Kathy Bates Plays It Smart With Professional Teeth Whitening

Academy Award-winning actress Kathy Bates knows how important it is to present your best face to the world — and one of the most important features of that face is a beaming smile. But there came a point when she noticed something was a little off. “I've always had good teeth, but it seemed to me as I was getting older that they weren't looking as good,” Kathy explained in a recent interview with Dear Doctor magazine.

That's when she decided it was time to take action. Kathy had orthodontic treatment when she was in her fifties, and she keeps her smile bright with tooth whitening treatments. She uses a kit provided by her dentist with a safe, effective whitening solution.

Of course, a bright, healthy smile looks great anywhere — whether you're on the red carpet or “off the grid.” And you don't have to be a Hollywood star to have professional whitening treatments. In fact, teeth whitening is one of the most popular and affordable cosmetic treatments modern dentistry offers.

The basic options for professional teeth whitening include in-office bleaching or take-home kits. Both types of dentist-supervised treatments offer a safe and effective means of getting a brighter smile; the main difference is how long they take to produce results. A single one-hour treatment in the office can make your teeth up to ten shades lighter — a big difference! To get that same lightening with at-home trays, it would take several days. On the plus side, the take-home kit is less expensive, and can achieve the same results in a bit more time.

It's important to note that not all teeth can be whitened with these treatments. Some teeth have intrinsic (internal) stains that aren't affected by external agents like bleaches. Also, teeth that have been restored (with bonding or veneers, for example) generally won't change color. And you can't necessarily whiten your teeth to any degree: Every tooth has a maximum whiteness, and adding more bleach won't lighten it beyond that level. Most people, however, find that teeth whitening treatments produce noticeable and pleasing results.

What about those off-the-shelf kits or in-the-mall kiosks? They might work… or they might not. But one thing's for sure: Without a dentist's supervision, you're on your own. That's the main reason why you should go with a pro if you're considering teeth whitening. We not only ensure that your treatment is safe — we can also give you a realistic idea of what results to expect, and we will make sure that other dental problems aren't keeping you from having a great-looking smile.

How often does Kathy Bates see her dentist for a checkup and cleaning? “I go about every four months,” she noted. “I'm pretty careful about it.” And if you've seen her smile, you can tell that it pays off. If you would like more information about teeth whitening, please contact Dr. Cindy Sumarauw at 801-281-3500 to schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can learn more in the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Important Teeth Whitening Questions Answered” and “Teeth Whitening.”

The AGD Mastership Award Recognizes Your Dentist's Commitment to High-Quality Care

No one ever said it was easy to become a dentist. After earning an undergraduate degree in science, prospective dentists must successfully complete four years in the rigorous environment of an accredited dental school. After that, every dentist must pass a state-administered exam before being licensed to practice in that state.  At that point, you might think the dental educational process is over. But it isn't.

State regulations generally require dentists to complete a certain number of continuing-education credits every year, in order to maintain their licenses. It's a way of ensuring that dentists stay current with the latest innovations in their field, and provide their patients with good-quality care. But some dedicated practitioners take it even further.

Dentists who join the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) — a professional organization founded in 1952, which currently has about 37,000 members — must live up to a stricter standard. AGD members are committed to taking at least 75 hours of continuing education courses every three years. According to surveys, however, most members average more than 40 hours every year: That's a full work-week dedicated to education.

When a dentist has been a member of the AGD for three years, completed 500 hours of continuing education, and passed a comprehensive examination, he or she can become a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry. This honorary designation is a way of recognizing a dentist's commitment to providing excellence in patient care. To date, about 11,000 members of the AGD have become Fellows.

There's one more step in the pyramid: Mastership. To attain this designation, after becoming a Fellow, a dentist must complete an additional 600 hours of continuing education, including 400 hours of "hands-on" training. Needless to say, this denotes an extremely high level of dedication. A dentist who receives this honor has devoted a significant amount of time to his or her profession, and is up to date on the most current standards of care. About 1,000 AGD members have achieved Mastership thus far.

We're pleased to let our patients know that Dr. Cindy Sumarauw was recently recognized as a Master by the Academy of General Dentistry. The Mastership Award symbolizes Dr. Sumarauw's commitment to remain at the forefront of dental science.  And it's one more way of showing her dedication to providing excellent dental care for her patients. If you have questions or concerns about your dental health, please contact Dr. Cindy Sumarauw at 801-281-3500 to schedule an appointment for a consultation.