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While some of you wonder how long veneers last on front teeth, it helps you understand how they are applied to the teeth. Dental veneers generally contain composite resin or porcelain. They are thin shells custom-made to fit the teeth, especially the front teeth.

When are Veneers Used?

Dental veneers help improve the appearance of discolored or stained teeth, resulting from several different factors. For example, making coffee, tea, wine, and smoking can cause tooth discoloration.

Dental veneers also changed the shape of uneven, misaligned, chipped, and worn-down teeth. They perform these activities painlessly and effectively. Veneers also help in closing small gaps between your teeth.

Veneers are the best intermediate if you want to change the color or shape of your teeth with more than bonding, but your problems are not significant enough for a crown.

In addition, veneers have an advantage over crowns in that they need only a small amount of enamel removal from your natural teeth. However, if you need an alternative solution, you can wear crowns.

Who Is a Candidate for Veneers?

If you’re a victim of frowning at your smile in the mirror, you may be asking yourself if veneers are the right choice. Veneers are not the best solution for seriously damaged teeth, but crowns are. Veneers may be the right option if your teeth are:

• Discolored
• Chipped or fractured
• Undersized

You’ll also require to get information from your dentist if the veneers are covered by insurance. Depending on your situation, veneers might be considered a cosmetic treatment. If that’s the case, your treatment won’t be covered by insurance.

Before getting veneers to, talk to your dentist about the look you desire to achieve, your budget, and the options that will suit you best. If you’re clear about everything, you can get the dental veneers near you.

How are Veneers Fitted?

When getting your veneers in Phoenix, AZ, our dentist will determine if you’re an ideal candidate for veneers. If you qualify as one, the dentist will impression your teeth. They’ll then send the image to the dental laboratory to create a veneer that matches your teeth’s color and shape. Before placing the veneer, a small amount of enamel is removed from your tooth to make a smooth appearance when the veneer is being placed.

When the veneer is placed on your tooth, your dentist will check to ensure it is in the right color and shape. Making sure that the veneer fits perfectly, your dentist might remove and reshape and trim it one or more times. After you as a patient approves of how the veneer feels and looks, your dentist will bond it to the tooth.

After a couple of weeks, you’re recommended to do a follow-up visit to Healthy Smiles in Phoenix, AZ. Our dentist will check the placement and comfort of your veneer.

How Long Do Dental Veneers Last?

With proper oral care and following the right precautions, your veneers can last between 10-30 years. While you can eat almost everything you like, it is advised you exercise the right precautions since veneers are not indestructible. Porcelain is glass, and when excessive pressure is applied to it, it can shatter. Do not chew on ice or open a bottle cap with your teeth or bite your fingernails because these activities can lead to cracking o the veneer. If you grind your teeth at night, make sure you wear a mouthguard when sleeping.

Do Dental Veneers Destroy Your Teeth?

This is one of the most questions our dentists in Ahwatukee, AZ, receive. The answer is no. Dental veneers do not ruin your natural teeth. In fact, they are designed to enhance your tooth’s naturally beautiful appearance. We have veneers custom-designed to fit your smile in our offices. Visit us and get the perfect veneer working on your teeth.

Do you Brush Veneers?

It is uncommon to think that you don’t need to brush and floss your veneers, thinking that the veneers might be damaged. But this isn’t the case at all. Our dentist in Phoenix, AZ, will advise you on how to care for your veneers by brushing and flossing regularly.

Your teeth are susceptible to decay that forms cavities in your tooth. A niche represents permanent damage in your tooth that requires you to have dental fillings in them for restoration. The thought of getting your teeth filled may scare you to think about an effective procedure causing immense pain and considerable expenditure. However, a filling is your only option if you have a cavity in your tooth. Leaving the hole untreated creates further damage to your tooth to require expensive treatments from dentists.

When dentists recommend dental fillings to seal a cavity, they provide you with a restorative material that helps safeguard your oral health by inhibiting the bacteria in the hole from creating more damage. Unfortunately, if you neglect your dentist’s recommendation to get a dental filling in your tooth, the condition exacerbates until the bacteria get to your dental pulp and creates significant damage causing you to need root canal treatment and a dental crown to protect your tooth.

You may also worry about the dental filling cost in AZ, especially if you live in or near a high-flying area. However, the prices of fillings are relatively affordable than the costs of expensive dental treatments if you allow the infection to progress in your mouth. Therefore the better option for you is to get the tooth restored as recommended by the dentist without worrying about the costs.

As you are concerned about the prices of dental fillings, dentists charge you for the type of filling material used and how many surfaces need restoration in a single tooth. The extent of the decay and the location of your tooth also play a role in the fees for the material charged by dentists.

