what’s in your garage?

health Q&A

Q: Do whitening products

Photo by Aric Bishop

really make my teeth whiter?
A: Whitening products are advertised everywhere. A very common
question I’m asked is “Do they really work?” Let’s take a look at a few
common whitening products.
Whitening toothpastes, for example, don’t necessarily “whiten” your
teeth. They are designed to be highly abrasive in order to remove surface
stains on your teeth while you brush. They don’t actually change the
overall color of your teeth. However, the abrasiveness of these tooth-
pastes can cause side effects such as increased tooth sensitivity, increased
tooth wear (especially in patients with exposed roots), and damage to
any dental work you have had completed.
Other whitening products, such as white strips that can be purchased
over the counter, work through a chemical reaction that occurs while in
Stephanie Audas and her 2006 Chevy Equinox. contact with your teeth. They can lighten your teeth slightly over time,
but they also have limitations. The strength of the bleaching agent used in
white strips is less than what is used by dental professionals, causing them

Chevy family to be less effective. It can also be difficult to keep the strips in contact
with the desired surface areas, especially if you have teeth that are not in
alignment. Additionally, if you have had dental work done previously, the
treated areas will remain the same color.
Because some people may not be candidates for whitening, any
Stephanie Audas trusts her roomy Equinox attempts at bleaching should be done under the direction of a dentist. If
you have questions, contact us at 963-3339. AL
By Aric Bishop Information provided by Dr. Erika Peddicord, Peddicord Family Dentistry, 121
aving strong family values plus two huge suitcases. We were N.E. 18th St., Suite C, 963-3339.

H and beliefs is important. packed tight in there.”

Sometimes these passion- With all that space and fond
ate feelings contribute to a particu- memories, it is difficult to picture
lar brand of vehicle becoming the Audas in a different car. But as she
“family brand of vehicle.” says, she used to own a real piece.
Stephanie Audas drives a 2006 “The vehicle I had before was
Chevy Equinox and she says Chevy a 1998 Oldsmobile Alero,” Audas
is a brand her parents have come said. “It was red with two doors. I
to trust. hated it, because it had rear wheel
“My parents have always drive and would get stuck almost
driven Chevys, so I’ve become a anywhere I drove it.” Providing
dental
Chevy fan, too” Audas says. “Even Audas knew what the perfect
though we’re a Chevy family, as fit was for her, and she chose to
long as it runs and gets from point get the 2006 Chevy Equinox.
A to point B, it doesn’t matter
what brand I drive.”
“I decided to get the Equinox,
because I was wanting at least a care for
all ages!
Car owners sometimes get four door vehicle,” Audas said.
a car on a whim, knowing that “I have always wanted a compact
the brand is good. But sometimes SUV. Plus, I got it for a good
the car holds potential the owner price.”
never thought possible. In Audas’ Audas’ family is one built on Our focus is on prevention.
case, her car has left her with driving Chevy, and they all seem to We believe that foreseeing
memorable experiences. have one of their own.
“I actually just got the car not “My dad has a 1999 Chevy potential problems, identifying
too long ago, so I haven’t been pickup, my mom has a 2010 Chevy them in the early stages and
too far with it outside of school Equinox and my sister has my old taking appropriate action will
and work,” Audas says. “However, car, the Oldsmobile Alero. We
my vehicle can fit up to five people also have a 1999 Chevy Suburban,” help our patients lead a more
comfortably, and at one point I she laughs. “I guess we’re a Chevy comfortable and happy life.
was able to get eight people in it, family. AL
Contact Jared at 953-4822 ext. 306 or jared@dmcityview.com to recom- 1(WK$YH‡6WH&‡$QNHQ\
mend someone for an upcoming issue of “What’s In Your Garage?” ‡ZZZDQNHQ\IDPLO\GHQWLVWFRP
www.iowalivingmagazines.com/ankeny MARCH | 2011 Ankeny Living 29