Do Teeth Whiteners Really Work?

Chances are, you’ve seen promising ads for teeth whiteners while watching TV or flipping through a magazine and asked yourself this question: do teeth whiteners really work? After all, the promises made in ads seem too good to be true. Just apply this strip for ten minutes and your teeth will gleam like Snow White’s! And yet, the celebrities toting these products certainly have white teeth, so something must be working. Read more

How to Help Your Child Through Their First Visit to the Dentist

Regular visits to the dentist are important not just to your child’s dental health but also to their overall well-being. Establishing a good relationship with a dentist early on will ensure your child develops good oral hygiene from the beginning, potentially saving them from costly procedures down the line.

Your child’s first visit to the dentist doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. In fact, with the right attitude, it can be quite fun! Let’s take a look at a few ways to ensure that first visit — and all that follow — are exactly that. Read more

How Do You Maintain Your Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers help people flash that beautiful they used to have before their teeth got ruined. You might have gotten new veneers recently. Well, it is important that you take care of it properly. In that way, you would be able to continue having a nice set of teeth for a long time. Here are some tips on maintaining porcelain veneers: Read more

Four Dental Procedures that can Improve Your Smile

A beautiful pearly white smile can really make all the difference to your appearance. Not only will it look lovely, but it will also help to improve your confidence. Yellowing, damaged or worn teeth can make you appear older than you are. Luckily, there are several ways that you can improve your teeth to have them looking picture perfect. This article provides information on four ways that you can improve your smile.

portrait-shelly

Teeth Whitening

Teeth can become discolored over the years due to smoking and drinking coffee and alcohol amongst many other things. A quick and easy way to remove these stains is to have a professional teeth whitening treatment. One of the most popular and effective teeth whitening treatments is the Zoom Whitening system. This treatment uses a bleaching gel which is applied directly onto the teeth and then activated by a strong light. This treatment is affordable and it can be completed in less than an hour. The results that can be achieved will depend on your teeth type, but some people report their teeth are up to ten shades whiter after the treatment.

Invisalign

Crooked teeth can really affect your self-confidence. There are several ways you can alter crooked teeth, one of the main ways being by using invisalign aligners. Many people are put off by the thought of braces, as they are often not too discreet. Invisalign is a new technique which can be used to provide you with that perfect smile. Invisalign uses clear plastic trays to comfortably and effectively align the teeth. These trays are custom made to fit perfectly around your teeth, and they will be so close to the teeth that they are hardly noticeable. Your dentist will use a special 3D technology to create custom aligners for your teeth.

Veneers

Another way to get that perfect smile is to have veneers. Chipped teeth will really age your face and they can ruin your smile. Porcelain veneers can be used to cover chipped teeth, plus they can be used straighten wonky or unevenly spaced teeth. These veneers are made from a thin layer of white porcelain which is attached directly onto the natural teeth. Your dentist will be able to match the exact color and texture of your own teeth, so no one will know that you have them.

Crowns

Cracked, damaged or decaying teeth will look very unsightly in the mouth, plus they can also affect your ability to chew food properly. Crowns, also referred to as caps, can be placed over these teeth to disguise the damage and allow your teeth to function normally again. Crowns can be made out of porcelain, gold or metal alloys depending on where they are to be positioned. A dentist will be able to advise you on the best types of crowns for your needs.

When it comes to having any dental procedures done, then you must ensure that you choose a reputable dentist. Make sure that you do some research to check that they are able to provide a high quality service. Good luck.

Are you considering getting any of these procedures, or have you had any of these procedures done? Share your questions and experiences in the comments below.

Nervous about dentists? Sedation dentistry can help

If you’re nervous about going to the dentist, you’re not alone. A recent study found that 5% to 8% of Canadians avoid dentists entirely out of fear, and even more people as high as 20% will only go to the dentist when they are in pain.

The trouble is, avoiding regular check-ups and cleanings or waiting until you’re truly suffering before making an appointment with a dentist often means any underlying dental issues will get worse and become more difficult to treat. That’s where sedation dentistry can help. By making appointments more comfortable, sedation can help you stick to a regular schedule of dental visits and maintain optimal oral health. Regular visits to your dentist is key to maintaining your dental health.

Sedation involves the administration of medication to relax patients during dental procedures. Burlington’s Dental Health Group has been offering sedation dentistry for over 25 years, finding it very beneficial for people who have a fear of needles, sensitive teeth or intense gag reflexes, as well as those who have a dental phobia. And it’s not just adults who can benefit. Sedation dentistry can be offered to children as well, to help keep them comfortable during their treatment.

Normally, the type of sedation you receive will depend on your level of discomfort or fear. In some cases, an oral sedative is used to ease you into a semi-conscious state, minimizing discomfort and leaving you little or no memory of the procedure. Nitrous Oxide (better known as “laughing gas”) may be recommended if you are experiencing mild anxiety and is recognized by the Canadian and American Academy of Paediatric Dentistry as being safe for children. If you are extremely anxious or fearful, your dental team may recommend general anaesthesia and will work with a dental anaesthesia specialist to accommodate you.