Silver amalgam fillings, the most affordable material, can cost $ 50-$ 150 on one or two surfaces. If you need fillings on three or more surfaces, silver amalgam fillings will cost you $ 120-$ 300. If you have a cavity on your front tooth and need composite resin fillings expect the costs in the range of $ 90-$ 250 for one or two surfaces. However, if you need composite resin on three or more surfaces, expect prices in the field of $ 150-$ 450 or more. However, dental insurance covers most dental fillings, and you might receive reimbursement for the prices you pay when restoring your tooth. Please expect to pay higher prices if you have inlays or Onlays, also known as indirect restorations. The prices for these restorations cost approximately $ 250-$ 4500 or more depending on the size, complexity, and materials of the repair. However, please do not expect dental insurance to reimburse you for these fillings.

What to Expect When Getting a Filling?

When you visit your dentist for exams, and they detect a cavity in your tooth, expect them to perform an exam taking dental x-rays to determine the extent of the damage. Expect the dentist to discuss the filling materials with you before you accept their proposal to have your tooth filled.

When getting your teeth filled for a cavity, you can expect to receive local anesthesia near the affected tooth to numb the area. After that, the dentist cleans the cavity of bacteria and debris to prepare your tooth for the filling.

How Do I Know I Have a Cavity?

Determining that you have a cavity is pretty challenging unless you have the infrastructure needed to detect them. Even experienced dentists are sometimes confused by minor blemishes on your teeth that resemble holes. It is why dentists recommend annual x-rays to determine whether you have micro-cavities on your teeth and between them and recommend the filling procedure immediately to prevent additional damage. The best way to decide whether or not you have a cavity is to visit your dentist every six months for exams where the professional provides an expert opinion on whether your teeth are affected or not.

Do I Need a Filling?

If you have a niche in your tooth, the optimal restoration available to safeguard it is a filling. You can either have a filler in the tooth to seal the cavity or prepare yourself to lose the tooth in a few months and replace it with artificial teeth. Unfortunately, your teeth do not have a mechanism to heal themselves and rely on external help from you and your dentist for restorations. Therefore if you even have a micro-cavity in your teeth, the only method available for restoring it is a dental filler available from dentists at affordable prices than expensive dental treatments.

If you’re looking for a dental filling in Phoenix? Remember, getting a dental filling is the best option to restore your tooth and protect it from further damage. Don’t delay your treatment; visit our dentist near you at Healthy Smiles in Phoenix for professional teeth whitening, emergency dental services, and more.

A hygienic oral cavity is key to good oral health. Tooth decay does not knock before you lose a tooth or two. It is always better to visit the dentist regularly to ensure that the plaque and tartar are removed. A sticky layer called plaque forms on the enamel. The plaque solidifies to form tartar and provides the thriving ground for bacterial activity if not removed.

Why Are Dental Exams and Deep Cleans Important?

Before you understand the need for deep cleans and dental examination, you need to understand these processes. Dental examinations are routine tests conducted regularly to diagnose dental or periodontal diseases. Dental examinations are part of preventive dentistry and can keep the dental cavity checked.

The dentist near you can perform a physical examination of the oral cavity, the neck, and throat to look for signs of cavities, periodontal diseases, or even oral cancer. The dentists also use X-rays, ultrasounds, or CT scans to view the areas not visible to the naked eye.

Dental cleaning is another part of preventive dentistry to prevent deterioration of dental health. Hygienists or dentists perform a professional and deep cleaning of your oral cavity, including the tongue, teeth, gums, and the space between teeth. You might brush or floss, but it is not enough to remove all the debris or stuck food particles.

Dental cleaning ensures that the bacteria cannot thrive inside your oral cavity and the mouth can be free from infections. Professional cleaning involves different procedures, including:

• Brushing: – The dentist uses an electric brush and special toothpaste to brush your teeth thoroughly. The quick strokes of an electric brush can clean the teeth better than that of a traditional brush.
• Dental Floss: – Deep cleaning involves flossing of the teeth. Dental floss is the best way to remove food particles stuck between the teeth. Flossing also removes plaque and tartar.
• Rinsing: – Once the debris is removed through brushing and flossing, the hygienist thoroughly raises the mouth using an antiseptic solution to remove the stuck food particles and plaque.
• Fluoride Treatment: – Deep cleaning might involve scrapping the enamel to remove the tartar. The deep cleaning is completed with a fluoride treatment to enrich the enamel with fluoride. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that strengthens the teeth and protects them from further cavities.

