Cosmetic dentistry, although still very focused on all around oral care and well being, revolves around practices and procedures that have a pleasing appearance as the ultimate goal.

A cosmetic dentist can attack and usually repair all of the issues that make a patient feel uncomfortable about the current state of their smile.

Some of the normal procedures that would fall under the category of cosmetic dentistry are as follows:

Removing and Replacing Dark Metallic Fillings

Though some dentists today no longer use the metallic filler to repair cavities, there are thousands and thousands of people walking around with them and many of those people are a bit uncomfortable with the appearance of their teeth because of them.

There isn’t anything necessarily wrong with the old style metallic fillings, in fact they serve the purpose of repairing a damaged tooth very well, they just happen to be a fairly unattractive way of repairing the problem.

A cosmetic dentist can easily remove the old, unsightly metallic filling and repair the cavity with a tooth colored bonding that will be un-noticeable even at a relatively close distance. The problem will be fixed just the same as it were with the metallic filling, but it will be done in a way that will keep the patients smile as attractive as possible.

Straightening Crooked Teeth

Crooked teeth can, at times, be the cause of some discomfort to some patients, but even if there is no physical discomfort a crooked tooth will always detract from the smiles beauty. Today’s cosmetic dentists have more options available to repair this problem that just painful metal braces.

There are options available today like invisible, removable aligners that will rectify the problem of a crooked smile with no pain to the patient at all. This incredible innovation is a huge positive for anyone who is looking to repair a potentially big dental issue, but who doesn’t want to deal with the pain or the embarrassment of having it done with bulky metal braces.

Stains

Cigarette smokers, coffee drinkers and tea drinkers can all suffer from dark stains that make their smile unattractive. A good cosmetic dentist can easily and painlessly eliminate this unsightly problem and most likely recommend a good over the counter product that will help keep it under control between regular dental visits.

Spaces between Teeth or Missing Teeth

Gaps between the teeth, whether they stem from an unaligned smile or from missing teeth can totally ruin an otherwise beautiful smile. A qualified cosmetic dentist will be able to fill the small gaps seamlessly with invisible aligners or create a custom plate to fill the holes left by missing teeth to create a perfectly beautiful and natural smile.

For many people, a smile is a big part of the first impression. Many people are too embarrassed or insecure about the problems that exist with their teeth and they become shy or withdrawn in social situations, for those people, cosmetic dentistry can solve many of the problems that they face on a daily basis in dealing with others. A good cosmetic dentist can fix virtually all of the problems associated with general dentistry, but will do so in a fashion that helps perfect your smile at the same time.

Regardless of the issue that you have with your smile, a good cosmetic dentist will likely be able to fix it relatively quickly and painlessly. If problems with your smile are holding you back in social situations, and you have the money to fix them, a cosmetic dentist could certainly be the answer to your problem.

Teeth whitening products are everywhere and teens are feeling the pressure to have pearly whites that practically glow in the dark. But how long should a teen wait before attempting a tooth whitening experience?

When Teens Need Whitening Treatments

Most teens don`t actually need to whiten their teeth. However, for those who do smoke or drink coffee or colas, their teeth may become prematurely discolored and turn yellow. This is something that is normally associated with older people but if a teen is having this type of problem, it might be time to look into something a bit more extreme like teeth whitening.

The enamel on the teeth protects them and it can be damaged by heavy duty whitening procedures. While most over the counter treatments aren`t dangerous, it`s a good idea to speak with your dentist before attempting to bleach your own teeth. Dentists have charts to help compare the colors of teeth, but you can do a simple comparasion at home. Look the mirror, bare your teeth and open your eyes wide. The basic rule of thumb is that the teeth should be about the same shade of white as the whites of the eye.

There isn`t a specific age when teens should or shouldn`t whiten their teeth, but since repeated bleaching, particularly when done by someone who isn`t experienced, can cause problems in the long run, it`s best to hold off if it really isn`t needed.

Reasons to Whiten

Teens are at a sensitive stage of life. They are trying to adjust to being almost an adult, making their own decisions and trying to figure out just where they fit in. Anything that sets them apart from the masses can be very embarrassing and even traumatic. That`s why many parents decide to allow their teen to do a teeth whitening procedure.

Having yellow teeth can be a depressing state of affairs if you are in high school. For many teens who suffer from this problem, teeth whitening treatments is a way to boost their self esteem. It can really help turn those teen years around. Smiles can be freely given and it`s not surprising that more teens who are happy with their teeth smile more often and therefore appear more approachable and tend to have more friends.

Healthy Teeth Whitening

While a dentist can really give you the best whitening treatment, many teens try over the counter items instead, thanks to not enjoying visits to the dentist. There are plenty of different types of tooth whitening products available, some are better than others.

