Many people wonder if laser tooth whitening is safe—the answer is a resounding yes! Laser tooth whitening will not soften enamel or damage existing fillings.

A 15% hydrogen peroxide gel is the main component in laser teeth whitening. Dentists have been using hydrogen peroxide solutions to whiten teeth for many years. The mixture is considered safe for all gum types and does not make teeth or gums sensitive or increase sensitivity.

Before shining the laser on them, your dentist will apply the hydrogen peroxide solution to your teeth. The laser accelerates the whitening process. The procedure takes about two hours to complete and involves no additional at home treatment. About 93% of patients who have laser teeth whitening procedures say they were satisfied with the results. Long-term benefits from laser teeth whitening depend on keeping teeth clean following the procedure.

Using tobacco products, drinking coffee, tea, dark soft drinks, and not seeing your dentist at least twice a year for professional cleanings may darken your teeth again and lessen the benefits of your results. However, with proper care, you should be able to maintain the beneficial results of your laser teeth whitening for a period of 1-2 years.

Routines allow us to ensure that things in our lives that need to be taken care of or attended to regularly.  When it comes to teeth,  which help us to speak clearly, eat a variety of foods and smile without self-consciousness, a daily dental hygiene routine is essential.

Make sure that your dental cleaning routine includes using a brush with soft, end-rounded flexible bristles and brush teeth holding the brush at a 45-degree angle to the gum. Brush using a small circular motion and massage gum lines gently with the brush while brushing. Follow with careful flossing and a mouthwash that reduces plaque.

A good dental hygiene plan is to brush teeth at least twice a day for about three minutes each time. Remember to replace the brush when the bristles become worn or bent, about every two to three months.

In addition to thoroughly cleaning at least twice a day and preferable three times a day, good dental hygiene means seeing a dentist for professional cleaning at least twice a year.

Little cavities aren't usually much trouble to repair and fill, but people often fail to take care of them as soon as they should.  When should you take care of a cavity? The moment you become aware that you have one, that's when!

Little cavities can become bigger a lot faster than you might imagine. And most of are so busy these days that time truly does seem to fly. All of a sudden it's six months later and that little cavity is getting bigger every day starting to really hurt, badly.

It's amazing how people who wouldn't think of driving their cars with a bad tire—and will get a new tire the moment they discover the problem—will continue living with a cavity that's bound to do nothing but become worse over time.

Don't be like those people!  Call your dentist and set an appointment the instant you realize that you've got even the smallest cavity. Taking care of a cavity then will cost less money and cause less pain than if you wait until it gets bigger, so what are you waiting for?

Pick up the phone and call now!

The Oral Cancer Foundation reports that in the U.S., someone dies from oral cancer every hour of every day. Pretty grim statistic, isn't it? The saddest thing is that oral cancers, meaning cancers found in the mouth, lips or throat, can frequently be cured if they are diagnosed and treated early on.

 Oral cancers, however, don't call attention to themselves, and while smokers, users of chewing tobacco, African American men and people who drink alcohol heavily are at greatest risk, anyone can develop an oral cancer.

Now, there's a way to detect oral cancers before they become readily apparent by using a device called a VELscope, recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The VELscope is non-invasive and uses a bright blue light to call attention to any changes in the mouth that a dentist or hygienist could not see with normal vision.

The Oral Cancer Foundation estimates that 34,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year, and that only half of those so diagnosed will still be alive five years from now. The problem is much larger worldwide, but even with these statistics, the experts agree that early diagnosis increases the five-year survival rate by nearly one third, meaning that close to 80% of those who receive early diagnosis and treatment will survive. 

By all means, talk to your dentist about examination using a VELscope. It just might save your life!
 

Are you afraid to smile because it will show teeth that are less than perfect?  Does opening your mouth upset and embarrass you?  You need to talk, eat and smile and a cosmetic dentist can help you improve your teeth and boost your self-esteem.

Whether your teeth are discolored, chipped, cracked, misaligned or missing, a cosmetic dentist can help you find a solution to your dental difficulties.  If your teeth are stained from drinking coffee or tea, professional tooth whitening can brighten your smile.  After just one office visit, you can enjoy teeth that are five to ten shades whiter.

For teeth that are extremely stained or have chips, dental bonding can transform the appearance of the tooth.  A tooth colored dental material is sculpted around your tooth to get rid of imperfections.

If you teeth are cracked or misaligned, porcelain veneers can give you an incredible Hollywood smile.  Thin, tooth colored shells are bonded to the fronts of your teeth to absolutely recreate your smile.

Finally, even missing teeth can be replaced with bridges and dental implants.  Modern techniques make these procedures more natural-looking and less painful than ever.

