Pearly Whites are here to stay and you have a vast array of choices when it comes to the treatments on offer.So for teeth whitening fans everywhere, below are the pros and cons which might help you decide what’s best for you:
- Whitening Toothpastes:
These Contain ingredients which normally work by abrasive action on surface staining on teeth.
Pros: They are easy and generally safe to use at home.can be fitted into your everyday brushing and oral hygiene routine
Cons: They work only at a surface level by removing superficila stains.They won’t change the intrinsic shade of your teeth so results can be temporary and short-lived
- Over The Counter Tooth Bleaching Kits:
This usually entails using peroxide gel as the whitening or bleaching agent. The peroxide is delivered to the teeth either using a tray that fits over the teeth or via strips applied to the teeth.Worn daily for between 10-20 minutes each day and up to 2weeks for treatment to produce results
Pros: You dont need to visit a dentist and the costs are considerably less
Cons: The results are not guaranteed and can vary considerably too.Ill-fitting trays can result in bleaching agent leaching onto gums and causing damage , sensitivity and pain
- Professional Dental Bleaching Kits :
This treatment is based on the whitening agent(either peroxide or carabamide) being placed in a custom-made tray being worn on your teeth daily(or nightly) for 7-10 days
Pros:The trays are custom made to fit over each individual’s teeth to leaching is less likely to occur.The whitening agent or gel is usually stronger as it is suppled under the dentist’s supervision. Consequently, professional and dental follow up ensures any side effects can be addressed and the treatment can be tailored to achieve the required whitening results.
Cons:The dentist has to supply the trays and solutions and the cost can be higher
Carried out in the dentist chair using a photosensitive whitening gel or soultion and a laser to activate and perform the treatment.
Pros:The treatment takes approximately an hour and the results are almost instant. Treatment can also be much more specifically targetted to particular teeth which may require more whitening
Cons:You may need to visit your cosmetc dentist more than once if you require subsequent treatments and dramatic results.Most costly of all the teeth whitening and bleaching treatments available
Treat your teeth with love and care and you will reap the rewards of a healthy smile and hopefully avoid painful or expensive dental treatment costs in the future.You may have heard it all before but preventaion really is better than cure so visiting your dentist and hygienist on a regular basis is essentail and recommended.
Here are some tips on brushing and flossing to keep your teeth in tip top condition:
- Brush teeth regularly, twice a day for two to three minutes using a non abrasive fluoride toothpaste. This helps control build up of plaque
- Leave about 20minutes after meals before brushing teeth; brushing straight after a meal can do more harm than good especially if the foods or drinks you have consumed are acidic in nature as this can lead to softening of and damage to your tooth enamel
- Change your toothbrush regularly, generally every three months and before the bristles get spalyed or worn away
- Whether it’s manual or electric,use a toothbrush with a small head and medium to soft bristles
- Your teeth have four surfaces not two so remember to floss between your teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach. This will reduce plaque between teeth,keep your mouth healthy and reduce bacteria which can lead to inflammation and gum disease
Visit your dentist and hygienist every six months.You only get one set of adult teeth so look after them!
Straightening your teeth can present with you a whole range of options, choices and decisions.
Below are some of the treatments on offer these days:
- Clear Aligner Treatment such as Invisalign
This is a popular and fairly new system which involves clear aligners(or trays) being fitted to your teeth which are worn all day and changed over time. They are designed to move your teeth slowly and daily into the required position. The trays are almost invisible which is one of the reasons they are so popular
- Train tracks or Ceramic Brackets
This is the tradional form of orthodontics used to straighten teeth and can either be the traditional metal braces(or train tracks) or white, ceramic brackets. They are worn on the teeth and gradually tightened and adjusted by your orthodontist to push and move teeth into the desired and final position.The clear or ceramic brackets have the advantage of blending and merging with your teeth and consequently are virtually unnoticeable and invisible.
- Lingual Orthodontics
In this treatment,braces are fited behind the teeth so nobody even knows you are wearing a ‘brace’.Again, the movement of the teeth relies on the adjustment from the braces to the required place and alignment.These braces can come as standard or can also be made to measure to fit you.
Costs for these treatments vary depending on the sysytem selected and the amount of work involved.Most cosmetic dentists and orthodontists offer interest free payment plans and financing these days which helps spread the cost of payment and allow you to manage the cost of orthodontic treatment.
Dental implants are good for replacing gaps and missing teeth. A dental implant can perform all the functions of a natural tooth and it looks like a real tooth. Because of this, it is difficult to be able to tell whether the tooth is an artificial one or the real thing which is great for restoring function and also for restoring confidence if you are self conscious of missing teeth in your mouth.
