Feb 19, 2018 | Blog, Dental Topics 1, Teeth Whitening
A beautifully white smile is often perceived as a sign of youth and vitality, but over time it can gradually fade. Eating certain foods or drinking dark-colored beverages, taking particular medications and simply aging can all take its toll on your teeth. It’s hardly surprising that tooth whitening has become one of the most popular cosmetic dental procedures in recent years. Professional teeth whitening is safe and effective and can quickly rejuvenate your smile. If you’re thinking about whitening your teeth, there are several options to choose from which include:
In-Office Whitening
In-office teeth whitening is hugely popular, as you can literally book a lunch time appointment and leave with a dazzling white smile. Surface stains can quickly be eliminated, and teeth can be brightened by up to eight shades in just an hour. This option is the most expensive, and you don’t have much control over the final results. Your dentist in Conyers will activate the bleaching gel with a special light so the final result should be a stunning white smile.
Custom-Made Take-Home Teeth Whitening Kits
Not everyone wants to whiten their teeth so quickly, and custom-made whitening trays enable you to safely bleach teeth in a more controlled manner. Your Conyers cosmetic dentist will take impressions of your teeth that are used to fabricate custom-made whitening trays. You’ll be shown how to use these trays, and should wear them for as long as directed. Most people will begin to notice real results within a few days, but they generally need to be used for two or three weeks to achieve optimum effects.
Over-The-Counter Teeth Whitening Kits
Over-the-counter whitening kits come in the form of trays and whitening strips and can cost between $20 and $50 so it’s tempting to think they will save you money. However the bleaching gels contained in these kits are not as strong as those available to your dentist. In addition, there’s the possibility these kits could irritate your gums as ill-fitting whitening trays can allow the gel to leak out.
If you need a dentist in Conyers contact us today
Feb 12, 2018 | Blog, Dental Topics 1, Dentures
An estimated 50 million Americans have lost all their teeth, and 69 percent of adults are missing at least one tooth. Without a full set of teeth, you may deal with alignment problems, dietary restrictions, and self-esteem issues. With modern dentures, your dentist can renew your appearance and improve oral health.
Dentures are prosthetic appliances created to replace missing teeth. Full dentures are rows of false teeth that cover the upper, lower, or both arches. If you still have some of your natural teeth, your dentist may suggest a partial denture, which fits into the empty space in your smile like a puzzle piece.
How do dentures feel?
At first, your prosthesis may take some getting used to, so give your mouth time to adjust. You may have some difficulty with pronunciation, but that will pass.
Will my dentures need to be replaced?
As we age, our mouth tissues change. Over time, your dentures may need to be repositioned, realigned, or entirely remade. Never make changes to your appliance; contact your dentist if something doesn’t seem right.
How do I care for my dentures?
To protect your dental appliance, handle the denture with care. When you take the device out, always store it safely in its case. Gently clean your dentures with mild soap and water to remove bacteria. Make sure to put the denture out of reach from small children or pets.
Do I still need to brush if I have dentures?
Absolutely. Your gums still need proper oral care, so brush them twice daily to keep the tissue healthy.
We offer dentures at our Conyers dental office
Feb 5, 2018 | Blog, Dental Topics 1, Implant Dentistry
To improve the success of your dental implant surgery, there are a few guidelines you can follow during your recovery process. Diet is one of the most important factors to consider to ensure your implants heal properly.
Initially, you should not eat or drink hot foods for 24 hours after surgery as the heat could open the wound and cause an increase in bleeding. Avoid foods that may cause trauma to the gums or disrupt the implant, including the following:
- Hard foods such as candies, pretzels, nuts, and crunchy vegetables
- Chewy foods that require more than a couple of rounds of chewing such as rolls, gummies, hard fruit, and gum
- Foods that could stick in teeth or leave particles behind such as popcorn, seeds, and chips
- Foods or drinks that contain citric acid, such as oranges or grapefruit
Carbonated beverages
A soft diet is recommended for approximately two weeks after implant surgery to allow the gum tissue to heal. It is especially important to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, although you should strictly avoid the use of a straw for at least 48 hours post-surgery. Suggestions of ideal food and drinks after implant surgery would be:
- Cooked cereals such as cream of wheat or oatmeal
- Yogurt
- Scrambled eggs
- Cottage cheese
- Broth, bouillon, or soups
- Ground beef, baked or broiled fish, or baked or stewed chicken
- Macaroni and cheese
- Baked or mashed potatoes
- Soft bread
- Puddings, milkshakes or ice cream
- Water, milk, coffee or tea
Patients who maintain a healthy diet of soft foods feel better and heal faster after dental implant surgery. Following these guidelines will help to ensure the quickest and most successful recovery from your implant surgery.
