SLO Smiles Bleach Rinse Regimen

Lets cut to the chase—we all want healthier teeth.

Here at SLO Smiles, we have a budget friendly do-it-yourself remedy to improve oral health and take preventative measure against dental diseases and cavities. Before we jump into the regimen, it is important to understand the causes of too much plaque and its bad breath buddy, periodontitis.

When your teeth begin to loose their luster and strength, it is most often caused from too much plaque buildup. Plaque forms on your teeth when sugars and starches in your food begin to react with the bacteria in your mouth. Your normal brushing and flossing twice a day removes daily buildup, but plaque is pesky and with some folks it reforms very quickly.

In most cases, too much plaque buildup leads to periodontitis, which is an oral infection that can cause sore and bleeding gums. It can damage the soft tissue in your mouth, and decay the bone that supports your teeth. Periodontitis is also associated with at least 57 diseases and disabilities, including herpes virus.

10 Symptoms Associated With Periodontitis, According to Mayo Clinic

• Swollen and bright red, dusky red or purplish gums
• Gums that feel tender when touched
• Gums that bleed easily
• Gums that pull away from your teeth (recede), making your teeth look longer than normal
• New spaces developing between your teeth
• Pus between your teeth and gums
• Bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Painful chewing
• A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite

Whether you’re a patient of SLO Smiles or another SLO dentist, be sure to mention if you experience any of these symptoms. When left untreated, periodontitis can cause serious damage to your oral health.

Whew! That was a lot of information and dental jargon. Now lets get back to the solution. Whether you simply want to take preventative measures against gum disease and cavities, or you need to treat conditions like periodontitis, be sure to mention at home sodium hypochlorite (or bleach therapy) to your SLO dentist.

Now at this point it is easy to think: “Gargling bleach? Are you nuts?”

And you’re right to feel that way. Overly concentrated sodium hypochlorite can be extremely caustic and damaging to tissue. But as most backpackers and outdoor enthusiasts know, a little bit of bleach can be used to make contaminated water safe to drink. Sodium hypochlorite kills fungi and viruses, and when properly diluted, it can reduce plaque formation and eliminate bacteria in your gums. Sodium hypochlorite mouth rinse is not carcinogenic nor does it have long-term side effects.

Before you jump into a sodium hypochlorite rinse routine, be sure to talk to your SLO dentist to make sure it is the right treatment for you. At SLO Smiles, we are constantly learning and updating ourselves on the most recent oral health studies. We want to provide our patients with safe, effective, and affordable treatments to issues like plaque buildup. We want to empower our patients to understand their own oral health, without the overwhelming medical jargon.

Do you think a bleach regimen is right for you? Feel free to reach out to us online at SLO Smiles with any of your questions or concerns, or give us a call at (805) 541-0550. We are looking forward to providing you with the dental care you deserve.