Dear Patients and Parents,

We are thrilled to announce the immediate availability of our secure telehealth video service! We now offer fully HIPAA-compliant video conferencing for our patients and friends that is:

Our new video chat service is completely safe and secure, fully protects the privacy of the patient, and works on Android and iOS, on PCs and Macs! The software is fully vetted and tested so that our patients and friends can rest assured that their protected health information will remain private and secure. All you need to have is a computer, tablet or smartphone with Web Cam and audio capabilities and a good internet connection! We are now scheduling appointments for new and established patients to video chat directly with the dentist to review your existing treatment plans and/or answer any of your dental need questions. Patients may schedule video chat appointments by calling our office and speaking with our staff available during business hours Monday through Friday.

Sincerely,
W. Roger Long, DDS, PA
Bethany T. Wierzbicki, DMD, MBA

Call Us: (772) 464-2943 1511 S. 25th St. Fort Pierce, Florida 34947

We speak Spanish and French in our office

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Does Activated Charcoal Whiten Your Teeth? All You Need to Know

Ft Pierce Dentist Explains Risks of Activated Charcoal

Every year, new and old at-home “whitening techniques” surface, causing a roar on social media. Among them, charcoal toothpaste has remained a go-to solution for some time, even when every Ft. Pierce dentist advises against it.

Charcoal toothpaste is not as effective at whitening your teeth as some claim, and here we’ll explore the reason why.

Ft Pierce Dentist Explains Safe Whitening Methods

What Is Activated Charcoal and How Does It Whiten Teeth?

To begin, let us define activated charcoal. Often referred to as the “universal antidote,” this fine, black powder is derived from a number of materials, such as sawdust, peat, bone char, coal, and others. It is then heated to decrease its surface area, which “activates” it.

Because it can trap different toxins and stop your body from absorbing them, it has long been used as a remedy for poisons. The most popular claim about teeth whitening is that it can help remove stains from smoking, coffee, wine, and other beverages that can discolor teeth and absorb plaque.

So, Is It Really Effective?

The American Dental Association conducted a literature review in 2017 and found no conclusive proof that charcoal or dentifrices containing charcoal are effective at whitening teeth. This suggests that many toothpastes that contain activated charcoal may not be as effective as they claim to be.

Even worse, the abrasive properties of activated charcoal can gradually erode enamel. When that fine powder is used frequently, it can wear down the outermost layer of your teeth, making them more susceptible to cavities and exposing the dentin, the softer, more yellow layer beneath your teeth.

For that reason, most dentists won’t whiten their teeth with charcoal.

Woman with Tooth Pain After Using Charcoal Against Her Ft Pierce Dentist Indications

Find Effective Whitening Methods with a Ft. Pierce Dentist

Activated charcoal has become a very popular method for achieving a whiter smile, but there is no solid proof that this method works. To make matters worse, it can damage teeth and make them look whiter over time.

If you’re looking for an effective method for whitening your teeth, Smooth Sailing Dental can help. Contact us today for a professional assessment!

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Coronavirus Announcement

Dear Patients and Parents,

We are thrilled to announce the immediate availability of our secure telehealth video service! We now offer fully HIPAA-compliant video conferencing for our patients and friends that is:

Sincerely,
W. Roger Long, DDS, PA
Bethany T. Wierzbicki, DMD, MBA

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Dr. W. Roger Long, DDS has been proudly serving the Treasure Coast for over 25 years. We welcome new patients to our practice located in beautiful and historic Fort Pierce.