Whitening strips are quite effective, but they also tend to be fairly gentle on your teeth. Since teens still have a lot of life to live, taking good care of the teeth is vital. There are also toothpastes and mouthwashes that suggest they can help turn your yellowed teeth into pearly whites once again. These are usually not in contact with your mouth long enough to actually do much good, but they also won`t ruin the enamel on your teeth.

There are, however, some far stronger options on the market. You may or may not be able to get these online. They consist of applying gel to the teeth and often a protective mouthguard as well, to keep the bleaching gel against the teeth. These can be very harsh and teens should check with a cosmetic dentist before using this type of whitener.

Most teens don`t need to whiten those teeth, but for some, it will restore their self esteem and make them feel better about themselves. There seems to be no damage done when teens bleach occasionally, using the appropriate products, so there shouldn’t be any risk involved. When in doubt, go see your dentist.

The loss of teeth can cause a number of issues, including self esteem problems (if the space where the tooth is missing is visible) and biting difficulties. Dental implants are often the solution for missing teeth, replacing them with an anchored tooth, unlike a bridge or denture which is only set into the mouth and can be removed.

Dental implants have many benefits, but the main one is that they act just like a real tooth, making them ideal for younger people who would usually have many more years of chewing left and who may not be able to deal with dentures.

The Process

Dental implants have actually been around for thousands of years, since the Mayans used pieces of shell integrated into the jaw bone to replace teeth. Now the technology has advanced greatly, of course, but the idea remains the same. The durability of these replacement teeth comes from the fact that they are actually anchored in the bone. The process of the bone growing around the implant is called osseointegration.

Step One: Preparing the Jaw

The first thing the dentist needs to do is drill a hole in the empty socket, right down into the bone. This is a very delicate procedure, since a miscalculation could result in nerve damage or bone splintering. The first hole is quite small.

Step Two: Placement of the Screw

Next, the hole is carefully enlarged until a titanium screw can be screwed down into it. The top of the screw is capped and there is a 3-6 month waiting period as the bone grows around the implant anchor, firmly setting it in place. If the implant fails, it is during this step when the bone fails to integrate the screw into the jaw bone.

Step Three: Crown Placement The final step, once the titanium screw is anchored firmly in the jaw, is to add a permanent cap to the space. The temporary one is removed and the permanent one attached. At this point, it is literally impossible to tell the difference between your regular teeth and the dental implant. The new implants are stronger and more durable than dentures, as well, making them the perfect chewing surface.

Failure Rates

Lower jaw implants are slightly more successful (95%) than the upper jaw (90%), mainly due to the fact that the lower jaw has more mass and is able to receive the screws better. However, there are a number of factors that may contribute to a failed implant. The main reason is the lack of bone growth around the screw, but it isn`t the only cause.

Smokers tend to have a fairly high rate of dental implant failure, so it`s a good idea to quit smoking beforehand. Also, these new teeth aren`t invincible . . . they can be broken or infected just like normal teeth and bad hygiene affects them similarly, though implants cannot get cavities. Instead, they form gum disease.

New Procedures

With the advancement of technology, it`s been discovered that if you have a tooth pulled and immediately have the dental implant procedure done, the success rate is not only higher, but the speed at with osseointegration occurs is much faster, often resulting in a wait of just a few weeks, rather than months before the permanent cap can be applied.

Dental implants require undergoing oral surgery and can be uncomfortable, but the benefits are worth it. Being able to eat normally and smile without shame are just two of the big benefits of this procedure.

Herbs are an essential ingredient in a lot of common recipes. Their distinct flavors add a special touch to an otherwise unappetizing meal. But did you know that many of these same herbs can also be used to eliminate bad breath? It’s true, most ordinary cooking herbs are actually being used in many parts of the world as a natural alternative solution to the all too common problem of bad breath.

Eucalyptus: Australian aborigines, who chewed the roots for water in the dry outback, first used Eucalyptus. Inhalation of the vapor of eucalyptus oil aids in treating mucus-producing illnesses such as, asthma, bronchitis, whooping cough, and emphysema. The major constituent in eucalyptus leaves is a volatile oil known as eucalyptol Eucalyptus oil is said to function in a fashion similar to that of menthol by acting on receptors in the nasal mucus, leading to a reduction in symptoms such as nasal congestion.

However, this herb is best avoided internally as it can cause diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. You should not use the oil for infants under two years of age even for inhalation purposes because there is a danger or airway spasm leading to stoppage of breathing, a potentially fatal consequence. Then again the oil may increase bronchial spasms in asthmatics and shouldn’t be ingested by people with severe liver disease or any inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract or kidney.

