5 Ways Your Cosmetic Dentist Can Improve Your Smile

  

Are you covering your smile because you are embarrassed by your yellow and stained teeth?  How about a chipped front tooth that you are self-conscious of when you smile?   Dr. Anna Lee says, "from minor changes to major repairs, the cosmetic dentist can perform a variety of dental procedures to improve your smile." Some of the common procedures are discussed:

Over-The-Counter Teeth Whitening

Whitening products can be purchased at the drug stores and on-line. The American Dental Association cautions patients to use accepted whitening products under professional supervision for safety.

·      Whitening Strips-They are clear strips that adhere onto the teeth (6 upper and 6 lower front teeth) for about 30 minutes at a time, twice a day for one to two weeks.

·      Brush-On Whitening-Whitening products are painted directly onto the teeth with a small brush and sometimes can be left on overnight.

·      Whitening Gum-May requires chewing up to eight pieces of gum a day to see results.

Professional Teeth Whitening

                                         

·      In-Office Teeth (Chair Side) Whitening is performed in the dental office for about 60-90 minutes. Prior to the procedure, an informed consent discussion form is reviewed and signed.  The discussion includes patient’s diagnosis, proposed treatment, risks & benefits, pre-existing condition/shade of teeth, and patient’s expectations prior to treatment.

There are many tooth whitening products available to dentists.  These products contain hydrogen peroxide in concentrations ranging from 10 percent to 40 percent.  They are sometimes used with a light which is supposed to accelerate the whitening process.

·       

Take-Home Whitening involves the loading of whitening gel into the custom fitted bleaching trays for the upper & lower teeth. Depending on the varying concentrations of the bleaching ingredients, the treatment can be completed in one to two weeks.

5 Ways Your Cosmetic Dentist Can Improve Your Smile

Are you covering your smile because you are embarrassed by your yellow and stained teeth?  How about a chipped front tooth that you are self-conscious of when you smile?  From minor changes to major repairs, the cosmetic dentist can perform a variety of dental procedures to improve your smile. Some of the common procedures are discussed:

                                                                Bleaching

Professional Teeth Whitening In-Office Teeth (Chair Side) Whitening is performed in the dental office for about 60-90 minutes. Prior to the procedure, an informed consent discussion form is reviewed and signed.  The discussion includes patient’s diagnosis, proposed treatment, risks & benefits, pre-existing condition/shade of teeth, and patient’s expectations prior to treatment.

There are many tooth whitening products available to dentists.  These products contain hydrogen peroxide in concentrations ranging from 10 percent to 40 percent.  They are sometimes used with a light which is supposed to accelerate the whitening process.

Take-Home Whitening involves the loading of whitening gel into the custom fitted bleaching trays for the upper & lower teeth. Depending on the varying concentrations of the bleaching ingredients, the treatment can be completed in one to two weeks.

What Is The Right Type Of Mouthwash?

There are 2 types of mouth rinses: cosmetic and therapeutic

Cosmetic mouth rinses reduce bad breath, but they do not kill the bacterial that cause bad breath.  Cosmetic mouth rinses do not prevent gingivitis and tooth decay.

Therapeutic mouth rinses can help reduce plaque, gingivitis, tooth decay and bad breath.

Therapeutic mouth rinses contain agents that fight bad breath bacteria and inactivate odor causing compounds. There are some therapeutic mouth rinses that contain fluoride that prevents or reduces tooth decay. 

The ADA recommends mouth rinses that display the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

Patients ask about the difference between “anti-gingivitis” and “anti-plaque” mouth rinses. These mouth rinses basically do the same thing; they reduce bacterial count and inhibit bacterial activity that can cause periodontal problems.

Many patients ask this common question, “What kind of mouth rinse is the best?”

Depending on the oral health needs, the dentist may recommend using a mouth rinse with fluoride for protection against tooth decay.   Anti-microbial mouth rinses may be recommended as part of the daily oral hygiene routine to prevent periodontal disease.

For more information contact Dr. Anna Lee & her team today. 

Mouth rinses

Mouth rinses are used for different reasons:

 

Mouth rinses have several positive purposes to enhance your smile. Dr. Anna Lee recommends, "patients use mouth rinse to help enhance the health of your smile. Not only does mouth rinse help keep your breath fresh, it can also prevent or control tooth decay. Rinsing 2x a day reducing plaque, prevents and reducing gingivitis and reduce the amount of tartar that forms on tooth surface. 

For more information on types of mouth rinse you should use, contact Dr. Anna Lee & her team today.
       

Children Flossing

                                                                        

Dental flossing is important for young children.  Flossing once a day may begin as soon as two teeth emerge that touch. "The use of floss sticks instead of string floss may be easier for both the child and parent/child care provider," suggests Dr. Anna Lee.

Step by Step to show proper flossing techniques:

·      Break off about 18 inches of floss, and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers.

·      Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the other hand. 

·      Hold the floss tightly between your two hands, with about an inch of floss between them.  Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle sawing motion.

·      When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C-shape against the tooth.  Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth until you feel resistance.

·      Hold the floss against the tooth.  Gently scrape the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum.

Repeat this technique on all of your teeth, including the teeth in back.