note that the term TMJ can refer to both the joint itself and to the disorder caused by issues with the joint. The disorder can also be referred to as TMD or TMJD. This hinge is what allows you to talk, chew, and even yawn. Popping in this joint can arise when it is not working properly. Certain actions can cause a TMJ disorder or make it worse, such as chewing gum too often, grinding your teeth, clenching your jaw, thrusting your jaw out, or biting your fingernails, lips, or cheeks. When these actions are taken too often, it can cause wear and tear on the joint leading to the pain and popping. 

Should you be worried?

In the absence of jaw pain, popping isn’t usually a cause for concern. Certain underlying medical conditions can cause TMJ disorders though. A few examples of these medical conditions include a broken or dislocated jaw, arthritis, malocclusion (misalignment) of the teeth, certain tumors, infection, and sleep apnea. If you are already working through one of these conditions, it’s important to talk to your doctor or dentist about how they may be affecting the health of your temporomandibular joint. 

Treatment:

If you’re experiencing popping in your jaw, you will first and foremost want to talk to your general practice doctor or your dentist about it at soon as possible. As there are some habitual actions that can cause wear and tear to the joint, it’s possible your doctor may be able to identify these and help you to begin correcting it. If your TMJD is being caused by an underlying health condition, it’s important to identify these issues early as that will have an impact on treatment moving forward. Luckily, there are many different treatments available for this condition.

In terms of least invasive, using an ice pack and then applying heat thereafter can help to relax the joint. Additionally, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and aspirin can help to reduce pain and popping. Wearing a night guard in your mouth and eating softer foods can also help to lessen the discomfort. Exercises specifically designed to reduce the discomfort associated with TMJD are also available and can even be found on YouTube. Slightly more invasive treatments include ultrasounds, trigger point injections, radio wave therapy, transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS). 

If these treatments don’t prove successful, it is possible to receive surgery for TMJD. This would only be used as a last resort to correct the issue. However, most of the time TMJD can be corrected and alleviated with lifestyle changes and at-home treatments.

If your jaw is experiencing the issues mentioned above, schedule a visit with your dentist so they can examine your jaw and determine your next steps.

There are dozens of toothbrushes to choose from in stores these days. So how do you know which one is right for you? Here are some steps to help you choose the best type of toothbrush for your oral care needs.

The steps:

1. First Decide on Manual or Electric: As long as you brush for two minutes twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, it doesn’t matter which one you choose. However, you might be better off with a powered toothbrush if you:

• Have limited manual dexterity
• Tend to brush too vigorously
• Need help ensuring you brush for the proper amount of time
• Get advice from your dentist to do a better job of cleaning your teeth.

Many powered toothbrushes alert you when you’ve brushed for two minutes.

2. Look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance: It’s always best to use a toothbrush backed by the American Dental Association. The standards ADA-approved toothbrushes meet often go beyond what government regulations require.

3. Select the Best Type of Bristles: Most dental professionals agree that a soft-bristled toothbrush is best for teeth, especially for removing plaque and debris. Depending on how vigorously you brush your teeth and the strength of your teeth, medium and hard-bristled brushes could actually damage the gums, root surface, and protective tooth enamel.

4. Choose the Size of Toothbrush Head: Small-headed brushes can better reach all areas of the mouth – including hard-to-reach back teeth. For most adults, a toothbrush head a half-inch wide and one-inch tall will be the easiest to use and the most effective. You might also check with your dentist to determine if you need any particular toothbrush.

5. Pick Out a Brush Handle That’s Best for You: Depending on your situation, you might require a non-slip grip or flexible-neck handle.

6. Opt for Your Favorite Color Toothbrush: This is the fun part. Once you narrow down your choices pick your favorite color!

Taking it step-by-step, choosing the most effective and most comfortable toothbrush should be a breeze. Unless you select a powered brush, the manual toothbrush you use will most likely be an ADA-approved small-headed, soft-bristled brush with a proper grip in your favorite color.

Contact us at Noll Family Dentistry for any questions on toothbrushes or to make an appointment!

We see celebrities and pro athletes sporting pearly white teeth but the smiles of most people are a tad duller. Many things can affect the color of your teeth and turn them yellow, which may make some people feel self-conscious about their appearance. 

There are several causes of tooth discoloration, including:

• Foods/drinks – Coffee, tea, colas, wines, and certain fruits and vegetables.
• Tobacco use – Smoking or chewing tobacco can stain teeth.
• Poor dental hygiene – Not brushing, flossing, and rinsing enough to remove plaque and stain-producing substances.
• Disease – Several diseases that affect enamel can lead to tooth discoloration. For example, head and neck radiation and chemotherapy can cause teeth discoloration.
• Medications – Some antibiotics are known to discolor teeth when given to children whose teeth are still developing. Antihistamines, antipsychotic drugs, and drugs for high blood pressure also cause teeth discoloration.
• Aging – As you age, the outer layer of enamel on your teeth wears away, revealing the natural color of dentin.
• Genetics – Some people have naturally brighter or thicker enamel than others.
• Environment – Excessive fluoride either from environmental sources or from excessive use can cause teeth discoloration.
• Trauma – For example, damage from a fall can disturb enamel formation in young children whose teeth are still developing. Trauma can also cause discoloration to adult teeth.

How the color of your teeth changes may help point to the cause:

Are your teeth yellow? As you age, the white enamel surface of your teeth may wear down. The yellow core of your teeth becomes more visible.

Are your teeth turning brown? Tobacco, dark beverages like tea or coffee, and poor brushing habits that lead to tooth decay may cause teeth to turn brown.

Do you have white spots in your teeth? As young teeth develop, too much fluoride can cause white spots. This is called fluorosis and it happens when teeth come into contact with too much fluoride from drinking water or excess use of fluoride rinses or toothpastes.

Tooth Discoloration Prevention Methods

A few simple lifestyle changes may help prevent teeth discoloration:

• If you’re a coffee drinker or smoker, consider cutting back or quitting.
• Improve your dental hygiene by brushing, flossing, and using a mouthwash daily.
• Have your teeth cleaned by a dental hygienist every 6 months.
• If the color of your teeth change without an explanation and other symptoms are also present, make an appointment to see your dentist.

Tooth Discoloration Treatments

Treatment options to whiten teeth can vary depending on the cause of the discoloration and may include:

• Using tooth brushing and flossing techniques
• Avoidance of the foods and beverages that cause stains
• Professional whitening treatments
• In-home whitening agents purchased from your dentist
• Veneers: A dentist or oral surgeon puts a thin shell of material over the entire front of your tooth to change the color or shape.

Our Team in Carlisle, PA loves providing the care you deserve. From Children’s Dentistry to routine dental care, we go above and beyond to ensure you’re comfortable and confident at our office. Contact us today at 717.243.9020.