Can a Dazzling Smile Improve Your Professional and Social Success?

beautiful smileA beautiful smile can make a significant difference in your life. That’s why so many patients look for cosmetic help every year. With the care provided by an experienced cosmetic dentist, you can face the people in your life with an improved sense of confidence and wellbeing.

The most common cosmetic services are:

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic services available today. Depending on your needs and your level of sensitivity, your dentist may recommend an in-office whitening solution or a take-home option. Regardless of which you use, both will help you see amazing results.

Porcelain Veneers

Veneers are handcrafted from quality dental porcelain to produce results that look natural and beautiful. Once in place, veneers can help you create a smile that looks straighter and whiter without the need for teeth whitening or braces. A complete veneers procedure is typically completed in two or three visits.

Clear or Invisible Braces

For teens and adults who want a straighter smile but don’t want to wear traditional braces, clear braces can be an excellent alternative. They’re more discreet, allowing patients to maintain their mature and professional image while going through treatment.

Tooth-Colored Fillings

Tooth-colored fillings are used to help patients treat decay, which is among the most common oral health problems. Made from composite fillings, they will blend in with your smile for results that are seamless and durable.

Cosmetic Bonding

Cosmetic bonding is a simple procedure that, similar to porcelain veneers, will help you improve the appearance of a cracked, chipped, or stained tooth. Bonding is a single-visit procedure that takes just a few minutes to complete.

If you’re seeking cosmetic help, your dentist will complete a full oral health assessment before recommending a specific treatment plan. Some patients may need just a single service to achieve the results they want to achieve while others will benefit from a plan that includes multiple services.

Call your local cosmetic dentist to schedule a consultation appointment.

Holiday Teeth Whitening Advice

There are many reasons to smile this time of year. We have beautiful decorations, holiday gatherings with family and friends, delicious meals, savory desserts, and the joy of gift giving. But what will your family and friends see when you smile this holiday season? Over time, our teeth can discolor and stain because of foods and beverages like coffee, tea, and sodas. Your teeth can also yellow and stain from tobacco and alcohol use. However, they don’t have to stay that way. If you want your family and friends to see the dazzling white smile you had before discoloration and staining set in, make an appointment for professional teeth whitening today. You could brighten your smile this holiday season in just one hour with professional teeth whitening.

What About Teeth Whitening Toothpaste?

You may have already tried switching to a teeth whitening toothpaste. But whitening toothpaste is truly the least effective whitening option. Whitening toothpastes are made with mild abrasives that can only polish away shallow surface stains. They don’t contain the bleaching agents needed to truly alter the color of the enamel. It’s best to reserve whitening toothpaste to care for your teeth after you have used a more effective teeth whitening treatment.

Does Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening Really Work?

These products may include whitening kits, whitening gels, whitening strips, or whitening rinses. They are widely available and they make a lot of promises. Yet, it can take several weeks of daily use to get any significant results with these products. In the mean time you’ll have to avoid any coffee, tea, soda, or wine until you’re finished with the treatment. Additionally, any misstep in their application could result in irritation or infection in your teeth or gums. The time, inconvenience, and risk of misapplication make these products difficult to recommend.

Professional Teeth Whitening for the Holidays

The easiest and most reliable choice is to visit your dentist for professional teeth whitening. Your dentist can offer you a one visit treatment or an easy-to-use take-home option. The dentist uses powerful bleaching agents that can whiten your teeth several shades in just one-hour. But, unlike the over-the-counter treatments, the dentist can make sure that your teeth and gums are not irritated in the process. Moreover, bleaching agents may not be able to remove some forms of discoloration and deep staining. Your dentist will be able to recognize this and offer alternatives like dental bonding or veneers. Don’t make the mistake of using the wrong teeth whitening method.  Get the brighter and whiter smile you deserve this holiday season with a professional whitening treatment from your dentist.

Surprise Dad on Father’s Day with Cosmetic Dentistry!

shutterstock_156648317Father’s Day is right around the corner and everyone’s searching for the perfect way to show Dad how much he’s loved and appreciated. What better way to share your love and affection than giving your dad or husband the gift of a handsome, flashy new smile? Today’s cosmetic dentistry options make it easy to give dad a Father’s day present that’s as unique as he is.

Cosmetic Dental Treatments for Father’s Day

Studies have shown that men are substantially less likely to smile than women, and even when they do, many tend to feel insecure about the state of their teeth. Whether it’s crooked teeth, unsightly yellowing, or a combination of multiple cosmetic flaws, your dentist can help! Professional teeth whitening can transform a stained, dingy smile in as little as an hour or over the course of a couple weeks at home, depending on the type of treatment Dad prefers. Porcelain veneers effectively erase common problems like gaps between teeth, cracks or chips in enamel, and stains that are resistant to whitening treatments.

Of course, if Dad’s smile is just fine aesthetically but could use a thorough cleaning, why not treat him to the pleasure of that unparalleled “just-from-the-dentist” clean feeling we all love so much? However you choose to celebrate your father this year, he’ll be sure to thank you for thinking of such an unexpected and unique gift.

Give the Gift that Keeps on Giving

Father’s Day is the perfect time to give the special man in your life a real reason to smile: cosmetic dentistry services that suit his lifestyle. He’ll thank you for your thoughtfulness on his special day and every time he shows off his pearly whites all year round!

