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How Does Teeth Whitening Work? Is It Safe For…

August 30, 2019
by Jacqueline

A bright white smile can leave you feeling a lot more confident. If your teeth are yellower than you would like them to be, you might be curious about some of the whitening methods out there. However, you probably have a few questions you’ll want answers to before you start whitening your teeth. How does teeth whitening work? Is it safe, or will it damage your teeth?

If you take the time to learn more about the various methods of teeth whitening — and some of the risks associated with it — you’ll be able to find your best path to a brighter smile.

There Are All Kinds Of Whitening Products On The Market

From bleach strips to whitening kits, there are all kinds of over-the-counter whitening products available. These products often use strong ingredients like hydrogen peroxide to lighten teeth. However, one of the ingredients most commonly used in professional whitening treatments, carbamide peroxide, is absent from over-the-counter options.

The quality of these products varies wildly, which is why it’s best to read reviews before purchasing any product. It’s also wise to look for products that have the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance. These products have been evaluated by professionals and are safer for your teeth.

The Risks Of Teeth Whitening

There are a number of risks associated with teeth whitening, and it’s important to be aware of these pitfalls before applying any products to your teeth. One of the most common side effects people experience after whitening their teeth is increased sensitivity. This may make it difficult to eat hot or cold foods.

Another common risk is gum irritation. While whitening products are designed to be applied to the teeth, they aren’t designed to be safely applied to the gums. It’s easy to slip up and place some products on your gum, which can cause pain, discomfort, and even lesions.

It’s particularly dangerous to use these kinds of products if you have serious dental issues. If you haven’t seen a dentist in a long time, you’ll want to do that before trying any sort of whitening.

There Are Plenty Of Natural Ways To Whiten Your Teeth

If you’re apprehensive about harsh whitening kits, you should know that there are a lot of natural teeth whitening methods. While the success of these methods varies from one person to the next, they’re a low-risk option you should absolutely try out.

From brushing your teeth with baking soda to oil pulling, there are so many simple and effective ways to make your teeth look a little bit whiter. There are even fruits, like strawberries, that have naturally whitening capabilities. Take a look in your cupboards and see if there are any products you can use to whiter teeth.

Try A Different Toothpaste

One of the most important ways of achieving and maintaining a white and healthy smile is to brush and floss your teeth daily. If you use a toothpaste that was designed with whitening in mind, you should see some impressive results.

Toothpaste with baking soda is a safe bet if you’re hoping to lighten your teeth. In recent years, charcoal toothpaste has been getting a lot of positive attention. The toothpaste is black, which makes it a little strange to use, but it’s a fantastic way to whiten your smile without harming your teeth or your gums.

It’s Best To Talk To A Dentist About Teeth Whitening

If you want a brighter smile, but have concerns about harming your teeth and gums, speaking with your dentist is the best option. It’s becoming increasingly common for dentists to offer whitening treatments in the office. Professional whitening yields more dramatic results, and you can trust your dentist to take precautions to keep your teeth safe.

This doesn’t mean that you have to avoid at-home whitening treatments. If you get a clean bill of health from your dentist, you should be able to whiten your teeth with minimal issues. With that said, speaking with your dentist can give you essential information that will help you decide what to do next.

Don’t be afraid to ask a few questions before you start whitening your teeth. Even if a healthy-looking smile is your goal, you’ll want to make sure you don’t do anything that will damage your teeth or gums.

Dentist

Top Daily Tips For A Beautiful Smile

October 10, 2018
by Jacqueline

Having a beautiful smile is more than just a one-time procedure. You must also maintain that beautiful smile over many years.

In this article, we’re going to cover some of the best ways you can maintain a smile that is brilliant looking and healthy!

1. Brush enough, but not too much

It’s important to brush your teeth. We recommend brushing at least twice a day, but not more than four times a day.

If you can, try to brush your teeth in the morning when you get up. After lunch and again before you go to bed.

This will be enough to help prevent tartar build up, but not too much to damage your enamel.

Brushing too much can actually damage the enamel that’s on your teeth. The enamel is your teeth’s natural protector. Brushing too much will wear this down and worn down enamel can have a multitude of negative effects.

Worn down enamel can:

Cause your teeth to look slightly discolored
Increase your teeth’s sensitivity to hot and cold
Make your teeth more susceptible to cavities and other oral conditions

So again, it’s important to brush, but just be careful you’re not brushing too much.

2. Use Proper Brushing Technique

Using proper brushing technique is critical in maintaining proper oral health and keeping your teeth looking white and clean.

You want to maintain a constant and consistent pressure on your teeth to make sure you’re actually cleaning off the plaque and tartar, but you want to avoid pressing down too strongly on your teeth as this will damage your enamel.