Where necessary, one or more teeth can be replaced artificially using a dental implant. This does not affect the adjacent teeth.
Some of the other choices for replacing a missing tooth are dentures( and their are many varities and types of dentures available today) as well as bridge and crowns(and again there are a whole array of bridges available form cosmetic dentists these days). However, a dental implant is a great way of replacing a missing tooth or several missing teeth. The procedure does not have an effect on your adjacent teeth and it is long lasting and just like having a new tooth (or teeth) fixed into your jaw to replace your old missing tooth.
Dental implants allow you to eat and speak with confidence and comfort and feel like you have a full set of teeth again- without the worry of adhesives and displaced dentures or the pain and discomfort of a broken bridge.
Dental implants are the best option for tooth replacement, but still need good oral care and frequent dental checkups or visits. You must brush and floss after every meal. This will help you keep your implants plaque-free and clean.
To ensure that the dental implants are healthy after the treatment, you must go for regular follow-ups with your dentist.
If you have always been embarrassed and self conscious about the appearance of your teeth and your smile, you no longer need to be.
With plenty of cosmetic dental treatment options available today, you can easily transform the appearance of your teeth and get yourself a gorgeous smile.
Many dental problems or cosmetic defects can be corrected through cosmetic dentistry treatments There are several types of cosmetic dentistry and restorative procedures available that you can choose from-All that you need to do is visit a good cosmetic dentist to find out the most suitable dental treatment for you.
Dental veneers are one of the cosmetic dentistry treatment options that are widely used by celebrities such as Cheryl Cole and Simon Cowell to achieve their sparkling white smiles.
They are very effective at transforming your teeth and smile and usually require between two and four sittings at a cosmetic dentist.
The procedure of having dental veneers involves a small amount of enamel from the affected tooth being removed so the cosmetic dentist can bond your and customised dental veneer and attach this to your tooth. The veneer is custom made to suit your requirements and can be matched perfectly to the shape, colour and size you require.
Veneers are often incorporated in many smile makeover programmes and are one of the many ways you can change your smile if you are embarrassed about your teeth and hate smiling or talking because of their appearance.
A beautiful and wonderful smile can go a long way in improving how you look and also in helping you smile and communicate better.
Self conscious and unhappy about your yellow teeth? Do your discoloured teeth stop you from smiling and laughing?
If so, you are missing out on special moments of your life but it doesn’t have to be this way. The good news is you don’t need to avoid smiling or laughing in public because you are embarrased about your yellow teeth or unsightly smile. There are ways to overcome this and bleaching or whitening your teeth can make them look healthier, brighter and cleaner.
Many cosmetic dentists and NHS dentists offer teeth whitening treatments today.
Laser tooth whitening and tray teeth whitening kits(both professional and home kits) are the most popular ways to whiten your teeth. Thanks to the remarkable technological advances in the field of cosmetic dentistry, it is now possible to treat yellow teeth. You can achieve sparkling white teeth with the help of a visit to your dental hygienist and cosmetic dentist. Your dental hygienist wil clean your teeth and gums and remove and plaque build up whilst your cosmetic dentist can carry out laser teeth whitening treatment to brighten your teeth. Laser teeth whitening is fairly quick and straightforward and painless too-and the outcome is almost instant.
It is possible to buy teeth whitening products over the counter and carry out your own tooth bleaching at home. However, proceed with caution when doing so as teeth whitening is a cosmetic dentistry procedure and it is advisable to consult your dentist in advance before purchasing such products.
Laser whitening may seem costly when compared with other teeth whitening treatments, however, you do get what you pay for and the final results and outcome will reflect your choices.
Always visit a good cosmetic dentist when it comes to the appearance and health of your teeth and gums. You will be glad you didn’t compromise in the long run.
One of the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures available today, teeth whitening has been seen as a growing ver the last few years. Many people use teeth whitening to achieve a whiter smile or a younger looking smile as white teeth are often associated with youth. An added factor to whiter teeth is also the confidence boost it can bring.
Smiling is also infectious and a really good way of making a great and lasting first impression on someone you meet. A smile could go a long way in ensuring that you make a positive and memorable impression on that cute someone you just stumbled into, either on your way to work or at the weekend party!
Teeth whitening is usually performed by using a mild solution of carbamide or hydrogen peroxide on your teeth. Laser teeth whitening is a more sophisticated approach, whereby a gel is applied to the teeth and then activated through the use of a light and heat generating laser. It is important to have healthy teeth and gums before you decide to undertake tooth whitening on your teeth.