Thyme: This fragrant plant is indigenous to the Mediterranean region of Europe and is extensively cultivated in the Untied States. The dried or partially dried leaves and flowering tops are used medicinally. Many constituents in thyme team up to provide its antitussive (preventing and treating a cough), antispasmodic, and expectorant (thinning the mucus to allow for coughing out) actions. Thyme, either alone or in combination with herbs such as sundew, continues to be one of the most commonly recommended herbs in Europe for the treatment of dry, spasmodic coughs as well as whooping cough. Due to the low toxicity of the herb, it has become a favorite for treating coughs in small children.

Despite this, you should still take extra care when administering thyme-based medications to very young children. Excessive dosages of this alternative medication can lead to complications in breathing.

Myrrh. This is an ancient aromatic resin used by Egyptians centuries ago in the preservation of their dead. Today, owing to its distinct fragrance, myrrh is primarily used as an essential ingredient of perfumes and incense. In the field of herbal medicine, myrrh is useful for the treatment of leprosy, syphilis and other major infections. Lately, it has been discovered that myrrh is excellent for several dental conditions that can inadvertently cause bad bread or halitosis. Besides keeping your breath fresh, myrrh can also reduce inflammation in the mouth and the throat.

Bloodroot. The active ingredients of this herb are mainly composed of alkaloids, usually sanguinarine. For many centuries, Native Americans have been using the dark red dye from the plant’s roots as body paint for all of their traditional rituals. Today, bloodroot is used in dental products such as toothpaste and mouthwash due to its ability to fight infection in the mouth and throat.

Side effects of Bloodroot can cause nausea and vomiting if taken in large amounts.

Caraway: This herb has been used medically for centuries. Its seeds help in digestion and also aid in easing colic pain, especially in children. It is a carminative; therefore it is used in helping gastrointestinal discomfort.

There are practically no side effects to consuming caraway in moderate amounts. However, the oil extracted from this herb must not be used on infants and children two years old and younger as this can cause some minor allergic reactions.

Peppermint. This is another common herb that is also used for medicinal purposes. Falling under the carminative category, peppermint is good for digestion because it helps to expel excess gas from the body.

Peppermint tea is generally considered safe for regular consumption. Peppermint oil can cause burning and gastrointestinal upset in some people.

Sage. For centuries, this herb has been used in thousands of recipes all over the world. Medically, sage leaves have a record of being an effective cure for sprains, inflammation and external wounds. In addition, sage extract can be used as a mouthwash to help eliminate infection from oral bacteria, as well as to treat sore throats and mild cough.

Very high amounts of Sage (several times greater than one receives if taking sage as instructed), may lead to convulsions.

At one time or another everyone must deal with having some bad breath, medically known as halitosis. This can leave us feeling very uneasy around other people. Many of us however, have the misconception that this foul odor is caused by our stomach when in fact is it due to our mouth, tonsils and throat.

Once this stinking odor sets in, it can be hard to remove. The bacteria that causes the odor needs very little to start spreading it stench. So, in order to get rid of bad breath we simply need to carry out some daily tasks.

The first technique to fighting bad breath is to monitor the foods you eat on a daily basis. There are foods we eat that our bodies will turn into sulfur. Now, if you have ever smelled sulfur you will know it is a horrible stench that smells just like rotten eggs. To avoid smelling like this, simply avoid consuming milk, garlic, onions, cheese, alcohol, fish, and coffee.

The second technique to fighting bad breath is to watch how many times you brush and floss your teeth. If you do not brush your teeth, the bacteria will start building up and cause you to develop halitosis or even gingivitis. To prevent this from happening and to help cure gingivitis, you should try to brush and floss after every meal.

The third technique to fighting bad breath is to make sure you brush your tongue. Most of the bacteria that lives in your mouth can be found near the backside of your tongue. Often when brushing our teeth, we either do not brush our tongue or we do not brush back far enough to kill the bacteria that thrive there. The best way to conquer this is to brush your tongue as far as you can go with your toothbrush or purchase a reasonably priced tongue scraper.

The fourth task you should carry out is to make sure you finish off your brushing routine with some mouthwash. This is important because the mouthwash can get to the germs which your toothbrush and floss can not reach. Mouthwash is also an effective gum disease treatment. Just make sure you rinse your mouth enough to cover all of your teeth and reach the back of your mouth.

The fifth technique to fighting bad breath is to make sure that your mouth never becomes dry. The reason for this is that bacteria thrive in a dry atmosphere. By keeping your mouth moist, you will trigger your saliva glands to start working which helps slow bacteria growth, washes the plaque away from your teeth, reduces the effect of the acids in your stomach, and prevents tooth decay. If bad breath is a problem, try and carry water with you to help keep your mouth wet throughout the day.

There is no reason to constantly hide in shame due to having bad breath. You can simply apply these techniques to your daily schedule to get rid of bad breath. Just remember to avoid the foods that cause you to smell like rotten eggs and to take care of your mouth appropriately.