How Do You Maintain a Great Summertime Smile?

When you think of summer, you probably think of swimming pools, cookouts, and sunshine — but do you also think of your oral health? During the summer, there are actually things that you should keep in mind when it comes to your smile. 105863958Armed with some information, though, you can have a fun summer while maintaining beautiful and healthy teeth.

Did you know that swimming pools can have an effect on your teeth?

The chemicals in swimming pools can lead to discoloration of your smile if you’re exposed for long enough. Research has shown that people who spent more than 6 hours a week in swimming pools ended up with discolored front teeth. The reason is the higher pH level of the water, which beaks down proteins in saliva and leave a brownish stain on your teeth. If the pool’s pH balance isn’t properly cared for, the water can also soften enamel, leading to an increased risk of decay and damage. Luckily, trips to the dentist for regular cleanings and fluoride treatments can combat both of these problems!

Summertime Foods and Beverages…and Your Smile

During the summer, you’re probably going to attend a lot of parties, and with parties come a variety of beverages and snacks. Summertime drinks include soda, sports drinks, white wine, beer, and lemonade, and these drinks are loaded with sugar. A simple tip for counteracting the effects of these beverages, however, is to rinse your mouth with water regularly throughout the party. But don’t brush your teeth too soon after consuming acidic beverages. These drinks can soften enamel, and brushing while the enamel is soft can do more damage. Wait at least an hour before you brush!

Party foods can be dark in color and full of sugar as well. Dark foods contribute to stained teeth, and we all know what happens when you eat too much sugar! Cavities!  But by rinsing your mouth after eating these dark and sugary foods, you can avoid staining and cavities — and a trip to the dentist during your summer for teeth whitening and a checkup can give your smile a boost!

It’s pretty simple to keep your smile in shape during these summer months. Brushing, flossing, rinsing after food or drink, and regular trips to the dentist can help keep you looking and feeling your best. Now you just have to figure out how to stay cool!

Have You Considered a Smile Makeover for January?

teeth whitening smile makeoverJanuary is a time when many people are thinking about fresh starts and life improvements. If that sounds like something you’re doing, have you considered a smile makeover from your dentist?

A smile makeover can help you add an extra sparkle to your smile, which, in turn, can help you improve the different relationships in your life, whether romantic, social, or on a professional. What’s more, studies have shown that patients with whiter, straighter smiles are perceived by others as more confident, attractive, and successful.

So with all this in mind, why not talk to your dentist about a smile makeover for January?

Continue reading Have You Considered a Smile Makeover for January?

The History of Teeth Whitening

whiteningRemember when people rode around in horse-drawn buggies and went to the barber for their teeth whitening needs? No? Yes, indeed, the barber once did your hair and your dental care. Sounds pretty convenient, right? Well, once you find out how it was done, you’ll be glad you go to the dentist for teeth whitening.

The Quest for Whiter Teeth Begins

The ancient Egyptians were known for their beautification techniques, and they certainly sought after whiter teeth. Around 4,000 years ago, they used a paste of wine vinegar and ground pumice stone to whiten their teeth. The mixture was brushed on with frayed sticks (yes, like very small tree branches). The whiter your teeth, the wealthier people thought you were. Continue reading The History of Teeth Whitening

Five Reasons Why It’s Worthwhile to Smile

smilesNineteenth century novelist George Eliot once said, “Wear a smile and have friends; wear a scowl and have wrinkles.”

Yet smiling is more than just a way to convince your mother that you really did enjoy that meatloaf surprise. Even the smallest upward lip curve—whether or not it’s sincerely delivered—has far-reaching emotional and physical benefits.

Here are five advantages of turning that frown upside down:

1. Studies have shown that smiling lowers blood pressure. If you need some instant Zen, then all you have to do is smile. Chanting is optional (especially if you’re standing in line at the grocery store). Continue reading Five Reasons Why It’s Worthwhile to Smile

Cosmetic Dentistry Can Improve Professional and Social Success

rich coupleEveryone loves a gorgeous smile. Bright, straight teeth make a person look young and vibrant. One study by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry shows that an attractive smile will make you appear more intelligent, successful, and friendly. Men and women of all ages, as well as teenagers, can choose from non- or minimally-invasive cosmetic dentistry procedures to quickly achieve a sensational smile. Here’s a rundown on some of the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures. Continue reading Cosmetic Dentistry Can Improve Professional and Social Success

Manly and Macho are No Longer Synonymous

shutterstock_44328154The Academy of General Dentistry reports that for many years, men have been “less likely to visit the dentist” than women because they don’t see a need, they feel afraid or embarrassed, or they simply won’t make time. This has been the status quo for a while now, but times are changing. These days, dentists are treating more and more men with – oddly enough – cosmetic procedures, like teeth whitening, veneers, and composite bonding.Why would men want a nicer smile? It’s all about the money, baby.

One private company’s study reveals that after teeth whitening, people are more likely to land a job – and a at a higher rate of pay. Another poll by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry tells us that people with an attractive smile are considered more friendly, intelligent, and successful than others. In this economy, you can’t afford not to invest in your image, whether you’re a man or a woman.

So if you’d like a brighter, straighter, more attractive smile, talk with your dentist about cosmetic dentistry. Today’s procedures begin at moderate prices, and for more complex smile makeovers, financing is available.