• The Importance of a Whiter Smile

    When it comes to cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening in Bel Air, MD , is one of the most popular procedures. Today, professional teeth whitening can lighten your smile by several shades in just one visit to the dentist. Teeth whitening is also completely painless—and more affordable than ever. If you want to improve your oral health and cosmetic appearance, ask your dentist about your teeth whitening options. Keep reading to learn why a whiter smile is so important, including that it improves oral health, boosts self-esteem, and creates a younger appearance.

    Whiter-Smile

    Improves Oral Health

    Most people know that teeth whitening makes you look and feel better. But in addition to its cosmetic dentistry benefits, a white smile also improves your oral health. Whiter teeth deliver a smile that looks happy and healthy. When you invest in teeth whitening, you will feel motivated to take the best care of your smile, including brushing and flossing regularly.

    Boosts Self-Esteem

    Teeth whitening has given millions of people an essential boost in self-esteem. The teeth can become dark or yellow for many reasons, including as a natural side effect of aging, due to many dental procedures, or as a result of bad habits like smoking cigarettes or drinking coffee. When you whiten your teeth, you no longer need to feel insecure when you laugh, smile, or eat. That means you can enjoy a much more active social life. Whiter teeth can also help you excel at work. With your new confidence, you will feel more comfortable than ever meeting with clients—or asking your boss for a raise.

    Creates Younger Appearance

    Many people invest in teeth whitening because it is one of the quickest and most affordable ways to look and feel younger. As dentists know, everyone’s teeth are perfectly white and shiny when they are born. Yet, over time, everyone’s teeth also become darker. Instead of letting your smile make you look older than you feel, ask your dentist about your options for teeth whitening. With healthy gums and a bright smile, you are guaranteed to take years off your appearance.

  • Different Dental Restoration Procedures

    A dentist in Bel Air, MD, has many techniques for restoring your smile . If you are missing teeth or suffer from tooth decay, ask your dentist about restorative dentistry.

    With dental restoration, a dentist can help you achieve a healthier and better looking smile. If you have lost teeth due to accidents or tooth decay, your dentist may suggest dental implants to restore your smile. Dental implants are tiny titanium screws that fuse with the jawbone to provide permanent anchors for a dental bridge or crowns. A dental clinic should also regularly perform root canal procedures. With root canals, your dentist removes inner tooth pulp that has become infected. As long as the infection is caught early, a root canal can help preserve the natural tooth. However, your dentist may also use crowns to strengthen the tooth. Dentists also offer dentures and partial dentures for individuals who have lost all or most of their teeth due to age or periodontal disease. Finally, if you have cavities, dentists use composite fillings to repair the affected teeth. All of these techniques ensure that you can have a full and healthy smile.

    Dental-Restoration

  • How Tooth Whitening Works

    Teeth whitening is one of the most in-demand procedures for cosmetic dentistry in Bel Air, MD . Watch this video to learn more about how professional teeth whitening can help you achieve a beautiful smile.

    Teeth whitening uses the latest technology in cosmetic dentistry to deliver a white smile in just one visit to a dentist. At-home teeth whitening kits contain only low levels of bleach. Dentists are able to use high-powered bleach, which means you can brighten your teeth by many shades after one pain-free procedure. The teeth can become dark or stained for many reasons, including smoking cigarettes, drinking coffee, taking certain medications, or having certain dental procedures. If you have always wanted a brighter smile, ask your dentist if professional teeth whitening may be right for you.

  • What’s Causing Your Bad Breath?

    If you have reported bad breath symptoms to your dentist in Bel Air, MD , you most likely have no cause for concern. However, it is important to practice good dental care habits, as bad breath may be caused by poor oral hygiene.

    To ward off bad breath, dentists suggest brushing twice per day and flossing every night. In addition to regular teeth cleanings at your dental clinic, good dental care at home is essential to keeping your whole mouth healthy. However, bad breath also has more serious causes. For example, bad breath can be caused by a dental abscess, gum disease, or tooth decay. It is important to tell your dentist about bad breath.

