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In Search of the Perfect Smile

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It’s pretty safe to say that everyone would enjoy having a healthy, perfect-looking smile. While very few smiles can truly be called “perfect,” it’s still possible for just about anyone to enjoy having a nice smile thanks to your own good oral hygiene habits.

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day, every day. When it comes to a nice smile, nothing pays bigger dividends than regular brushing.

• Floss at least once a day. Flossing removes food particles that can lead to bacteria forming in your mouth. That bacteria can lead to tooth decay or gum disease.

• Visit your dentist at least twice a year for professional cleanings. No matter how diligent you are about your own oral hygiene habits, you still need to have a dental professional clean your teeth twice a year to remove plaque and buildup that you aren’t able to remove yourself.

• Limit your intake of food that stains teeth, such as coffee, tea or red wine.

• Choose effective whitening products. Whitening toothpastes and mouth rinses help to maintain a certain level of whiteness or combat staining caused by some foods, but whitening strips and trays are more effective in really changing the color of your teeth. Alternatively, your dentist can create custom-made dental trays and provide a strong whitening solution, which is the most effective method of all.

Even if you suffer from severely stained, crooked, broken or chipped teeth, you can still have a perfect-looking smile thanks to modern dental techniques. Talk to your dentist about possible remedies to these dental problems and other ways to improve your smile.

Source: http://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/improve-smile

What You Need to Know About Zoom Whitening

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One of the fastest and most effective ways to whiten your teeth is an in-office dental procedure called Zoom whitening.

In this popular procedure, a lamp is used on the patient’s teeth, along with a 25% hydrogen peroxide whitening solution. The process involves covering exposed lips and gums, then applying the whitening solution followed by 15 minutes under the Zoom Advanced Power Chairside Lamp.

This first 15-minute session is repeated two more times, so the total procedure takes under one hour.

While there’s no doubt that the Zoom process is effective, it’s not for everyone. If you have sensitive teeth, your dentist may suggest some other form of whitening. It’s also not recommended for children or women who are pregnant.

If you and your dentist determine that you are a good candidate for the Zoom procedure, your dentist will probably recommend that you have your teeth professionally cleaned before the procedure. It’s important to know that whitening agents won’t alter the color of veneers, crowns, and other dental work.

After your in-office procedure, your dentist will send you home with custom-fitted dental trays and additional whitening solution so you can periodically whiten your own teeth at home.

Keep in mind that some foods – such as coffee, tea, red wine and tobacco – can definitely stain your teeth. So your dentist may recommend that you reduce or eliminate such foods from your regular routine to maintain a cleaner, brighter smile. Some whitening toothpastes can also help to keep your teeth as white as possible after the Zoom procedure.

 

Source: http://www.yourdentistryguide.com/zoom-whitening/

Modern Fillings Are Nearly Invisible

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Not too many years ago, getting a filling in a tooth meant living with a silver-colored amalgam material in the tooth for years afterward. These fillings, although durable for the most part, were very visible. Over the past few years, however, dental professionals have begun using tooth-colored composite material for fillings. This type of material gained popularity quickly among dental patients for obvious reasons – imagine a filling that was nearly invisible!

Although tooth-colored composite material was much more attractive than the old amalgam fillings, it did have one drawback: In order to harden a composite filling, it had to be exposed to light, and this process was often very time-consuming and uncomfortable for the patient. Recently, however, a new material was developed that could change all that.

Researchers at the Vienna University of Technology, working in conjunction with the company Ivoclar Vivadent, have developed a new Germanium-based photoactive material that hardens much more quickly than previous composite materials. The advantages for dental patients are obvious. Now, not only can you enjoy the benefits of nearly invisible fillings, but the procedure involved will take much less time than it did when other composite materials were used.

If you’re wondering what filling material would be best for you or your child, ask your dentist for his or her recommendation. Your dental professional can explain the benefits and drawbacks of different types of filling materials and what might work best for you and your family.

Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140430121110.htm

A Delicious Way to Whiten Your Teeth

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Most of us have heard that some foods and drinks can stain teeth. But did you know that just the opposite is true as well? Some foods can actually help to make your teeth whiter. The trick is, of course, to incorporate these foods into your diet on a regular basis. Just look at some of the delicious alternatives to over-the-counter teeth-whitening products:

• Carrots – The keratin in carrots helps strengthen tooth enamel. But it’s not just carrots that help to make your teeth whiter. As it turns out, eating any crunchy veggie will help brighten your smile.

• Broccoli – Most of us know that broccoli is packed full of vitamins and fiber. But it’s also high in iron, which can help to protect your teeth from high-acid foods that may be hard on enamel.

