SpaBites - Cosmetic Teeth Whitening News for the Beauty Industry

Ask Dr. Jenny: Cold Sores?

2009-09-01T20:34:00.000-07:00

To ask Dr. Jenny a question, please send an email addressed to her to info@beyondwhitespa.com.

Q: If a client has cold sores or “fever blisters”, can they use BEYOND™ WhiteSpa^®?

A: For clients with cold sores or fever blisters, they should avoid the WhiteSpa^® treatment while they have an open sore or inflamed area. This is because the treatment involves the use of a cheek retractor which will stretch the skin of the lips and may further irritate the inflamed area. The treatment itself will not cause cold sores or fever blisters. Liberal use of lip protection cream should always be used to ensure that the lips are moist and supple during the treatment.

Orange Juice Worse for Teeth than Whitening

2009-07-08T00:18:00.000-07:00

With the increasing popularity of whitening one’s teeth, researchers at the Eastman Institute for Oral Health, part of the University of Rochester Medical Center, set out to learn if there are negative effects on the tooth from using whitening products.

Eastman Institute’s YanFang Ren, DDS, PhD, and his team determined that the effects of 6 percent hydrogen peroxide, the common ingredient in professional and over-the-counter whitening products, are insignificant compared to acidic fruit juices. Orange juice markedly decreased hardness and increased roughness of tooth enamel.

Unlike ever before, researchers were able to see extensive surface detail thanks to a new focus-variation vertical scanning microscope. “The acid is so strong that the tooth is literally washed away,” said Ren, whose findings were recently published in Journal of Dentistry. “The orange juice decreased enamel hardness by 84 percent.” No significant change in hardness or surface enamel was found from whitening.

Weakened and eroded enamel may speed up the wear of the tooth and increase the risk for tooth decay to quickly develop and spread. “Most soft drinks, including sodas and fruit juices, are acidic in nature,” Ren said. “Our studies demonstrated that the orange juice, as an example, can potentially cause significant erosion of teeth.”

It’s long been known that juice and sodas have high acid content, and can negatively affect enamel hardness. “There are also some studies that showed whitening can affect the hardness of dental enamel, but until now, nobody had compared the two,” Ren explained. “This study allowed us to understand the effect of whitening on enamel relative to the effect of a daily dietary activity, such as drinking juices.

“It’s potentially a very serious problem for people who drink sodas and fruit juices daily,” said Ren, who added that dental researchers nationwide are increasingly studying tooth erosion, and are investing significant resources into possible preventions and treatments. “We do not yet have an effective tool to avert the erosive effects, although there are early indications that higher levels of fluoride may help slow down the erosion.”

A Texas-based company, Beyond Dental and Health, sponsored the trial in part by providing the 6 percent hydrogen peroxide.

In the meantime, Ren advises that consumers be aware of the acidic nature of beverages, including sodas, fruit juices, sports and energy drinks. The longer teeth are in contact with the acidic drinks, the more severe the erosion will be. People who sip their drinks slowly over 20 minutes are more likely to have tooth erosion than those who finish a drink quickly. It’s also very important to keep good oral hygiene practices, Ren added, by brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, and see a dentist for a fluoride treatment at least once a year if you are at risk.

Eastman Institute for Oral Health is a world leader in research and post-doctoral education in general and pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, and oral surgery. Patients are seen at many sites throughout the Rochester community.

Republished from the URMC website.

Featured Article: Up from the Dentist's Chair (GCI, Feb 09)

2009-02-10T23:28:00.000-08:00

GCI contacted us last month to see if we would be interested in contributing to an article on cosmetic teeth whitening. We already loved this publication for their unbiased, well-written articles that address pertinent issues in the beauty industry and were very excited to be contacted for this feature.

True to form, the final result is an informative and well-researched article on the industry, how it has grown, and where it's headed.

You can view the entire article on their website here.

Hurry! Offer Ends Feb. 28!

2009-02-02T22:54:00.000-08:00

You still have two more weeks to take advantage of our amazing special offer!

Between now and Feb. 28, when you purchase two WhiteSpa^® Select Five Client Treatment Packs at regular price ($250 each), we'll send you a case of BEYOND™ Pearl White^®' Toothpaste for FREE!

Each case contains 25 3.5 Oz tubes of our popular Pearl White^® Toothpaste, a $112.50 value! Mix and match flavors (Advanced Whitening and Sensitivity are available) or order an entire case of your favorite.

Contact us at info@beyondwhitespa.com today to learn more!

Featured Article: The Great White Way (Medical Spa Report, Dec 08)

2009-01-22T18:35:00.000-08:00

In December 2008, we collaborated with Medical Spa Report to provide their readers with an informative buyers' guide to cosmetic teeth whitening systems.

We hear about and see so many different rumors and half-truths floating around with regard to teeth whitening systems and our concern that consumers aren't being educated correctly about the science of teeth whitening and important product features is growing. So, we wanted to set the record straight with a well-researched, comprehensive article that covers all of the basic, need-to-know items that a discerning spa owner should be aware of before investing in a cosmetic teeth whitening system.

You can read the complete article online by clicking here. As always, questions are welcome!

Welcome to SpaBites!

2009-01-22T16:42:00.000-08:00

Welcome to SpaBites, the all new blog from Beyond WhiteSpa!

We're transitioning from our monthly newsletter, The Beyond WhiteSpa Messenger, to a more frequent publishing schedule with SpaBites.

Feedback, questions, and requests for more information are always welcome. Contact us directly at info@beyondwhitespa.com and make sure to subscribe to SpaBites while you're here!