Our general dentists offer a range of treatments to help their patients enhance the beauty of their smiles. No matter what the problem is with your teeth, a cosmetic dentist can work with you to find a solution that is both functional and beautiful. Here are a few common dental problems that cosmetic dentistry can help to solve.
 
Stained teeth
 
Stains on your teeth can be caused by smoking, drinking red wine or black coffee, or eating certain foods. Even if you are careful to avoid all the above, stains can build up over time. Cosmetic dentists offer teeth whitening procedures that use hydrogen peroxide gel to remove stains. The process is carefully controlled to ensure that the whitening chemicals that are used do not damage the teeth.
 
Cracks and chips
 
It is amazing how much just one chipped tooth can dent your confidence. Veneers can cover up teeth that are affected by cracks, chips, or extensive staining. Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain that are fitted to the front edge of a tooth, creating the appearance of a flawless smile.
 
Dental decay
 
Almost everyone needs to have a tooth filled every once in a while. The most attractive option for repairing a cavity is to use a dental composite, also known as a white filling. Many dentists now offer white composite fillings as an alternative to traditional metal fillings.
 
Missing teeth
 
There are now many options for replacing missing teeth. A single missing tooth can be replaced using a dental bridge, which uses the two adjacent teeth to support a false tooth that fills the gap. Alternatively, a dental implant can be fitted directly into the gum.
 
For people who have lost many or all of their teeth, titanium implants can be fitted beneath the gum line to support realistic-looking crowns. Many people find that these implants feel more comfortable and stable than dentures. Dental implants are a great option for rebuilding the smiles of people who have been affected by tooth loss.
 
If you feel that your teeth are holding you back from being the confident person you want to be, do not hesitate to contact a cosmetic dentist. There are options available to treat almost any dental problem and enhance the appearance of your smile.

Across the globe, the recommended age for a child's first dental visit is 1 year, or within 6 months of eruption of the first tooth. While this is what almost all dental associations prescribe and advocate, not many parents follow this. The most common reason being 'Milk teeth will fall off anyhow, what's the point getting them checked?'

Why First Dental Visits Important

In the last decade, the number of 5 year olds with dental caries is on the rise (one study conducted by Toronto Public Health placed it at 11.6% in 2005-2006) With increased reliance on processed foods and dietary supplements, children are at a higher risk for tooth decay than before. Even though they fall off, milk teeth stay in a child's mouth till the age of 12, and an infected milk tooth can adversely affect overall oral health as well the permanent teeth which are yet to erupt. A visit to the dentist at age 1, will help parents -

1) Identify and tackle any decay early on, if it exists

2) Learn how to best care for their infant's mouth (how to clean their mouth)

3) Understand the impact dietary habits and other habits (such as thumb sucking) have on a child's teeth and oral health.

4) Discuss things like use of fluorides and how best to prevent decay.

Get yourself Ready First

While it is essential to prepare a child for his first dental visit, it is equally essential to prepare parents. As adults we are biased towards dental treatment because of previous experiences. It is imperative that parents do not transfer their fear to children. Parents need to be relaxed when they take their child to a dentist. Infants aren't seated in the dental chair alone, they are made to sit in their parents' laps and examined. This makes it even more important for parents to be calm, so that the child can be calm as well. Before going to a clinic, it is advisable for parents to think about the questions they would like answered, and go prepared. At the first visit, your dentist will spend quite some time discussing about the child's general health, history and things that are linked to oral health. These include- habits such as thumb/finger sucking, teething, dietary habits, method of cleaning, etc. It helps to have another adult accompany you for the visit.

Now, get the Kid Prepared

A child's first dental visit can be stressful, for both parents and the child. The environment is new, as are the people. Children can easily get cranky in such situations. Carry your child's favorite toy or blanket or teething item to keep him occupied. Also, dress him up in comfortable clothes, carry an extra diaper and a snack for your child. These seem like small things, but help the child identify the dental office as a safe comfortable place because of the familiarity. A successful first visit to the dentist prepares the child for a life free form the fear of dentists.

It is imperative to always have a healthy hygiene. But lots of people forget that keeping their teeth and mouth clean is also a part of overall healthy hygiene. Additionally, keeping your teeth clean involves a lot more than just brushing and flossing. It is just the first step to keep your teeth clean. Keeping problems like plaque at bay can be really difficult with just brushing and flossing. Moreover, there are several other issues too that can happen over time.

In such instances, professional dental cleaning becomes really important. In addition to just maintaining oral hygiene practices at home, a professional dental cleaning will ensure your teeth stay in good shape. The early yellow stains you see on your teeth are the first signs of plaque. Plaque builds up over time due to deposits of food particles, which if not brushed away effectively, leads to tartar. Gradually, the growing levels of plaque react with saliva and forms tartar. Thus all you need to do to stop its growth is to floss and brush after every meal.

Once tartar builds up on your teeth, it is primary step to gingivitis, which is an inflammation of the gums. By a dentist, you can easily get this problem treated without much pain or discomfort. But, if you don't treat gingivitis you are creating base for periodontal disease. Periodontal disease can cause loss of bone that supports your teeth and then the loss of tooth itself. Therefore, it is very essential that you know that maintain health of your teeth is really important. By following good dental hygiene and keeping a watchful eye on your teeth, probability is that you will need dental cleaning only once or twice in a year.

In the past few years, dental teeth cleaning techniques and technology has grown leaps and bounds. Thus the procedure can be completed in just one visit. Dentists prefer the use of ultrasonic cleaning equipment. Equipments like this speed up the process and does a better job than hand equipments. This equipment cleans not just your teeth, but also the sections between the teeth and the gum line, ensuring proper oral health.

It is an almost painless technique and produces very gentle ultrasonic vibrations at high speed. So, usually no anesthetic is needed for the procedure. Dentists also use rotary machine to remove the plaque left under the gums.

Feel free to contact Smile Whitening Express to schedule a dental cleaning appointment.