• Pineapple – This delicious fruit contains an enzyme called bromelain, which helps remove stains from your teeth.

• Poppy and sesame seeds – Each of these seeds is slightly different in shape, and they both act as tiny teeth scrubbers if eaten often enough. They’re also high in calcium, which also benefits oral health.

• Vegetable and fruits that have a high water content – Produce choices such as cucumbers, pears, apples and cauliflower help to produce saliva in your mouth. And saliva is very effective at washing away harmful bacteria.

• Shiitake mushrooms – Not only are these tasty little mushrooms a great addition to many dishes, they also contain lentinan, a component that helps stop bacteria from growing inside your mouth.

It’s a great idea to add these foods to your diet whenever you can. But, of course, nothing takes the place of good oral hygiene and regular trips to your dentist.

 

 

Source: http://www.everydayhealth.com/dental-health-pictures/eat-your-way-to-whiter-teeth-with-these-foods

Teeth Whitening Methods

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Over the past few years, teeth whitening has become increasingly popular among dental patients of all ages. This is especially true since over-the-counter whitening products have become available at affordable prices. If you decide to whiten your teeth, there are several products to choose from:

• Over-the-counter tray-based products: Tray-based products were among the first over-the-counter teeth whitening methods. These products come with a tray designed to fit anyone’s mouth and a whitening gel. Most will require that you spend at least two hours a day for several weeks before you see results.

• Whitening strips: This popular method for whitening your teeth requires that you apply strips twice a day, usually for a 14-day period.

• Whitening gels: There are several brands of gels available over-the-counter. These are products that you simply apply directly on your teeth. Just as is the case with strips, you’ll usually need to apply the gel twice a day for two weeks to see maximum results.

• Professional whitening: Without a doubt, the most effective way to whiten your teeth is with products that are available only through your dentist. He or she can talk to you about which type of product is best for you. You can choose to either have your teeth whitened in your dentist’s office or to have impressions of your teeth made that are used to create custom-made trays you can take home. If you choose the latter option, your dentist will provide a whitening agent that you can use with your trays at home any time you’d like.

Resource: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/teeth-whitening

Whitening Your Teeth

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With the availability of over-the-counter teeth-whitening products, more and more people are taking measures to make their smiles brighter. A variety of different types of products are available in your local drug store, all designed to help whiten your teeth: toothpastes, mouth rinses, whitening gels and strips. Toothpastes and mouth rinses generally take longer to work, but the OTC whitening strips and gels can be effective if you use them repeatedly over a long period of time.

Professional Teeth Whitening Options

 

If your teeth are seriously stained, or if you want to see results in a hurry, talk to your dentist about the following professional whitening options:

• The first is a strong hydrogen peroxide solution combined with custom trays that you can use yourself at home. You’ll need to visit your dentist to have forms of your teeth made, which are then sent to a dental lab where your custom trays are created. After that, you’ll be asked to return to your dentist’s office to pick up the trays and the bleaching solution. Once you’re back home, you can use the whitening solution and trays yourself – anywhere from a few hours at a time to overnight – until you achieve the level of whitening you’re looking for.

• The second type of professional whitening treatment that your dentist can offer involves a whitening solution used in combination with heat, a laser or a special light. This is typically the most expensive option, but also produces the fastest, most obvious results.

 

There are two things to remember when it comes to whitening your teeth:

• Only your natural teeth can be whitened, so crowns and other dental work won’t be affected.

• Whitening is considered to be cosmetic dentistry, so most insurance companies won’t cover the cost.

 

 

Source: WebMD, http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/teeth-whitening

The Advantages of Dental Veneers

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gumsA dental veneer refers to a thin layer of ceramic or porcelain material that completely covers a tooth. Veneers are a great choice if you want to close up spaces between your teeth, repair a broken tooth, make crooked teeth appear straight or stained teeth look whiter.

The process involved in getting a dental veneer is relatively simple and quick. First, your dentist will remove approximately 0.3 to 1.2 millimeters of enamel from the tooth’s surface. He’ll then create an impression of the tooth. Dental lab technicians will then make a veneer for the tooth based on the impression, and your dentist will apply the veneer using an adhesive and a light beam to quicken the hardening process.

There are several advantages of dental veneers:

• Dental veneers look just like your natural teeth. Because the veneer is made from an impression, the shape matches your original tooth. Lab technicians also make sure that the shade of the veneer is as close as possible to the rest of your teeth.
• Veneers are usually less expensive than other alternatives, such as crowns.
• Dental veneers will typically last for many years.
• Veneers are easy to maintain. You simply use the same oral hygiene techniques that you would for your normal teeth – namely, brushing and flossing twice a day and visiting your dentist on a regular basis for professional cleanings and checkups.

