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Tooth Discoloration: Causes and Whitening in Los Angeles

Mon, 19 Nov 2018 09:00:00 GMT

Noticing that your smile looks duller in photos than it used to can chip away at your confidence, especially when you brush and floss every day. At Forever Smile Dental Care in Los Angeles, Dr. Mehrshad Shelyan looks at what is causing the color change first, because the cause decides whether in-office Zoom whitening, take-home trays or another option will give you the brighter smile you want.

Stains that sit on the surface

Most everyday discoloration sits on the outer layer of the tooth, the enamel, and builds up slowly from what we eat, drink and do. Coffee, tea, red wine and deeply colored foods all carry pigments that cling to enamel, and tobacco leaves stubborn yellow and brown stains that deepen over the years. The ADA's MouthHealthy page on teeth whitening lists these same everyday causes.

Surface stains respond best to whitening, and a professional cleaning on its own often brightens them noticeably, which is one more way regular cleanings and checkups pay off for your smile.

Color that comes from inside the tooth

Some discoloration lives beneath the enamel, in the layer called dentin, and it behaves differently. As we age, enamel naturally thins and lets more of the yellower dentin show through, which is why teeth can look darker over time even with great home care. A knock to the mouth can darken a single tooth, sometimes months after the injury, and certain medications taken while teeth are still forming, such as some antibiotics in childhood, can leave lasting gray or brown bands.

A tooth that has turned dark on its own deserves an exam before anything else, because the color change can signal a problem with the nerve inside that needs care first.

Brightening your smile with professional whitening

For stains that whitening can reach, we offer Zoom in-office whitening , which can lighten your smile several shades in a single visit under our supervision, along with pre-filled take-home trays for patients who prefer to whiten at their own pace or keep their results fresh. Professional whitening is stronger and more even than store-bought strips, and we take steps to keep you comfortable if your teeth tend to be sensitive.

Yellow tones usually brighten well, while brown and gray tones can be slower to respond or may not change much at all, so Dr. Shelyan will tell you honestly what to expect before you begin.

Choosing another path when whitening is not enough

When the color comes from deep inside a tooth or from an old filling or crown, whitening alone may not match it, because whitening gel only changes natural tooth structure. In those cases porcelain veneers , bonding or a new crown can give you an even, natural color, and we will walk through each option with you so you can choose what feels right.

Keeping your brighter smile longer

Once your teeth are brighter, small habits help the color last: rinsing with water after coffee, tea or red wine, drinking dark beverages through a straw when you can, not smoking and keeping up with your cleanings. Occasional touch-ups with take-home trays can refresh your results whenever you feel they need it.

Questions about tooth stains

Why are my teeth turning yellow even though I brush every day?

Brushing removes plaque, but it cannot lift every pigment from coffee, tea or wine, and enamel naturally thins with age, letting the yellower layer underneath show through. At our Los Angeles office, Dr. Shelyan can tell you which cause is behind your color change and whether whitening is likely to help.

Can whitening fix a single dark tooth?

Often not on its own. A single tooth that darkens after an injury or over time may have a problem inside it, so Dr. Shelyan examines it first at our Los Angeles office. Depending on the cause, treating the tooth and then placing a veneer, bonding or a crown may give the most natural match.

Is professional whitening safe for my teeth?

Yes, when a dentist supervises it. Professional whitening is stronger and more even than store-bought kits, and our Los Angeles team checks your teeth and gums before we begin. Some patients feel temporary sensitivity that fades quickly, and we can recommend products to keep you comfortable throughout.

Will whitening change the color of my fillings or crowns?

No. Whitening gel brightens natural tooth structure, but it does not change the color of fillings, crowns or veneers. If you have visible dental work, Dr. Shelyan will plan with you at our Los Angeles office so your natural teeth and your restorations end up matching each other.

Fighting Gum Disease for Stronger Teeth in Los Angeles

Wed, 24 Oct 2018 09:00:00 GMT

Gums that bleed when you brush are easy to shrug off, and that is exactly why gum disease so often goes unnoticed until it has done real damage. At Forever Smile Dental Care in Los Angeles, Dr. Mehrshad Shelyan checks your gums carefully at every visit, because catching gum disease early lets us treat it gently and protect the teeth and bone it would otherwise wear away.

Understanding what gum disease is

Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is an infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research explains that it starts when bacterial plaque builds up along and below the gumline. In its early stage, called gingivitis, the gums become red, swollen and quick to bleed; left alone, it can progress to periodontitis, where the gums pull away from the teeth and the bone underneath begins to break down.

