Month: August 2019

Clip-On, DIY Veneers: Are They Worth the Savings?

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You can buy almost anything online nowadays, including dental veneers. But are these affordable, clip-on, temporary veneers really worth the cost savings? Join our dental office in Holland as we shed some light on this increasingly popular craze in this week’s blog.

What Are DIY Veneers?

DIY veneers are dental appliances that someone can temporarily glue or snap over their natural teeth. The goal is to give the user an improved appearance by covering up any imperfections that they don’t like in their smile. There are two main types of DIY veneers — one that requires molds of your teeth to make and one that does not. Anyone can order these veneers online without the need for a dental appointment. 

The Problems With DIY Veneers

 Even though DIY veneers may be attractive because of their relatively low cost, there are definite disadvantages with buying and using these appliances. Let’s take a look at some of the most concerning problems of DIY veneers.  

  • Not Custom – Any dental treatment that does not require you to see your dentist in Holland before undergoing treatment should raise a red flag. Every person’s mouth is unique, their teeth are unique, and their treatment should absolutely be unique as well. If it’s not, like DIY veneer appliances, there’s a good chance the treatment will not give patients the result they’re looking for. Additionally, many appliances that are worn in the mouth without oversight from a dentist can be very uncomfortable. 
  • Unrealistic – Despite the fact that some brands of DIY veneers require molds of your teeth in order to produce the veneers, you still don’t know what you’re going to get. There have been many examples of patients getting DIY veneers only to have them look incredibly unrealistic. Either they’re way too white, the teeth are way too big, or the overall proportion is way off.
  • Bite Problems – One important thing that DIY veneers do not take into consideration is the bite and jaw position of the patient’s mouth. If the appliance doesn’t fit correctly, patients have a tendency to shift the way they move or rest their jaw. This can put abnormal stress on the jaw joint which can lead to pain and issues with the TMJ/TMD joint.  
  • Temporary – As we mentioned above, DIY veneers are only designed to be a temporary fix. This means only a short-lived improved appearance. Sometimes maybe even for only a few hours. 

If you’re looking to get a whiter, straighter, more beautiful smile, we highly recommend you start by scheduling an appointment at our dental office in Holland. We offer a variety of cosmetic dentistry solutions to fix any concerns you may have, and all of our work takes your entire mouth and overall health into consideration before we begin treatment. If dental veneers turn out to be the ideal solution for you, we will design beautiful, permanent, custom veneers that will transform your smile, not only for a short time, but for every day of your life.

Fluoride For Your Family’s Smiles

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Fluoride is one of the best ways to keep teeth strong, healthy, and protected against decay. But what is fluoride? Who needs it? How much do they need? We know you have questions, but don’t worry… the team at our dental office in Holland is here to answer them. 

What Is Fluoride?

Tooth decay is a serious problem among both children and adults, and one of the best ways to prevent it is by using fluoride. Fluoride is a mineral found in nature. However, it’s also often added to water which provides an easy way to make sure we’re all getting enough of it. Fluoride helps harden the enamel so our teeth are super strong and protected against bacteria and acid. Fluoride can even help strengthen teeth before they erupt, making it pretty important for kids. 

Where Do We Get Fluoride?

Fluoride comes in two forms — systemic and topical. Systemic is any form that’s ingested into the body, including fluoride found in water and fluoride tablets. Topical refers to the stuff your dentist in Holland applies to your teeth during dental visits. Chances are if your drinking water is fluoridated, and you’re using a toothpaste with fluoride, you’re probably getting enough systemic fluoride. However, if you’re prone to cavities or decay, or have sensitive teeth, your dentist may recommend using topical fluoride to keep sensitivity at bay and further protect your enamel. 

Is There Such a Thing as Too Much Fluoride?

When it comes to fluoride, there is such a thing as too much. Dental fluorosis is one of the main concerns that can result from the overuse of fluoride. Mostly affecting children under 8, dental fluorosis is caused by too much fluoride over a prolonged period of time before adult teeth have erupted. Sometimes you may notice pitting and staining, other times fluorosis can cause almost invisible white spots. You can reduce the risk of dental fluorosis by monitoring how much fluoride is in your water and choosing a different source for kids under 8 if yours has more than 2 mg/L. It’s also important to note that, while highly unlikely, too much fluoride can be hazardous. Even though it’s extremely difficult to expose yourself to dangerous levels of fluoride, you should still follow a few rules of thumb such as: 

  • Keeping fluoride supplements out of the reach of children
  • Avoiding flavored toothpaste to discourage swallowing 
  • Following your dentist’s recommendations for the right amount of fluoride for you 

If you have more questions regarding fluoride, we welcome you to call our Holland dental office to schedule a visit. We’re always accepting new patients and are here to help our neighbors get and keep healthy smiles.

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