Say “Cheese!”
Americans place an extremely high value on their smile, and according to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, 99.7% of adults believe that their smile is an important social asset. Of adults those adults, 96% believe that an attractive smile makes a person more appealing to members of the opposite sex, and 74% felt that an unattractive smile could hurt a person’s chance for career success. So, it’s no wonder that people are making that trip to the dentist!
Know Before You Go
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), “whitening” is any process that will make teeth appear whiter. This is usually achieved in one of two ways:
- Bleaching products that change the actual color of the tooth
- Non-bleaching whitening products that remove surface stains only
Whitening products usually consist of peroxide-containing whiteners or bleaching agents or whitening toothpastes and are typically doled out by dentists in a dental office setting. Many whitening products can also be purchased over-the counter (OTC).
Drawbacks to Whitening Your Teeth
Teeth whitening is the number one most requested cosmetic service in the United States today. Every year, more than $1.4 billion OTC whitening products are purchased. We see celebrities on television with their pearly, white teeth, and it sends most of us running to our dentists or local drugstores so that we, too, can have the “million dollar smile.” But there are certain consequences that can result from whitening your teeth, which include the following side effects:
- tooth sensitivity
- possible damage to tooth enamel
- possible damage to soft tissue in your mouth
- gum irritation
- ingestion of bleach (typically with home bleaching only)
Teeth whitening can remove the coffee stains and discolorations on your teeth due to cigarette smoking, tobacco chewing, and aging. More importantly, it can give most people added confidence because, after all, when you open up your mouth to talk to someone, the first thing they see are those chompers of yours. Despite all these great things it can do for you, make sure you check with your dentist as well as with your North Carolina Dental Insurance plan. Because teeth whitening is considered more of a cosmetic procedure, a lot of health insurance companies won’t cover it. If you have more questions about what types of insurance plans are available, contact BCBSNC today for a free quote.
[...] next time you hear someone tell you to say "Cheese!" just think about that smile of yours. In the United States, there is a lot of emphasis [...]
Cosmetic Dentistry
Dental Sealants
A dental sealant is an acrylic-like material that helps shield out decay-causing bacteria from the chewing surfaces of back teeth. We base our diagnosis and recommendation for dental sealants on the patient’s susceptibility to tooth decay and how the teeth were shaped when they originally formed below the gum. Though there is no specific age at which sealants are indicated, often we will recommend that the best time to apply them is when the six-year molars (the first permanent back teeth) appear.
White fillings
Silver and gold fillings used to be your only choices for fillings, especially for back teeth. Today, silver fillings can be replaced with tooth-colored fillings for a much more natural look.
All-Porcelain Crowns
It takes two appointments to restore your teeth with a crown. That’s because a crown is custom-crafted in a dental laboratory to precisely fit your tooth.
Porcelain Veneers
You can think of porcelain veneers as the false fingernails of dentistry. They are custom made “shells” bonded to the front of discoloured, uneven or damaged teeth to create a bright, healthy smile.
All-Porcelain Bridges
An all-porcelain bridge is a non-removable appliance used to replace up to four adjacent missing teeth. They are custom made to fit each patient, thus providing an aesthetically pleasing, long lasting solution to missing and/or damaged teeth.
Precision Partial
Upper or lower dentures usually are the best solution for persons with no teeth. In situations where many teeth are missing, but the remaining teeth are stable and healthy, a removable partial denture may be recommended.
Dental Implants (Implants)
An implant is a metal cylinder, surgically inserted into the bone of the upper or lower jaw. A crown or modified denture may be attached to the implant.
Bonding
Bonding, the application of a tooth coloured plastic (composite resin) on stained or damaged teeth, can make a dramatic change to the colour and/or shape of your teeth in only one office visit.
White fillings
Silver and gold fillings used to be your only choices for fillings, especially for back teeth. Today, silver fillings can be replaced with tooth-colored fillings for a much more natural look.
Home Whitening
If you’re looking to brighten a tarnished smile, whitening could be the answer.
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MarkJones
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oakville dentist–oakville dentist