  • The Latest Ways to Improve Your Smile

    Modern cosmetic dentistry in Bel Air, MD , offers many solutions to help patients achieve the smiles of their dreams. A dentist who practices cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving the appearance of a patient’s mouth, teeth, and smile. These treatments are generally considered elective and are customized depending on an individual’s preferences, needs, and goals. Continue reading to learn more about new cosmetic dentistry trends, including teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, and dental implants.

    Cosmetic Dentistry in Bel Air MD

    Teeth Whitening
    Teeth whitening is the most common procedure in cosmetic dentistry today. When performed by dentists in a dental clinic, teeth whitening can brighten the teeth several shades in under an hour. While professional teeth whitening procedures vary, a dentist generally applies a bleaching gel to your teeth first. Next, your dentist will use a light to activate the solution. You can listen to music or watch TV during two 20-minute treatments, and the entire procedure is completely painless.

    Porcelain Veneers
    If you have especially dark stains on your teeth, have a chipped tooth, or have different sized or shaped teeth, your dentist may recommend porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers like Lumineers are comprised of thin sheaths of tooth-colored material. Veneers completely cover the fronts of teeth, concealing any discolorations or imperfections. Dentists also suggest using veneers as an alternative to braces. Lumineers can also correct misaligned, overlapping, or gapped teeth—without the long treatment time associated with braces.

    Dental Implants
    Are you missing one or more teeth? Dental implants are permanent solutions to missing teeth. Dental implants consist of tiny titanium screws that are surgically implanted into the jaw by a dentist. The implants are then covered with dental bridges or crowns. Unlike dentures, which can be uncomfortable and make it difficult to eat and speak with confidence, dental implants function and look like your natural teeth. Additionally, dental implants encourage bone growth. For patients whose jaw bones have begun to deteriorate due to tooth loss, dental implants are the best choice.

  • How BriteSmile Works

    When you visit your dentist in Bel Air, MD for BriteSmile treatment, you can expect the very latest in teeth whitening technology. BriteSmile is an efficient, affordable, and painless procedure.

    BriteSmile teeth whitening is known specifically for its effectiveness and gentleness. This teeth whitening procedure is performed by dentists in dental clinics. BriteSmile is recommended for patients of all ages, excluding children. When you visit your dentist for a BriteSmile treatment, you can expect to dramatically improve the appearance of dull, discolored, yellow, or darkened teeth. After just a single one-hour visit, you will have a brighter, whiter smile. BriteSmile teeth whitening uses a combination of special bleaching gel and a cool, blue light to whiten your teeth. First, your dentist will apply the BriteSmile gel to your teeth. Next, your dentist will apply the BriteSmile light for 20 minutes. You can sit, relax, and watch TV or listen to music the entire time. After one or two more 20-minute applications, you will have noticeably whiter teeth. Before you leave the dental office, your dentist may advise you to avoid certain foods and beverages for a short time to avoid staining your teeth.

    Dentist in Bel Air MD

  • Choosing Between Dental Implants and Dentures

    Are you deciding between dentures and dental implants near Bel Air, MD ? You are not alone. Dentists report that almost 70% of American adults between 35 and 44 have at least one missing tooth, and the numbers only increase with age. Fortunately, cosmetic dentistry now offers many different options for restoring your smile, including dental implants and dentures. Continue reading to learn more.

    Bone Health
    The first step in deciding between dental implants and dentures involves asking your dentist to evaluate your jaw bone. When you schedule a consultation with your dental clinic, your dentist will determine whether you have enough healthy Dental Implants Near Bel Air MD bone to support dental implants. When you lose teeth, the bone beneath naturally deteriorates, because it has no tooth to support. However, for dental implants to successfully adhere to the jaw, there must be sufficient healthy bone to support them.

