Typically made of porcelain ceramic, but sometimes composite resin, dental veneers are strong, stain-resistant, and are permanently bonded to your teeth. You can still eat, drink, smile, and speak just like you would with your normal teeth, except with a gorgeous new layer of veneers to correct different cosmetic concerns you may have about your smile!

Dental Veneers Can Fix a Variety of Cosmetic Concerns

One of the best benefits of dental veneers is their ability to correct numerous cosmetic issues with just one treatment. Dental veneers can fix teeth that are stained, chipped, gapped, and even crooked [1]. Veneers are also a popular treatment for misshapen teeth.

During the process for dental veneers, your dentist will take impressions of the teeth that are going to receive veneers and then send these impressions out to a lab. Dental veneers are custom-made to fit your smile for a seamless and natural look.

Once the veneers are back from the lab, your dentist will ensure they fit properly and then prepare your natural teeth to receive the veneers. Generally this involves removal of a tiny bit of your tooth enamel in order to facilitate proper bonding between your dental veneer and your tooth.

You Could Be a Good Candidate for Dental Veneers

The good news is that many people are good candidates for dental veneers. It’s a common procedure that has major improvements for the appearance of your smile [2].

People who qualify for dental veneers include those who:

• Have healthy tooth enamel to support the bonding process. Without enough tooth enamel, you may not qualify for traditional dental veneers, although you may have other cosmetic dentistry options.
• Are unhappy with the appearance of their smile. Dental veneers can correct numerous issues with your smile without the need for numerous treatments!
• Have good oral health and are committed to maintaining their oral health. You still need to care for your dental veneers just as you would your natural teeth, so you must be committed to maintaining your dental health to be a good candidate for veneers!
• Do not have current issues with teeth grinding. Grinding your teeth can damage dental veneers, so ideally you wouldn’t want to have this problem when pursuing this form of cosmetic treatment.

It’s also important to remember that dental veneers are considered an irreversible form of treatment, which means you want to be sure about the procedure before continuing. You and your dentist can discuss all this and more during your consultation for veneers!

Find Out More About Your Cosmetic Dentistry Options

If you’re unhappy with your smile and want to see dramatic results without getting numerous treatments done, you could qualify for dental veneers. Schedule an appointment with your dentist today to learn more about veneers and about your other cosmetic dentistry options to improve your smile!

Sources:
1. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/v/veneers
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6311473/pdf/OAMJMS-6-2402.pdf

The post What Exactly Are Dental Veneers, and Are You a Good Candidate? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

People choose to professionally whiten their teeth when their teeth have accrued stains over time that a regular cleaning at the dentist office or home care habits won’t remove. Some patients may have tried take-home teeth whitening kits with mediocre results.

If you’re considering a teeth whitening procedure or have just gotten one done, you may be wondering just how long a professional teeth whitening lasts. Here’s what you should know when professionally whitening your smile!

How Long You Can Expect a Professional Whitening to Last

You can expect a professional teeth whitening to last for about two years up to ten years. It’s important to remember that the results will vary from person to person.

For example, people who neglect to take care of their teeth and consume heavy-staining foods and drinks can see their professional whitening fade in as little as a few weeks [1]. However, people who take care of their smiles can see their results last for years.

Lifestyle Habits That Can Prematurely Stain Your Smile

People who drink coffee, wine, or tea are more at risk to see their dazzling smile become dull and stained faster than those who don’t [2]. Foods that can stain your newly white smile can include tomatoes, berries, soy sauce, and potent spices such as turmeric.

In addition, people who smoke will see their white teeth rapidly deteriorate compared to those who don’t smoke or use tobacco products.

People who don’t visit their dentist will also see their smile prematurely stain. Your dentist
removes surface stains during your teeth cleaning to keep your smile white. When you neglect to visit the dentist, even the best home care habits can’t keep a smile white forever.

What Can You Do to Extend the Life of Your Bright Smile?

Just because you’ve gotten a professional teeth whitening doesn’t mean your teeth are now immune to stains. In fact, it’s more important to protect your smile now than before your whitening procedure to prolong the results!

Of course, avoiding all the foods and drinks that can stain your teeth is often out of the
question. So what can you do to prolong your professional teeth whitening?

First, visit your dentist for regular cleanings at least once a year but preferably every six months [3]. Your dentist will remove stains and can make touch-ups to keep your smile white over time. You can also drink water while consuming teeth-staining foods and drinks.

For example, when sipping a glass of wine, sip water too. When enjoying pasta with sauce, drink water with your meal. This will not only keep you hydrated—which is important for your smile also—but will help minimize tooth staining.

Although a professional teeth whitening doesn’t last forever, it can last a very long time with the right care. Ask your dentist how you can better care for your teeth after a whitening procedure and if whitening your teeth can help remove stains for a brighter you!

Sources:
1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/teeth-whitening/faqs
2. https://www.ada.org/sitecore/content/home-mouthhealthy/nutrition/food-tips/9-foods-that-damage-your-teeth
3. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/dental-care-concerns/questions-about-going-to-
the-dentist

The post How Long Does Professional Teeth Whitening Last? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

With so many people receiving a professional whitening treatment, it’s natural to wonder how this procedure affects your teeth and gums. For those who want a whiter smile and are considering teeth whitening, is this procedure harmful to your oral health?

Teeth Whitening Is Considered Safe and Effective

When done correctly, teeth whitening is considered to be a safe procedure [1]. Dentists have developed teeth whitening to be an effective treatment that poses minimal risk to teeth. While dentists use a higher concentration of the whitening agent than at-home bleaching kits, these are trained professionals who have done many teeth whitening procedures and know how to keep your smile protected during the entire whitening process.

Some of the minor risks for teeth whitening include temporary heightened tooth sensitivity following the procedure. If you already have sensitive teeth, it’s important to let your dentist know so that you can discuss what protective measures to take to ensure the safety of your smile.

Using Store-Bought Kits Is Riskier

If you’re using store-bought kits to whiten your teeth, the risk to your oral health is going to be higher than getting your teeth professionally whitened at the dentist office.

When using these kits, the whitening agent is more likely to come into contact with your gum tissue, which can cause gum irritation and inflammation. At the dentist office, your gums and the soft tissues of your mouth are fully protected before the whitening process begins.

There’s also the risk to overuse the kits and cause tooth sensitivity. Many people want a white smile for an upcoming event such as a graduation, a wedding, or a job interview. Unfortunately, many people to overuse the kits to accelerate the whitening process which can strip tooth enamel and cause permanent tooth sensitivity.

Professional Care Is Always Best

Your dentist will always take the utmost precautions to protect your teeth during your professional whitening procedure. When done by an experienced dentist, teeth whitening doesn’t pose any serious risks to your smile.

Most side effects—such as tooth sensitivity—are temporary and will last a few hours to a few days after your appointment. Any extreme pain or sensitivity you experience should be reported to your dentist so you can follow up.

Many dentists will even conduct a fluoride treatment following your whitening procedure to ensure that tooth sensitivity is kept to a minimum. Fluoride has been shown to be an effective treatment for patients who experience sensitivity following teeth whitening [2].

It’s also important to note that teeth whitening is not recommended for children by The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry [3].

Considering Teeth Whitening?

Proven to be safe for teeth, a professional teeth whitening isn’t harmful to your oral health. Like any procedure, it’s not without its risks; however, talking with your experienced oral healthcare professional about your teeth whitening procedure can help ensure that this is the best treatment for you based on your goals for your smile!

Source:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4058574/
2. https://bmcoralhealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1472-6831-14-113
3. https://www.ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/whitening

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