Contact our Conyers dental office today to learn more about dental implants options.
Jan 29, 2018 | Blog, Dental Topics 1, Family Dentist
Everyone knows that tobacco is harmful to your health, but many people believe that smokeless tobacco doesn’t fall into the same category. Just because it’s smokeless doesn’t mean it’s harmless. It’s dangerous for your overall health, but also for your oral health. Here are some possible oral health outcomes of using smokeless tobacco.
Tooth decay
Smokeless tobacco contains sugar, which combines with the plaque on your teeth to damage your tooth enamel and cause decay.
Receding gums
Placing chewing tobacco in your mouth at the same spot over and over can permanently damage your gums. It can also harm your bone structure. Your irritated gums may pull away from your teeth, expose your tooth roots, and leave your teeth painful and susceptible to decay. Receding gums sometimes also loosen your teeth and cause them to eventually fall out.
Tooth discoloration
Smokeless tobacco stains your teeth, causing embarrassing yellow and brown discoloration. It is extremely difficult to remove with normal brushing, and even professional teeth whitening may not completely remove these stubborn stains.
Bad breath
Your breath will suffer from tobacco products of any kind. Don’t be fooled into thinking that mint-flavored smokeless tobacco hides the problem.
Tooth abrasion
Smokeless tobacco can be gritty and scratch your teeth, wearing down the enamel. Loss of tooth enamel increases sensitivity and may require treatment.
Cancer
The consistent placement of tobacco inside your gums and the irritating juices accompanying it can cause a pre-cancerous condition called leukoplakia. All smokeless tobacco contains cancer-causing agents, which subject users to higher cancer risk in the oral cavity, larynx, esophagus, and pharynx.
Schedule your appointment at our Conyers dental office
Dec 28, 2017 | Blog, Dental Topics
If you are unhappy with the appearance of your smile, you may be considering the options available for a smile makeover. While some dental flaws can be fixed with cosmetic procedures such as teeth whitening or composite fillings, larger issues may be best addressed with dental veneers.
Chipped, stained, unevenly spaced or discolored teeth can be corrected with dental veneers in as little as one or two visits to your cosmetic dentist. The placement of veneers is a fairly simple procedure that can immediately restore your beautiful smile.
There are two types of veneers to consider for your smile makeover:
- Composite veneers utilize resin that is applied and sculpted in layers to the teeth. Composite veneers are created in your dentist’s office, and can be applied in one day. With composite veneers, the structure of the tooth is in no way altered, making them easy to remove and replace if necessary. Composite veneers can be expected to last four to eight years.
- Porcelain veneers utilize ceramic material that can be closely matched to the shade and appearance of your natural teeth. With porcelain veneers, a thin shell of porcelain is custom-made in a dental lab. Your teeth are then prepared by removing a layer of enamel, and the veneers are adhered to the front of the tooth. Porcelain veneers are a permanent option, and can last many years before they will need to be replaced.
Modern dental technology means that dental veneers look more natural than ever, and can provide a quick, dramatic improvement to your smile. If you are seeking a smile makeover to improve your less than perfect smile, dental veneers may be your best option.
Our dental office is located in Conyers
Dec 21, 2017 | Blog, Dental Topics
Dental veneers are a wonderful option to enhance and improve the look of a marred smile. The most popular type of veneers utilize thin shells of porcelain that are placed over the front of your teeth to mask imperfections such as stains, chips, or misalignment.
Before you decide if dental veneers are the right option for you, there are several questions you should pose to your cosmetic dentist:
- Am I a good candidate for dental veneers?
- What kind of training do you have in placing veneers?
- How much experience do you have placing veneers and can you provide examples of your previous work?
- Are you able to create a mock-up of what my veneers will look like?
- How will the color of my veneers be selected?
- What is the length of time from the start of treatment until my veneers are placed?
- How much will my natural teeth need to be altered before placing my veneers?
- Can you explain the process of placing the veneers?
- What kind of aftercare will my veneers require?
- Are there any kinds of foods or beverages I will need to avoid once my veneers are placed?
- How long can veneers be expected to last?
- What will happen if I need to have my veneers removed sometime in the future?
A qualified cosmetic dentist should be able to answer these questions to your satisfaction, so you do not experience any unwelcome surprises throughout the process of placing your dental veneers. If you are unhappy with your smile and think dental veneers may be the solution to your problem, contact a cosmetic dental professional to find out more about how placing veneers can give you a more perfect smile.
Schedule your appointment at our Conyers dental office