Don't be afraid to smile because of tooth troubles.  Visit your cosmetic dentist and give your teeth the attention they deserve today so you can smile proudly tomorrow.

Acidic foods can cause a plethora of dental problems because acid slowly eats away at the enamel on the surface of your teeth, ultimately causing decay and additional dental difficulties.  While most people are aware of the dangers eating sugar presents to your teeth, it seems that less folks know how to handle consumption of acidic foods.

Many highly acidic foods are also nutritious elements of our everyday diet, so it is important to be aware of some of the common foods that cause increase the level of acid in our mouths, including  blueberries, cherries, cranberries, grapes, lemons, limes, pineapples, strawberries, fruit jellies, pickles, salad dressings, yogurt, American cheese, cottage cheese, apples, bananas, apple juice, energy drinks and soda.

Problems caused by excessive acid in your mouth include wear and tear of tooth enamel, resulting tooth decay, yellowing or discoloration and tooth sensitivity. 

In order to minimize the acid in your mouth, it is important to brush and floss your teeth.  However, unlike when you sugary foods, after acidic foods you need to wait at least an hour before brushing your teeth because your tooth enamel remains soft.  You can actually cause additional wear and tear to your tooth enamel by immediately brushing after acidic foods.

Be aware of your consumption of acidic foods so you can brush properly afterwards and try to avoid unnecessary acidic foods such as soda.  By minimizing the impact of acidic foods on your teeth, you can decrease the possibility of tooth decay.

There's a smile revolution going on all across America, with people everywhere fighting for a better smile.  Are you fighting for your smile?

When you fight for your smile, you schedule regular visits with your dentist for checkups and cleanings every six months.  By seeing the dentist regularly, you can detect trouble before it becomes a serious problem in your mouth.

Fighting for your smile means taking the time to brush  your teeth properly for at least two minutes, twice daily.  Use a fluoride toothpaste recommended by the American Dental Association and a soft-bristled toothbrush for the best results when brushing your teeth.  Remember to floss daily to get rid of plaque and particles in between your teeth that your toothbrush can't reach.  Brushing your tongue gets rid of additional plaque and keeps bad breath at bay.

Finally, fighting for your smile means doing what it takes to maintain a great smile.  If you detect stains, visit your dentist to discuss professional tooth whitening.  In just one or two office visits, you can have teeth that are five to ten shades whiter.  For teeth that are chipped or highly discolored, dental bonding can transform their appearance and functionality.  Even if your teeth become very stained, cracked or misaligned, porcelain veneers can recreate your smile.

Join the many Americans who are fighting of their smile today!

If your kids are wearing braces, congratulations – you have already done something terrific for their teeth.  However, while your children wear braces you need to ensure they are taking proper care of their teeth so they look great when the braces are removed.

Good oral hygiene is essential with braces because food particles and plaque can get caught in the small spaces in between braces and wires, causing tooth decay and stains on the tooth enamel.  Food may also react to bacteria in your child's mouth and the metal braces causing a bleaching effect that create small light spots.  Because of all this, it is necessary to have clean teeth and braces at all times.

Children should brush after every  meal.  You may want to give your child a small portable toothbrush to use at school and after school activities to keep their teeth and braces as clean as possible.  A floss threader or special orthodontic floss can be used daily to clean between the braces and under wiring.  When your child does not have a toothbrush, advise them to vigorously rinse their mouth out with water after eating to get rid of food particles.

You should also advise kids with braces to avoid soda and sugary snacks that promote tooth decay.  Sticky foods such as chewing gum, dried fruits, caramel and taffy are completely off limits because they can get stuck on braces and become difficult to remove.  Healthy snacks that are hard to chew, like apples and carrots, should be cut up before eating to avoid damaging wires.

With a bit of extra care and attention, your kids' teeth will look much better after braces with no telltale signs of decay.

You may have received glowing recommendations for the new dentist you're about to visit for the first time, but you should not let that stop you from asking questions and getting the answers you need.  After all, it's your mouth we're talking about here!

Among the information your dentist should readily provide to you on your first visit are answers to these questions:

• How long have you been practicing dentistry? What are your dental practice specialties?
• Will you be available to me if I have a dental emergency?
• Is this your dental practice or does someone else own it?
• Will you wear magnification when you work on my teeth?
• How many hours of continuing education do you do each year, and do can you document these?
• Do you have before and after photographs of your cosmetic dental work, and if so, may I see them? What dental laboratories do you use?
• What insurances do you accept? Do you do in-house financing?
• Have you ever had an administrative action taken against you or a lawsuit filed against you that involved dental work you performed?
• Can you give me the names of three patients for whom you have done serious cosmetic work who would be willing to talk with me about you?

Getting answers to these questions and any others you may have during your first visit is important for both you and your dentist. So don't feel nervous—go ahead and ask!