Get Dental Veneers and Improve Your Smile Before the Holidays Arrive

You can use dental veneers to improve your smile before the holidays.  If you have been dreaming of having a beautiful smile and were considering a cosmetic dentistry procedure, schedule an appointment with our dental office. We can examine your teeth, discuss your smile goals, and provide you with solutions for transforming your smile before the holiday pictures are taken.

The first thing that we will do is clean your teeth.  When teeth are clean and healthy, they look better in general. This will also allow us to determine if you have any oral health issues that need to be dealt with prior to performing a cosmetic dentistry procedure.  If you do, we can provide treatment right away so that you can move on to transforming your smile. 

Dental veneers are an excellent way to do so because of how versatile they are.  Veneers can be used to close gaps in your teeth, cover dark stains, restore teeth that have been chipped or damaged, and even straighten a tooth that is mildly crooked.  The options are so vast that even Hollywood stars use them to improve their smiles.  During your consultation, let us know what you don’t like about your teeth so that we can determine what the best course of treatment is. 

When you schedule an appointment to get veneers, it will take a couple of weeks to complete the process, so it is important to get started quickly.  On your first appointment, we will take an impression of your teeth that can be sent to a dental lab.  The lab technicians will use the impression to create dental veneers that are the perfect size and shape for your existing teeth.  

Simultaneously, we will prepare your teeth by removing a small portion of the enamel that is on the surface.  This way the veneers will lay flat onto the surface of your teeth without making them look large or out of place.  In order to protect the prepared teeth, you will need to wear temporary veneers that are attached using removable water-based glue.  Since they are designed to come off, you need to be careful not to eat any foods that could pop them off or brush too aggressively. 

When the dental lab has finished, you will come back for a follow-up appointment so that we can bond the permanent veneers to your teeth.  This can be done in a couple of hours and afterwards your teeth will look amazing. Keep in mind that your teeth may be sensitive for a couple of days after the procedure so it is important to time everything correctly.  After a few days, you will feel as good as new, and your smile will look amazing.  You can eat all of your favorite foods while wearing veneers so enjoying a holiday treat won’t be a problem.  As an added benefit, they don’t stain like normal teeth do so enjoying an occasional glass of wine won’t impact the color of your new and beautiful smile.  To get started, call and schedule an appointment today. 

Tips From The Family Dentist For Brushing Your Teeth the Right Way

When you visit our family dentist office, we can demonstrate how to properly clean your teeth.  There are many misconceptions when it comes to teeth brushing, leading many people to do it wrong. Unfortunately, if you don’t brush properly your teeth won’t get as clean as they need to, and you can end up irritating your gums. 

Here is the truth about teeth brushing and what you need to know:

• The two-minute myth.  Most of us were told that you have to brush your teeth for two-minutes at a time, and if you do, they will get perfectly clean.  While two-minutes is a good timeframe to shoot for, it’s more important to brush correctly than to brush for a certain period of time.  You need to brush for as long as it takes for your teeth to feel perfectly clean.
• Hard is not best.  Many people use a hard toothbrush because they think it will give the best clean.  As a family dentist, we actually recommend that patients switch to a soft one.  A hard toothbrush can strip the enamel off of your teeth, creating tooth sensitivity.  They can also cause your gums to become irritated and even bleed.  A soft toothbrush can give you as good of a clean but without the irritation or complications. 
• Use a circular motion.  When brushing your teeth, move your toothbrush in a circular pattern instead of brushing back to front. This will help you to remove more bacteria and plaque without irritating your gums. 
• Buy a new one.  This is extremely important.  Don’t use your toothbrush for more than three months.  If you do, the bristles will start to split, and you won’t be cleaning your teeth as well. Bacteria can also form on your toothbrush so by using the same one you could be putting germs on your teeth. We will give you a new toothbrush during your teeth cleanings as well. 
• Pick the right toothpaste.  Your toothpaste should be approved by the American Dental Association and contain fluoride.  This way your paste will both clean and strengthen your teeth. 
• Floss daily.  Don’t forget to floss while you are brushing your teeth.  Flossing is important for keeping your teeth and gums clean and healthy.  Do so at least daily. 
• Frequency matters.  Brush your teeth a minimum of twice a day and after every meal if possible.  This way sugar and bacteria cannot remain on your teeth for a prolonged period of time, and your risk of cavities will be reduced. 

As a family dentist, we help our patients to stay in optimal oral health and one way to do so is by demonstrating how to brush and floss teeth.  If you have any questions, we can answer them during your next teeth cleaning.  We also recommend having your teeth cleaned twice a year so that we can remove the bacteria and plaque that you were unable to reach.  By doing this frequently, we can reduce your risk of getting an infection.