    Permanent Solution
    Dental implants are ideal for individuals who want a permanent solution to missing teeth. Because they fuse directly with the jawbone, dental implants last a lifetime. Additionally, the bridge or dental crowns function just like normal teeth. However, some patients prefer the efficiency and ease of dentures. Dentures do not require surgery and can often be created in a single day, so you can leave your dentist with a full set of teeth. Additionally, dentures can be easily removed and require little at-home care.

    Cosmetic Appearance
    When you decide between dentures and dental implants, you may also want to consider how much importance you place on your smile’s cosmetic appearance. Both dentures and dental implants are much more natural looking today than ever before. However, dental implants and crowns offer an aesthetic advantage over dentures, because they look just like natural teeth. If having a full set of beautiful teeth is important to you, be sure to consider dental implants.

  • Treating an Abscessed Tooth

    If you have an abscessed tooth, it means that the bulb of your tooth is infected. A pocket of puss forms under the tooth and is usually quite painful. The infection is caused by advanced gum disease in Bel Air or tooth decay and the infected portion of the abscessed tooth will need to be removed. To treat an abscessed tooth, a dentist in Bel Air will perform a root canal .

    Watch this video to learn more about treating an abscessed tooth and what causes the infection to happen. In addition to tooth decay, a cracked tooth can also cause an abscessed tooth. A root canal is when a dentist removes the infected portion of the tooth and seals the tooth with a crown.

  • Steps to Take in Preventing Gum Disease

    Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults. Initially, periodontal disease in Bel Air can be difficult to detect until it has advanced. In the early stages of gum disease , usually referred to as gingivitis, most people may not notice any signs at all. This is why it is so important to regularly visit a dentist to monitor signs of gum disease. Luckily, gum disease is easy to prevent. Since it is caused by bacteria, it is simply a Gum Disease in Bel Air MD matter of reducing the amount of bacteria in your mouth. Keep reading for tips on gum disease prevention.

    Routinely Brush and Floss
    A dental hygiene routine is key to preventing gum disease. At a minimum, you should brush your teeth twice a day and floss teeth once a day. For the best results, brush and floss after each meal. This will help eliminate food particles that can get stuck in between teeth and cause bacteria to grow. It is important to use a toothbrush with different lengths of bristles to ensure that all surface area of each tooth is reached. Using toothpaste with fluoride helps protect your mouth from gum disease. When flossing, be sure to get in between each tooth, especially the back molars. In addition to brushing and flossing, a mouthwash can help rinse away pieces of food and also freshen your breath.

    Regularly Visit the Dentist
    No oral health care routine is complete without annual visits to the dentist. Most dentists recommend regular visits every six months. During a dental exam, a dental hygienist will perform a teeth cleaning that is able to remove plaque and tartar that you cannot clean off at home. Once plaque hardens, it forms tartar, which can lead to gum disease. Regular dental cleanings help prevent tartar buildup. A dentist will likely take x-rays to detect any abnormalities in your mouth. By regularly visiting your dentist, you can also notify them of any new pain or other problems. Early detection of problems can prevent major problems down the road and also help you avoid the need to see an emergency dentist.

  • The Purpose of a Fixed Bridge

    A dental bridge is just what it sounds like, as it bridges the gap between two teeth. If you are missing a tooth, dentists in Bel Air will likely recommend a fixed bridge. The bridge itself is composed of a prosthetic tooth that rests in the gap and is attached to two crowns that sit on top of the adjoining teeth. In many cases, the surrounding teeth are modified so that the dental crown will securely fit on top of the existing tooth. Dentists may recommend a bridge over a dental implant since it is a quicker form of treatment to replace a missing tooth.

    The purpose of the fixed bridge is to prevent any issues with your remaining teeth and gums following the loss of a tooth. When a tooth is missing, teeth can drift towards the gap. This can create alignment issues. Additionally, when a tooth is missing, the bone can begin to deteriorate where the tooth once was. A dentist can place a bridge to help keep your bone and jaw structure in tact.

    Dental Bridge in Bel Air MD