Ask your dentist for more information about dental veneers. He or she can help you decide whether or not you’re a good candidate for this innovative solution to many dental problems.

Source: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/america-asks-12/cosmetic-dentistry

Smile 0412090838A (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nakrnsm/3436064317/) / http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)

Zoom! Teeth Whitening Patient’s Guide

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smileAchieving a whiter, brighter smile just got easier with the Zoom Teeth Whitening procedure. This in-office tooth whitening treatment is designed to gently remove stains and discoloration that occur on the teeth’s enamel or dentin.

The Zoom Teeth Whitening procedure is commonly used to remove the following types of discolorations and stains:

  • • Coffee and Tea Stains
  • • Red Wine Stains
  • • Tobacco Stains from Smoking
  • • Discoloration caused by the Aging Process

A onetime office visit is required for the Zoom Teeth Whitening procedure. The procedure begins with the placing of a hydrogen peroxide gel on the teeth. After placing the gel on the teeth, a Zoom Advanced Power Chairside Lamp is placed directly onto the teeth for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, the gel is reapplied and the process continues two more times.

Before you sign up for the Zoom Teeth Whitening procedure, your dentist will require that you attend an in-office consultation. This consultation is required and helps the dentist determine if you are a good candidate for this type of teeth whitening procedure.

The consultation typically includes:

  • • An examination of the teeth and gums
  • • Several questions regarding oral hygiene routines, lifestyle habits
  • • A brief inspection of previous dental work, such as crowns or veneers

 

Good candidates for the Zoom Teeth Whitening procedure include:

  • • People with healthy gums
  • • People with strong, healthy teeth enamel
  • • People who have healthy oral hygiene routines

The average cost of this tooth whitening treatment is approximately $500. It may or may not be covered by insurance depending upon your insurance policy.

 

Source:  http://www.yourdentistryguide.com/zoom-whitening/

 

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Different Methods for Whitening Your Teeth

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Different Methods for Teeth Whitening Teeth whitening has become all the rage over the last few years. You can choose to whiten your teeth with over-the-counter products, or visit your dentist to have it professionally done.

Whichever method you choose, it’s helpful to know how effective each one is and what will be required to get the job done:



Tray-based over-the-counter products:
One of the earliest forms of over-the-counter (or OTC) methods for teeth whitening came with tray-based products. These kits consist of a generic, one-size-fits-all tray and whitening gel. Most require you to spend two hours a day for a period of four weeks to achieve optimum results.

Strips:
One of the more popular OTC methods for brightening your smile is whitening strips. To get the best results with these products, you’ll usually have to apply them twice a day for two weeks. The results often last for several months.

Gels:
Another more recent advent in the world of teeth-whitening products is a gel that you apply directly on the teeth. Similar to strips, gels require twice-a-day application for two weeks, and results generally last about 4 months.

Rinses:
One of the newest innovations is the whitening rinse. All that’s required is simply rinsing your mouth twice a day for about 60 seconds each time. Although this method is certainly easier than others, it’s also not as effective.

Professional whitening:
Your dentist can provide the most effective means of whitening your teeth either in the dental office or with custom-made trays at home. Not only is this the most effective method for whitening, but it will also allow your dentist to help resolve any issues that may result from whitening procedures, such as increased sensitivity.

Read more about types of teeth whitening

Photo by: Smile (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rupertuk/4159721353/) / Rupert Taylor-Price (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rupertuk/) / CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)

Dental Braces Improves Thanks to Nanotechnology

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Now that brace systems have been in use for several years, dental professionals are getting a clear picture of the side effects that may be seen with their use. The clear, transparent braces are certainly helping to retain the self-confidence of patients forced to wear the mouth gear, but there are signs of wear and tear evident.

Fortunately, researchers are looking into a solution to the problem that comes with the transparent braces, so patients can continue to enjoy a less obvious correction method without future complications. Nanotechnology is being toted and a very likely and hopeful solution. The new material created by the team of researchers would reduce mechanical and friction resistance – the root cause of wear and tear.

Nano-reinforced plastics will be useful in many applications throughout several industries, but for the dental community it can mean a more resilient, nearly invisible teeth correction system. The material is more rigid and would not give in to the constant chewing, talking and other movement of the mouth. This is all thanks to minute particles known as alumina nanoparticles, which are spread evenly through the currently utilized polysulfone.

The process has been patented by the UC3M Polymers and Composite Group. There is more work to be done to bring this product to the general population, but there is hope that dental patients will have less to fear from braces in the future.

For more information, continue reading the full article.