You also want to make sure you’re thoroughly brushing all of your teeth. If you have difficulty with this step, try using a stopwatch and spend a predetermined amount of time on each side of your mouth. This will help you brush long enough, but not too long.

Two recommendations we have for sustaining a proper brushing technique are:

A. Choose the right toothbrush – you’re going to want to make sure you choose a toothbrush that is the right firmness for your teeth. Generally, you will have soft, medium and hard bristled toothbrushes.

We generally recommend going with a medium bristled toothbrush. This is going to give bristles that will actually be able to clean off the plaque from your teeth but shouldn’t be too hard that your toothbrush is going to damage your enamel.

Overall, try to avoid using a hard bristled toothbrush. This level of firmness over time is likely going to cause damage to your teeth and enamel.

Also, unless your teeth are especially sensitive, try to avoid a soft-bristled toothbrush.

If your budget will allow, our number 1 toothbrush choice is an Oral B electric toothbrush. This brand consistently delivers excellent electric toothbrushes that will allow you to brush your teeth, get them clean and greatly reduce the chance of you overbrushing and damaging your teeth.

B. Choose the right toothpaste – this is a critical step that has come under fire over the last few years with many people claiming you either don’t need toothpaste or that you should avoid toothpaste with fluoride in it. Most of these claims are unsubstantiated and should be taken with a grain of salt.

Toothpaste is an important ingredient in proper brushing technique and fluoride has been proven time after time to be a safe and effective mineral used to strengthen your teeth’s enamel.

Our favorite toothpaste brand and type is Colgate’s Total Toothpaste. We’ve seen great results with this toothpaste and definitely recommend it.

One note here, since many people want to have whiter teeth, there has been an increased use of whitening toothpaste. These can be good and effective at bringing some whiteness to your teeth, but they do contain extra ingredients and we recommend not only using a whitening toothpaste. Try changing out every other time you go through a toothpaste tube.

3. Floss Regularly and Properly

It’s amazing how many people don’t floss.

I don’t say that to be mean, but flossing is an important part of a proper oral hygiene routine and is critical in keeping your smile looking its best.

Have you ever seen someone with yellow in between their teeth?

If you have, you know that this is not the definition of a beautiful smile, but it is all too frequent and it is easily avoidable.

When you floss, you are removing the food, plaque, and tartar that has built up during the day in between your teeth. It only takes a couple of minutes, but the long-term payoff is huge.

Flossing twice a day will help your teeth’s long-term health and help keep your teeth looking white.

The main thing to watch while flossing is to not floss too hard. Your goal is to clean in between your teeth, but not to make your gums bleed.

So keep the right pressure as your using your flossing and bringing in between your teeth.

If you notice that your gums always bleed, no matter how gentle or cautious you are while flossing, this could be a sign of gum disease and you should get your gums looked at by your dentist as soon as possible!

If you follow these simple oral hygiene tips you’ll be amazed at how beautiful and healthy of a smile you’ll maintain for years to come!

Braces

Perfect Review Of Invisalign

September 2, 2017September 2, 2017
by Jacqueline

Great review and example of the power effects that Invisalign can have on your life. If you have teeth problems, don’t get discouraged, just get Invisalign braces!

Braces

The Advantages of Invisalign Braces For Your Jacksonville Teeth

September 2, 2017August 30, 2019
by Jacqueline

Have you thought about getting braces? You may want to get them because your teeth are not straight. Achieving the perfect smile is often made possible with the use of braces. However, there is an alternative option to the traditional metal braces that some people wear. You could wear Invisalign and start straightening your teeth without anyone noticing.

Straighten Discreetly

Not sure you like the idea of wearing braces because you know everyone would see them? If you are an adult, you may feel a bit ridiculous about wearing metal on your mouth. However, Invisalign offers a completely simple and convenient solution. Rather than wearing bulky metal on your teeth, you can wear plastic aligners that are invisible.

Invisalign gives you the option of straightening your teeth in a discreet manner. You could hold conversations and smile with confidence while straightening your teeth and no one would be the wiser. It is one of many reasons people prefer this method of straightening their teeth over some other methods.

Dr. Farnham, a Jacksonville DMD, says that “Invisalign braces are a great alternative to traditional braces. Not only do you get the benefits of straighter teeth, you no longer have to worry about the negative impact the look of metal braces can have on you.” He also said, “You no longer have to restrict yourself to only seeing an orthodontist for braces as many dentists now offer Invisalign fittings to their patients. Visit our business profile for more information.”

Remove Your Braces When You Eat

When it comes to wearing those typical metal braces, it is easy for all kinds of food particles to get stuck between the brackets. Do you know how difficult it is to remove those particles? You would likely have to use special tools designed specifically for those with braces. It could become such a nuisance for someone who has a busy schedule and cannot spend all day cleaning their teeth.

