How To Achieve That Brighter, Whiter Smile You’ve Been Dreaming Of
Have you ever been excited for a big life event you had coming up? Your outfit is all picked out, the date is bolded on your calendar, and each day that passes surges with more anticipation than the last. There is only one thing that could ruin this momentous day and it’s the one thing you can’t get off your mind: the pictures. How am I going to enjoy looking back on this day if I look miserable in every photo? I hate my smile.
If you have felt this way before, don’t worry, you are not alone. Your smile is the first thing people see when they meet you, and it is completely normal to want it to be as beautiful as it can be. That’s why, at Valley Dental Clinic, we not only offer routine dental care, but also cosmetic dental options to help you achieve a brighter, whiter smile.
Why do people wish for whiter teeth?
Almost universally, our teeth lose their pearly whiteness over time. They fade, they lose their luster, and they stain. In fact, there are two different kinds of staining that happen to your teeth as you go through life. Some stains are caused by things outside of your control, like your genetics, aging, injuries, and even certain antibiotics that can cause discoloration to your teeth. However, other stains are easier to avoid, like coffee and red wine.
What are the best teeth whitening options?
1. Professional Teeth Whitening Solutions
One of the most common cosmetic procedures your dentist can provide to enhance your smile is professional whitening. It is the fastest and easiest way to reach your dream teeth shade in just one session. At Valley Dental Clinic, we offer both in-office and at-home professional teeth whitening solutions so your teeth whitening journey can be tailored to your preference.
Both of our whitening procedures are non-invasive and help dramatically whiten your smile in no time. Directly after the whitening procedure, be sure to avoid dark liquids like coffee and red wine, as your teeth are more vulnerable to stains right after getting them whitened. It is also important to keep up with your oral hygiene as usual, especially to help maintain the brightness you achieved at your dentist appointment for as long as possible. Professional whitening is not permanent and needs to be repeated in order to continue to maintain the desired color you want for your smile.
Over-the-counter whitening treatments are not as concentrated as professional whitening solutions, and are not monitored by a dentist, meaning the process takes much longer and is less reliable than going through your dentist. There are also many misconceptions about using at-home remedies, like baking soda or lemon juice, to whiten your teeth.
While these products might seem to work at first, they can actually cause more dental problems in the long run by either eroding your enamel, which is the protective barrier on your teeth, or altering your mouth’s bacteria levels. Professional teeth whitening is one of the best ways to correct extrinsic staining on your teeth as it bleaches the discolored tooth enamel and makes your smile lighter in the process.
2. Porcelain Veneers
If your smile concerns aren’t only about the color, but also shape, size, or position, another cosmetic dental practice that can boost your smile is porcelain veneers. Veneers are extremely thin shells that are made custom for you by your dentist to help correct a variety of complications.
If your tooth discoloration is caused by intrinsic stains, veneers are a great way to color-correct. Intrinsic stains originate below the tooth’s surface from the inside, meaning whitening solutions cannot correct them. Veneers can also be used to correct teeth shape, spacing, or length, giving you a movie star smile after only a couple in office visits to Valley Dental Clinic.
3. Bioclear
One of the latest techniques for cosmetic dental corrections is Bioclear. It is a unique form of dental bonding that uses transparent plastic molds and resin to create a beautiful, natural looking smile. Some benefits to Bioclear are that the results are long lasting. With good upkeep it generally lasts 10 years or more, and the beautiful results can usually be accomplished in just one visit to Dr. Rob.
You might be wondering about the differences between Bioclear and veneers. Bioclear is a noninvasive procedure applied to your natural teeth, while veneers require your natural teeth to be reduced slightly before being put on. The material also makes the two options different as Bioclear is made out of a plastic resin, and the veneers we offer at Valley Dental Clinic are made of porcelain.
Making the Right Tooth Whitening Decision for You
With so many cosmetic correction options, it is important that you talk to Dr. Rob about what solution is best for you. He and the team at Valley Dental Clinic are committed to making your dental dreams come true. With a new smile you can feel more confident when it’s time to “say cheese” at all your upcoming life events. Contact Valley Dental Clinic with all your questions on achieving your brightest, whitest smile today.