It is also far more common than most people think: according to the CDC , about 4 in 10 U.S. adults 30 and older had some level of periodontitis in a national survey.

Signs worth paying attention to

Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
Red, swollen or tender gums
Bad breath or a bad taste that will not go away
Gums that look like they are pulling back from your teeth
Teeth that feel loose or seem to be shifting

Early gum disease is often painless, so you can have it without noticing any of these signs. That is why a careful exam, including gentle measurements of the small spaces between your gums and teeth, is the most reliable way to know where you stand.

Knowing what raises your risk

Daily habits matter most, since plaque that stays on the teeth is what feeds the infection, but other factors play a part too, including smoking, crowded teeth that are hard to clean, stress, hormonal changes such as pregnancy, certain medications and health conditions like diabetes. If any of these apply to you, mention them at your next visit so we can watch your gums more closely.

Treating gum disease early and gently

When gum disease is caught early, treatment often begins with a non-surgical deep cleaning below the gumline that clears out bacteria and lets your gums heal and tighten around your teeth again, and we numb the area first so you stay comfortable. For more advanced cases, we add treatments such as localized antibiotic therapy or laser-assisted bacterial reduction, tailoring the plan to what your gums need.

Regular cleanings and checkups afterward help keep the infection from coming back, and good home care makes a real difference between visits.

Protecting more than your smile

Untreated gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss and gum recession, and research links it to other health concerns, including diabetes and heart disease. Treating it seriously and early helps you keep your natural teeth longer and supports your overall health, which is at the heart of the whole-person care we offer.

Questions about gum disease

Can gum disease be reversed?

Early gum disease, called gingivitis, can often be reversed with a professional cleaning and good daily brushing and flossing. More advanced gum disease can be managed to protect your teeth and the bone around them. At our Los Angeles office, Dr. Shelyan will tell you which stage you are in and what treatment fits.

Is bleeding when I floss a sign of gum disease?

It can be. Healthy gums usually do not bleed with gentle flossing, so regular bleeding is often an early sign of gum inflammation. If it keeps happening, come see us at our Los Angeles office so Dr. Shelyan can check your gums and catch any problem while it is still easy to treat.

Does a deep cleaning hurt?

Most patients find it very manageable. We numb the area before a deep cleaning, so you feel pressure instead of pain, and any tenderness afterward usually settles quickly. If you feel nervous about dental work, our Los Angeles team can talk with you about oral conscious sedation for extra comfort.

How often should I have my gums checked?

It depends on your gums. Patients with healthy gums usually do well with regular checkups and cleanings, while patients who have been treated for gum disease often need more frequent visits. Dr. Shelyan checks your gums at every exam at our Los Angeles office and recommends a schedule that fits you.

Rebuilding Jawbone After Tooth Loss in Los Angeles

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 09:00:00 GMT

Losing a tooth changes more than the gap you can see, and many people are surprised to learn that the bone underneath begins to change too. At Forever Smile Dental Care in Los Angeles, Dr. Mehrshad Shelyan helps patients understand what happens to the jaw after tooth loss and, when it is needed, rebuilds that foundation with bone grafting so a dental implant has something solid to hold onto.

Understanding why bone needs your teeth

Your teeth and jawbone support each other. Every time you bite and chew, the roots of your teeth send gentle pressure into the bone around them, and that everyday stimulation helps the bone keep its shape and strength. When a tooth is lost or removed, that area of bone no longer gets the signal it needs, and over time it begins to shrink.

The change is gradual and painless, so it is easy to miss, yet it can affect the teeth on either side of the gap, how your teeth fit together and, when several teeth are missing, even the shape of your face and lips.

Noticing the signs of bone loss

You may notice neighboring teeth drifting or tipping into the space, food catching in new places, a denture that feels looser than it used to, or a sunken look around the mouth when several teeth have been missing for a long time. Gum disease can also wear away the bone around teeth that are still in place, which is one more reason to treat it early.

Dr. Shelyan uses imaging and an exam to see how much healthy bone you have, so you know exactly where you stand before making any decisions.

Rebuilding the foundation with bone grafting

A bone graft places safe, carefully processed graft material where bone has thinned, giving your body a framework to grow new bone of its own, and over the following months that material is gradually replaced by your own bone to create a stronger base. Dr. Shelyan performs bone grafting in-house as part of implant care, so you are not sent to another office and one team knows your case from start to finish.

A graft can be placed right after a tooth is removed to preserve the bone, or later to rebuild an area that has already shrunk. We numb the area thoroughly and offer oral conscious sedation , and most patients describe only mild soreness that settles quickly.