Dr. Muccioli, a dentist in Atlanta, says “Unlike those traditional options, Invisalign gives you the opportunity to remove your braces when you eat. Now you do not have to stop eating certain foods, such as hard pretzels or popcorn. Some of these foods are not recommended for those with metal braces, but you would be able to eat them if you wear Invisalign because you could take the plastic aligners off before eating.”

When you want to drink or eat something, simply remove your aligners and place them in a safe spot until you are finished and ready to put them back on. It is super simple and convenient. After all, who wants to stop eating some of their favorite foods while straightening their teeth? Now you can have the best of both worlds without giving any of your favorite foods up.

Keep Your Teeth as Clean as Possible

A good oral hygiene routine is important. However, it is often a bit more of a challenge to clean teeth properly when you are wearing braces. The metal covers a large portion of the tooth, so brushing is not as simple as it was before you had the braces put on. Even something as simple as flossing between the teeth would become more of a challenge because you would not be able to floss the way you once did if you were wearing the metal braces.

What if you could easily keep your teeth clean while still focusing on straightening them out? Invisalign gives you that chance. You can remove the aligners when you want to brush, floss, and rinse your mouth out with a special mouthwash. You can keep your teeth clean and sparkly while still working on straightening them out so that they look amazing.

Straighten With Ease

You may want to get braces to help resolve several dental issues you are dealing with, such as overcrowding or even tooth gaps. If your teeth are crooked and you do not like the way your smile looks, you may want to work on straightening the teeth so that you can smile with a lot of confidence. Invisalign is an alternative to those traditional braces that people usually wear.

If you were to get Invisalign, your dentist or orthodontist could take molds of your teeth before creating a set of different aligners you would need to wear regularly. You would need to wear those aligners as much as possible to achieve the best results. You should only take them off to eat, brush, or even floss your teeth.

The great thing about these types of braces is that they do work and they give people a chance to go through the straightening process without wearing bulky metal. If you are ready to start working on improving the overall look of your teeth, consider seeing a dental expert to discuss Invisalign.

Dental Work

How Your Smile Can Affect Your Career

September 1, 2017August 30, 2019
by Jacqueline

Your appearance, the way you speak and your body language are all taken into account when you first meet a person to create a lasting impression. Few other instances are as important as making a great first impression than when you are going for a job interview.

One of the most important factors that interviewees often neglect to take into account is their ability to smile. A smile does not just reflect that you are happy but expresses self-confidence and competence. How you smile, when you smile and what your smile says about you can mean the difference between getting that dream job and not being considered as a viable candidate.

But in order to smile, you first need the confidence to do so. Most people fail to smile because they have dental or oral hygiene problems. Bad breath, cavities, discolored or missing teeth can all contribute to a lack of confidence to smile. Never mind the nerves that go along with presenting yourself at what could be a career altering interview.

These factors can also negatively impact that first impression. Bad oral and dental hygiene speaks to a lack of personal care, attention to detail and even a lack of education or class. All of these can be disadvantageous in an interview setting.

In order to ensure that you have the confidence to smile and present yourself in the best light possible, there are some steps you can take:

1. Dental Visits

It is important to visit the dentist at least every year (six months if possible). This consultation will help detect any problems early on and ensure that they are dealt with. It is also advisable to see an oral hygienist at this time to have your teeth professionally cleaned. This is a great way to avoid dental issues such as tooth discoloration and wear and tear on the enamel that covers the teeth and prevent other oral health issues.

2. Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is not just for those who have existing discoloration of the teeth but can turn your existing smile brighter for a greater impact. There are different types of teeth whitening procedures available but it is recommended to have this professionally done in a dentist’s rooms rather than opting for home whitening kits.

To correct discoloration, be aware that more than one session may be required to even out the tone and restore the teeth to their former coloration. It is not recommended to overdo your tooth whitening to the extent that your smile appears unnatural. Keep in mind that the natural tooth color is off-white and a smile that is too bright can be misleading, presenting you as fake or even vain.

3. Fillings

It is recommended to have all cavities filled as soon as possible in order to prevent the teeth from deteriorating further as well as to improve your smile. Stay away from gold or other colored fillings as these can provide the wrong impression, especially on your front teeth. Rather opt for white fillings that compliment the natural color of your teeth.

Keep in mind that when you have a teeth whitening treatment, it will not have the same effect on the filled area. Teeth that have not been filled can be oversensitive and make this procedure extremely painful.

4. Cracked, Broken And Missing Teeth

There are a wide range of dental procedures available to restore cracked, broken or missing teeth. Porcelain veneers are the most effective and popular choice as they provide the most natural look for cracked and broken teeth. Dental crowns are also effective at restoring broken teeth.

Bridges are most commonly used to replace 1 or even 2 missing teeth. Where more teeth are missing, dental implants may be recommended. Alternatively, full or partial dentures may be the best route available to create the appearance that no teeth are missing or damaged.

