Category: Cosmetic Dentistry

Everyone knows that things like coffee, tea, and red wine can take your pearly whites and make them appear dull, stained, or discolored. But your dentist in Holland wants you to know that there are also foods that can do the opposite and actually make your teeth whiter.

Dairy
Foods that fall within the dairy food group, such as cheese, milk, and yogurt, contain something called lactic acid. This ingredient can help fight off tooth decay, and this can be directly related to the appearance of your smile. Healthier teeth are free of decay and, therefore, often whiter. More specifically, hard cheeses can help gently scrub the teeth and remove any surface stains. If you can tolerate dairy in your diet it’s a great way to protect your teeth.

Crunchy Fruits & Veggies
Similarly to hard cheeses, raw, crunchy vegetables and fruits, including celery, apples, and carrots, can effectively remove surface stains as we chew them. Besides helping whiten smiles, veggies and fruit can also increase saliva production which easily rinses away dangerous bacteria that could contribute to decay.

Strawberries
While strawberries are bright red and tend to stain clothes or cutting boards, they do quite the opposite for our teeth. Thanks to the enzyme malic acid, strawberries have been known to help wear away surface stains and can help brighten your smile.

Pineapple
Another fruit that can help remove slight tooth staining is pineapple. Pineapple contains bromelain, which has both a natural anti-inflammatory and a cleansing agent. In fact, a study conducted by the International Journal of Dental Hygiene found that bromelain can safely and effectively remove stains.

Water
Water should be a staple in everyone’s diet – it not only helps our bodies function properly but also helps keep mouths healthy. Drinking enough water throughout the day can easily rinse away harmful bacteria before it has a chance to settle in and cause decay and, in turn, discolored teeth.

At our dental office in Holland, we understand the desire to have a brighter, whiter smile, and eating some of the foods listed above can help improve your smile’s appearance. However, most of these foods will only work on small surface stains and won’t dramatically whiten your teeth. For stains that are deeper in the teeth or were caused by smoking may require a professional smile whitening treatment or cosmetic dentistry such as veneers.

If you’re looking to get a brighter, whiter smile, talk to your dentist in Holland about the best way to whiten your teeth.

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.

With all of the changes to dental care over the years, coupled with our society’s general tendencies to emphasize our appearance or looks, there’s no doubt that the demand for cosmetic dentistry has dramatically increased.

Your Holland dentist wants you to know that if you have questions about cosmetic treatments, this blog is an excellent place to start. Here are just a few of the more common questions we hear from patients and non-patients alike.

Question #1: Do cosmetic dentists have specialized training?

Some dentists have more advanced cosmetic training than their peers, so it’s always a good idea to do some homework before you commit to anyone or anything. The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry suggests you take a look at a dentist’s before and after shots to see their previous complete work, ask about their continuing education efforts, and read references and reviews if they’re available.

Question #2: What are some of the most common treatments people ask for?

At our dental office in Holland, we meet so many patients of all ages and walks of life who are ready for a smile makeover with cosmetic dentistry. Sometimes we can achieve this with just one type of treatment, but most cases require a mixture of dental procedures to get the results you’re looking for and deserve. To revamp the aesthetics of their smile, patients often ask for:

1 – Bonding – This tooth-colored material is expertly placed on teeth to help them be more uniform and free from gaps or discolorations. Slightly decayed or chipped teeth can often be fixed with bonding because it can cover the entire surface of your tooth for a change in shape and color.

2 – Whitening – Teeth whitening is probably the most widely recognized cosmetic dental treatment because it’s something we can do in the dentist’s office or the comfort of our own home. This can help lighten and brighten your smile for any big occasion.

3 – Veneers – Usually thin and made of porcelain or plastic, your dentist places veneers over the front of your teeth for an immediate upgrade to the shape and color of your smile. Veneers can help you say goodbye to unevenly spaced, chipped, broken, or discolored teeth.

4- Crowns – Also known as caps, crowns are used to help fix deteriorating teeth by covering your tooth for better appearance and function. They tend to have the longest life expectancy compared to other popular cosmetic restorations.

Question #3: How long will my results last and how much will they cost?

We understand that cost is important when considering any investment, especially in your smile and health. It’s impossible to throw out any numbers as to how much your cosmetic dental care would cost because we don’t know what procedures you’re interested in or would make a good candidate for.

Your smile overhaul should last for many years. It all depends on how well you take care of your teeth at home and if you keep your regular dental checkups and cleanings. You’ll want to make sure you’re not grinding your teeth or using them as tools to open packaging, etc. because it can damage your new dental work.

We hope you’ll talk to your dentist in Holland about how cosmetic dentistry can change your smile and your life. We’re proud to offer trusted cosmetic treatments in the comfort and privacy of our office with a team you know and trust.