Protecting the bone with a dental implant

A dental implant replaces the root of a missing tooth, so it gives the bone the stimulation it was missing and helps preserve it in a way a bridge or removable denture cannot. The ADA's MouthHealthy overview of implants describes how bone grows around an implant over several months. Once any grafted bone has matured, Dr. Shelyan places the implant and plans a natural-looking crown on top, and for patients missing many teeth, implant-supported dentures offer a secure fit that also supports the bone.

Acting sooner gives you more options

The sooner a missing tooth is replaced, the more bone you keep and the simpler treatment tends to be. If you have a gap you have been living with, or a tooth that may need to come out, a visit to talk through your options is a good first step.

Questions about bone loss and grafting

Does the jawbone always shrink after a tooth is lost?

Some bone loss is common after a tooth is lost, because that area no longer gets the pressure from chewing that keeps it strong. How much depends on how long the tooth has been missing and on your health. Dr. Shelyan uses imaging at our Los Angeles office to check your bone and explain your options.

Will I need a bone graft before getting an implant?

Not always. It depends on how much healthy bone you have where the implant will go. Dr. Shelyan uses imaging and an exam at our Los Angeles office to tell you whether grafting is part of your plan, and if it is, he performs it in-house as part of your implant care.

How long does a bone graft take to heal?

Grafted bone usually needs three to six months to mature before an implant can be placed, though every case is different. At our Los Angeles office, Dr. Shelyan will give you a timeline specific to your mouth and check your healing along the way, so you always know what to expect next.

Is bone grafting painful?

Most patients feel only mild soreness afterward that settles quickly. We numb the area thoroughly and offer oral conscious sedation at our Los Angeles office for extra comfort, and Dr. Shelyan explains each step beforehand so nothing about the procedure or your recovery comes as a surprise.

Overcoming Dental Anxiety in Los Angeles

Thu, 16 Aug 2018 09:00:00 GMT

If the thought of a dental chair makes your chest tighten, you are far from alone, and it is not a weakness or something you have to push through by yourself. At Forever Smile Dental Care in Los Angeles, Dr. Mehrshad Shelyan and our team care for nervous patients every week, and we build each visit around helping you feel calm, informed and in control, with oral conscious sedation available when you need more support.

Understanding where the fear comes from

Dental anxiety usually has a reason behind it, and naming that reason is often the first thing that makes it smaller. For some people it is a painful visit from years ago that their body still remembers; for others it is the sounds and smells of a dental office, a strong gag reflex, embarrassment about how long it has been since their last checkup, or the helpless feeling of lying back without knowing what comes next. The American Dental Association's MouthHealthy guide to dental anxiety describes the same patterns, and every one of them deserves to be taken seriously.

The hard part is that fear tends to keep people away, and staying away lets small problems grow into bigger ones that need more treatment, which makes the next visit feel even harder. Breaking that loop gently, one comfortable visit at a time, is what we care about most.

Starting with a conversation, not a procedure

Your first visit with us begins with talking, because trust comes from feeling heard. We ask what has been hard for you before, what helps you feel safe and what you would like us to know, and then Dr. Shelyan walks you through everything he sees in everyday language, showing you your own X-rays and photos on screen so you always understand what is happening and why.

We also build extra time into our schedule so you are never rushed, and you can ask us to pause at any point. Many of our patients tell us that simply knowing what comes next, and knowing they can stop whenever they need to, takes away most of the fear they walked in with.

A calm office from the moment you arrive

Our office on the third floor of the SAG-AFTRA building on Museum Row was designed to feel calm before you ever sit down, with soft music, a clean scent and no blaring news in the waiting area. You can fill out your new patient forms from your phone ahead of time, so you arrive with nothing to do but settle in.

Relaxing deeply with oral conscious sedation

For patients who need more than reassurance, Dr. Shelyan is licensed to provide oral conscious sedation , which most general dentists are not able to offer. You take a prescribed medication in pill form before treatment, with no needle and no IV, and it leaves you deeply relaxed while you can still respond to us; many patients remember little of the visit afterward.

Throughout your appointment Dr. Shelyan and our team monitor you closely, and we still numb the area so the treatment itself is comfortable. Because the medication stays with you for a while, you will need someone to drive you home. Sedation can also make it possible to combine several treatments into one longer visit, which many busy or anxious patients appreciate.

Taking the first small step

You do not have to be ready for a big treatment plan to come see us. Plenty of people start with a simple exam and a conversation, then move forward at their own pace. When you call (323) 634-9004 , let us know you feel nervous, and we will plan your visit around that from the very start.

Questions anxious patients ask us

Is it normal to feel anxious about going to the dentist?