If you are concerned that your smile is not representing you in the best light, make an appointment with a dentist today to discuss the different options available to you. Make sure that your qualifications, skills, and experience are the factors that are taken into account in acing that all important job interview and not just your appearance.

Smiles

Super Simple Tips To Keep Your Teeth White

September 1, 2017September 2, 2017
by Jacqueline

Check out this video on some really simple teeth whitening tips.

Why are you living with discolored teeth?

Like really, why?

Check this video out and learn some amazing secrets to brighter..whiter..radiant teeth!

Dentist

4 Natural Ways to Whiten and Brighten Teeth

September 1, 2017August 30, 2019
by Jacqueline

The look of confidence a bright, white smile gives is something that everyone wants. Teeth tend to become discolored over time, but there are many things you can do to restore whiteness. If you are not ready to undergo a dentist’s treatment using sophisticated bleaching products, you can still get your bright smile back with less expensive, natural whiteners.

Causes of Tooth Discoloration

Tooth enamel can become discolored due to constant exposure to things like coffee, tea, colas, red wine or tobacco. One way to start undoing any damage caused by these things is to eliminate them altogether. There are other ways that teeth can get yellow or stained and these include illness, injury or aging.

Excess exposure to fluoride at a young age can often lead to yellowing teeth later on. Some antibiotics and other medicines have caused people to experience dulling tooth enamel.

Finally, some tooth discoloration is genetic. This means that if anyone in your family before you experienced yellowing of the teeth it could happen to you. This does not mean you cannot brighten your smile if you have a genetic tooth discoloration. You can.

There is a misconception that yellow or discolored teeth are due to poor dental hygiene. Of course, if you neglect brushing and flossing your teeth they will suffer for it. If you skip regular dental checkups and cleaning, your smile cannot be as white as possible. However, it is not just poor dental hygiene that causes tooth yellowing.

No matter what is causing your tooth enamel to dull, you can do several things about it. There are many natural products that you can use to whiten teeth. These work just as effectively as over-the-counter whiteners but do not contain any harsh chemicals.

4 Natural Products to Try

The four products you want to choose from include baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, apple cider vinegar, activated charcoal and coconut oil. These are all easy to obtain at any food, drug or health food store.

To get whiter teeth using baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, you can either make a toothpaste with them or use them separately as a paste and a mouth rinse. Take some baking soda and mix the hydrogen peroxide with it to create a tooth paste. You only need to mix enough to fit on the head of your toothbrush.

Brush your teeth with this homemade paste for about 30 seconds and then rinse well with water. Be careful not to brush too hard. The baking soda is extremely abrasive and it can cause damage to tooth enamel. The good news about the abrasiveness of baking soda is that not only will it help remove stains, it also gets rid of plaque, a primary cause of cavities and tooth decay.

You can also try rinsing your mouth for a minute every morning with hydrogen peroxide. It can work on its own to remove stains. Or, try brushing your teeth with baking soda alone. It will also help restore whiteness. You only want to use it a few times a week until you get the whiteness you desire.

Apple cider vinegar is another good natural substance to use to whiten teeth. Swish some around your mouth for about a minute and do this every day for about a month to get white teeth. The acid in the vinegar helps break down plaque and it kills bacteria. This is how it helps make teeth brighter. Always brush teeth with regular toothpaste and rinse thoroughly after using it because of how acidic it is.

Activated charcoal should be mixed with some water and then brush or dab it onto the teeth to cover them. Wait three minutes and then rinse. Charcoal can lift stains from coffee or wine but it should only be used occasionally because it is very abrasive.

Coconut oil pulling is another natural whitener. After brushing teeth, swish the oil around your mouth for up to 20 minutes. Your mouth and gums will become healthier as the coconut oil is naturally antimicrobial.

To get whiter teeth without the chemicals or the cost of dental treatments – try out one of these methods for yourself.

Dental Work

Stop Hiding Your Smile

August 12, 2017
by Jacqueline

Hey You!

Yeah, I’m talking to you!

Do you feel like you’re constantly having to hide your smile because of how your teeth look?

Maybe they’re crooked, or yellow, or..you name it. Maybe you just have a big gap in the middle of your two front teeth.

What ever the issue is, you’ve come to the right place!

At Smile Great, we’re dedicated to revealing our patient’s amazingly beautiful smiles everyday. Our passion it to help you find the smile that you deserve. One that you’re excited to share with others.

Did you know that 85% of people say that one of the highlights of their day is being smiled at by someone they love?

If you don’t feel comfortable being able to smile, you’re literally robbing the world of joy.

Do you want to be a joy giver?

Then you need a smile that allows you to do that, without any of the insecurities that goes along with inferior looking teeth.

If this is something you’re interested in, please check back soon as we launch our practice’s website!

Some tips for a whiter smile!

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