You may spend money on buying clothes and accessories to enhance your style and image but the impression you create can be ruined if your overall image isn’t considered. And if your teeth are discoloured, ugly or unhealthy that may be the first and last impression you leave behind!
Whiter and healthier teeth can lead to a more confident smile and this could truly help leave a memorable and positive lasting impression on the people you meet.
A decayed, disfigured or broken tooth can destroy your whole appearance. When people have such a tooth, smiling or laughing can become an embarrassment for them. They become very conscious of the disfigurement and are no longer the confident person they used to be. Getting a dental crown can make any damaged tooth perfect and help in regaining lost self esteem.
Dental crowns are of many types – porcelain dental crowns, bonded porcelain metal crowns, ceramic crowns and gold alloy crowns. Porcelain dental crowns are used frequently as they appear very similar to natural teeth. Ceramic crowns are relatively new. They have the strength of bonded crowns and the natural appearance of porcelain. You can select the type of dental crown according to your preference after consulting your dentist.
Dental crowns also provide strength to a partly decayed or broken tooth. In some cases dental crowns are used to cap a damaged tooth that has undergone root canal treatment. Once the dental crown is fitted, the patient might take some time adjusting to it, but within a few days’ time the person gets accustomed to it completely. So, opt for dental crowns and get rid of your embarrassment permanently.
Are you teeth and gums healthy, happy and in good shape? Do you really look after your teeth and oral health on a daily basis or is it a case of not bothering to think about it until toothache strikes or bleeding gums send you panicking to book a dental appointment?
A lack of dental routine,care and poor hygiene often leads to tooth decay. When the dental pulp of a tooth is affected,the pain in a tooth can become unbearable. Usually such a case is addressed with root canal treatment.
The pulp of the teeth can get infected due to tooth fracture or excessive pressure. When the tooth pulp is affected in such a manner, it gets infected, which results in toothache and bad breath. The only way out is to opt for root canal treatment. This procedure ensures a longer and healthier life of the tooth since all the infected pulp is extracted.
Once the treatment is over, adding a crown or cap onto the tooth is carried out to ensure that future problems are minimised. So if you are experiencing toothache or if your teeth are sensitive to hot and cold, visit a cosmetic dentist today and get rid of all your oral problems.
Healthy white teeth and a natural looking smile can make you look great…Simon Cowell and his celebrity white smile however, may not necessarily be an image to which you aspire.
So how to do you get a youthful white smile that gets you noticed for the right reasons?
Professional Teeth Whitening can produce good results when carried out well but almost as unattractive as discoloured teeth, beware the over-bleached smile. Teeth can turn translucent and almost blue when they have been whitened too much. Furthermore, overbleaching without correct supervision and misuse of strong products can damage your teeth and gums.
If you are considering teeth whitening, it is advisable to undergo the treatment under professional and dental supervision. You should be free of dental cavities, mouth sores or any other dentally related problems before undertaking teeth whitening treatment and waiting six months between treatments is the guideline recommendation.
Porcelain veneers are also widely utilized as a popular choice in creating straighter, whiter and younger looking teeth and smiles.To prevent a fake-looking and over white smile, the shade of the veneers should be carefully selected to ensure it is not too opaque and also, to personally fit in with your teeth and face. In addition to the obvious clinical and aesthetic analysis of your teeth and mouth, a good cosmetic dentist will consider your skin tone, hair and eye colour as well as the symmetry and shape of your face when crafting your veneers. These considerations, alongside the shape, shade, colour and size of your veneers, will determine the final result;and also,whether your smile looks beautifully natural and like it belongs to your face or whether you end up with a set of very dazzling white teeth which get noticed over and above everything else!
When you visit your cosmetic dentist for your consultation, it’s a good idea to have a list of your expectations and what end result you are hoping to achieve. Also, take along photographs of yourself from your younger days which will provide your cosmetic dentist with a visual representation to work with (although remember it’s unlikely he/she has discovered the holy grail to the fountain of youth!).Additionally, photographs from magazines of smiles you like as well as dislike are a useful guide.
Whether it be subtle or dramatic, colour change to complete smile transformation, it is possible to achieve a beautiful smile. Teeth whitening is more affordable than porcelain veneers and achieves colour change. How long this lasts will depends on your lifestyle: White wine or red, fizzy cola or water, cigarettes or chewing gum. Porcelain veneers are more costly, achieve colour change as well as changing shape, size and alignment of teeth and have more longevity, often lasting up to 15 years.
Above all, one of the most important considerations is achieving the desired final outcome. After all, ‘Wow, you have a lovely smile!’ is a much greater compliment than ‘Wow, have you had your teeth done?’
