Open Wide, Please

Beauty tips for a gorgeous smile

By MEGAN CASSIE

Smiles constantly affect our lives.  Your smile communicates happiness, health and makes you more sociable.  And these days, a beautiful smile is easy to come by.  Most smile enhancing procedures are quick and simple.

Makeover

ZOOM! whitening is one recommended system due to its ease of use and great results. A patient can be seen and, about an hour later, have their teeth whitened in an amazing way.

Dentists also swear by another procedure that adjust both color and shape of a smile.

Most dental practices today provide free cosmetic consultations using digitally-designed makeovers featuring porcelain veneers or tooth covers. Veneers allow the dentist to reshape and permanently whiten the teeth without having to remove sensitive tooth formation.

With a digital makeover, you get an instant preview of what your new smile could look like.

Don't Fret

Visits to the dentist office have gone from a routine procedure, to more of a relaxing, spa-like experience, thanks in part to the new aesthetic dentistry procedures.

Dentistry practices are changing and improving every day. New advances in technology offer patients a much more pleasant dental experience. This includes digital X-rays and digital dental impressions, and many are switching to the diode laser, a high-tech option for detecting and removing cavities, just to name a few. Another change is the improvement in local anesthesia. Years ago, dentists used Novocain, and many people still associate it with what dentist use for "the shot." Novocain is rarely used today. The most common anesthetics used now are lidocaine, septocaine and others. Septocaine may be stronger than the other local anesthetics, and allows most dental procedures to be performed painlessly.

Anti-anxiety techniques are now also being used daily with great results. If you have been putting off going to the dentist due to fear or anxiety, these new techniques help them administer treatment for a healthier smile in a more relaxed setting.

A Smart Buy

Patients should know that aesthetic dentistry is quite affordable when compared to the longevity of the procedures. Most people see the outlay but don't consider that an array of smile enhancement procedures offer an extensive lifespan with proper care.

Dos and Don'ts For a Healthy Smile

DO:

Go Pro:  Seek examination by dental professionals, and don't have your teeth whitened at a mall kiosk.  It's always best to get your teeth professionally cleaned prior to whitening.

Be Patient:  Some teeth will whiten more easily than others. Teeth with gray or tan stains tend to take longer to whiten, sometimes up to six months.

A Combination:  A blend of in-office bleaching and take-home trays gives you the best results.

Make a Plan:  Before putting on your bleaching trays, always brush and do it before bed so you don't eat or drink afterward.

Stay With It:  By wearing your whitening trays a couple of times a month, you can sustain your level of whiteness indefinitely.

DON'T: 

Give Up: If you develop sensitivity, skip a day or two. All the experts agree ― the results should be well worth any brief difficulty. ■

The Dental Diet

Sticky Carbs: Keep the caramel and other sticky sweets to a minimum, and watch out for sticky carbs like potato chips and white bread. Sticky foods can adhere to your teeth and offer a food source for the bacteria that naturally lives in your mouth. Keep in mind it is how long your teeth are exposed to sugar that also matters.

Drink Up: Hydrate! Water is the primary component of saliva, serving to 'rinse' your mouth. Green and black teas have polyphenols, which can positively interact with bacteria that cause plaque. Reducing coffee, tea, red wine and chocolate consumption will prolong the period between whitening sessions.

Get Your Fiber: Eat fiber-filled vegetables and fruits, or aim for nutrient-dense foods such as nuts. For example, peanuts have calcium and vitamin D and almonds have high levels of calcium.

Pass on Soda: Carbonated drinks with sugar can cause enamel erosion, followed by rapid tooth decay.

Maintenance: See your dentist regularly, even if you take care of your teeth daily. Tell your dentist the state of your teeth, and what medications you are on ― so that they can know the best course of action for your teeth and gums. ■