Yes, it is very common, and it is nothing to be embarrassed about. Many of our patients in Los Angeles arrive nervous because of a painful past visit, a strong gag reflex or a long time away from the dentist. Telling us how you feel helps Dr. Shelyan plan a slower, more comfortable visit around you.

Will I be asleep with oral conscious sedation?

Not fully. Oral conscious sedation is a pill that leaves you deeply relaxed while you can still respond to Dr. Shelyan and our team. Many patients at our Los Angeles office remember little of the visit afterward. You will need someone to drive you home, because the medication keeps working for a while.

Can I stop treatment if I feel overwhelmed?

Yes. You can ask us to pause at any point, and Dr. Shelyan will stop, check in with you and continue only when you feel ready. At our Los Angeles office we build extra time into every appointment, so stopping for a breath or a question never rushes your care or cuts your visit short.

What should I tell the office when I call?

Simply tell us that you feel nervous and, if you are comfortable, what has been hard for you before. That lets our Los Angeles team schedule more time, explain each step as we go and talk with you about whether oral conscious sedation makes sense for your visit with Dr. Shelyan.

Healthy Gums for a Healthy Life in Los Angeles

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 09:00:00 GMT

Noticing that your teeth look a little longer than they used to, or that cold drinks suddenly make you wince, can be unsettling, and it is often the first sign that your gums are receding. At Forever Smile Dental Care in Los Angeles, Dr. Mehrshad Shelyan finds the cause of gum recession first and then treats it, often with Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation, a gentle technique that repositions gum tissue through a tiny opening without the cutting and stitches of traditional grafting.

Seeing your gums as part of your whole health

Healthy gums do more than frame your smile, because they seal and protect the roots of your teeth and the bone that holds them. The ADA's MouthHealthy guide to gum disease lists gums that pull away from the teeth among its warning signs, and research continues to link gum health with the health of the rest of the body, which is why we look at your gums as part of caring for you as a whole person.

Understanding why gums recede

Gum recession usually builds slowly, and it rarely has just one cause. Brushing too hard or with a stiff brush, grinding or clenching your teeth, gum disease, crooked teeth, tobacco use and the gum tissue you were born with can all play a part. Finding the reason matters, because treating recession without addressing what caused it leaves the door open for it to return.

Signs your gums may be receding

Teeth that look longer than they used to
Sensitivity to cold, heat or sweets near the gumline
A small notch you can feel where the tooth meets the gum
Darker or yellower areas near the gumline where root surface shows
New spaces opening between your teeth near the gums

Treating recession gently with Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation

For mild recession linked to gum inflammation, a deep cleaning and better home care may be enough to keep it from getting worse. When the gums have already pulled back, traditional grafting takes tissue from the roof of the mouth and stitches it in place, which many patients find uncomfortable to recover from.

Dr. Shelyan is trained in Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation , a minimally invasive technique that most general dentists do not offer. Working through a small pinhole, he gently loosens and repositions your own gum tissue to cover exposed roots, with no scalpel and no stitches, so most patients have less discomfort and a quicker recovery than with a traditional graft. Covering those roots also helps protect your teeth from sensitivity and further wear.

Keeping your gums healthy for years

A soft-bristled toothbrush used gently, daily flossing, a night guard if you grind, not smoking and regular checkups all help your gums stay where they belong. At every visit we look at your gums closely, so small changes can be caught and treated while they are still easy to manage.

Questions about receding gums

Can receding gums grow back on their own?

No. Gum tissue that has receded does not grow back by itself, though treating the cause can keep it from getting worse. At our Los Angeles office, Dr. Shelyan can cover exposed roots with Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation, which repositions your own gum tissue without cutting or stitches and protects the roots underneath.

Is Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation painful?

Most patients find it far more comfortable than a traditional gum graft, because there is no scalpel and no stitches. We numb the area first, and recovery is usually quicker and easier. Dr. Shelyan will explain exactly what your case involves and give you clear aftercare guidance at our Los Angeles office.

Why are my teeth suddenly sensitive near the gumline?

Sensitivity near the gumline often means the gums have pulled back and exposed part of the root, which has no enamel to protect it. Brushing too hard, grinding and gum disease are common causes. Dr. Shelyan can find the reason at our Los Angeles office and recommend the treatment that fits you best.

Does brushing too hard cause gum recession?

It can. Scrubbing hard or using a stiff brush can wear the gums back over time, especially along the outer surfaces of the teeth. A soft-bristled brush used with gentle, circular motions is kinder to your gums, and our Los Angeles team can show you a technique that cleans well without causing damage.