Deep cleaning and dental examination have immense benefits, including:

• Early Detection of Infections: – Some periodontal diseases do not have prominent symptoms or might have misleading symptoms initially. Dentists are experienced in detecting gum infections or cavities, and deep cleaning can diagnose such disease quickly.
• Better Oral Health: – Deep cleaning can boost your oral health, and you can maintain it at home too. Once the dentist cleans your mouth thoroughly, you can maintain it at home with regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing the mouth with mouthwash.
• Early Detection of Oral Cancer: – The comprehensive oral examination involves the physical inspection of the neck and throat in addition to the oral cavity. Dental cleanings and exams might detect unusual growth or liaisons in the oral cavity, which can be early signs of cancer.
• Diagnose of TMJ Disorder: – A dental examination can identify the temporomandibular joint disorder and treat it effectively. The temporomandibular joints are placed on either side of the jaws, below the ears, and help in the smooth movement of the jaws. The early symptoms of TMJ disorder can be misleading, and oral examination aids in early detection.
• Rectifying Grinding: – Bruxism or clenching of the teeth can be detrimental to oral health. Clenching of teeth can cause permanent damage to the teeth, including cracking or chipping. Oral examination can detect and treat bruxism.

Schedule Your Routine Exams

Visiting the dentist at regular intervals for an oral examination is a good habit to prevent damage to the oral cavity. If you are looking for a dentist in Phoenix, AZ, Healthy Smiles can be your destination. At Healthy Smiles, we provide patient-centric dental care through experienced dentists and advanced technology.

You can book an appointment online and avail comprehensive dental examination just at $39. We also offer teeth whitening, dental fillings, crowns, dental bridges, veneers, dental implants, and emergency dentistry.

The term Root canal is sure to scare you because the therapy doesn’t have a reputation of being enjoyable. Root canals entail the removal of your infected or inflamed dental pulp to provide relief from the excruciating toothache you experience besides sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures.

Most people jump out of the dentist’s chair when they hear the term root canal treatment without realizing the five realities of this surgical procedure that is no more painful than getting dental fillings. You can relax in the chair of the dentist near me, permitting them to complete the process without realizing what the dentist is doing inside your tooth. On the contrary, please read this article to understand the realities of root canals to undergo the treatment if the dentist recommends fearlessly.

Realities Of Root Canals

1. Root Canal Pain Can Fool You

Your dental pulp becomes painful only if you have an infected tooth because the pulp is home to blood vessels, connective tissue, and nerves. The pain can subside after having painkillers or vanish as the pulp begins dying. However, you may confront other symptoms like facial swelling and oozing pus because the infection travels further to your tooth roots. The lack of symptoms shouldn’t fool you into delaying treatment but should encourage you to get the tooth evaluated without delay.

2. Endodontic Therapy Isn’t Painful

Root canal treatments or endodontic therapy, as it is also called for by the dentist in Phoenix, AZ, will likely not cause any pain but will instead relieve the pain you experience in the affected tooth. When you arrive for your appointment, the dentist x-rays the tooth to evaluate the extent of the damage before providing you sufficient anesthesia to numb the affected area and the tooth. As a result, you feel you spent a few minutes in the dentist’s chair when the treatment requires at least 60 to 90 minutes to complete if it is needed on your front tooth. Unfortunately, if you need root canals on a molar, expect to spend at least three hours in the dentist’s chair but do so fearlessly because the anesthesia eliminates the pain from the procedure.

3. Protecting Your Tooth

After completing root canal surgery, the dentist places a temporary filling in the access hole they create in the crown of your tooth to access your dental pulp. You require about a week to recover from the surgery, after which the temporary filling needs replacing with a permanent filling or a dental crown. While permanent fillings serve the purpose, you provide better protection to your tooth if you have it restored with a dental crown, making it appear like your natural tooth and restore its functionality.

4. Root Canal Treatments Aren’t Permanent Solutions

Undergoing root canal surgery doesn’t mean you have protection from tooth decay or gum disease. The dental crown on your tooth is resistant to decay and lasts for several years with proper brushing besides regular dental visits. However, the underlying tooth remains susceptible to infections, especially if you allow plaque buildup to develop around the crowned tooth. Therefore you must exercise caution when maintaining dental hygiene and ensure you use suitable tools to clear all plaque from your mouth to prevent gum disease or tooth decay.

5. Tooth Extraction Not a Solution over Root Canals

You may think you are better off getting your tooth extracted instead of undergoing the fearsome root canal treatment. However, are you aware of what you must endure after having your tooth extracted? If you don’t know, please understand extraction of a single tooth will encourage your remaining teeth to shift position towards the vacant gap to change your bite and your smile. You also become prone to dental infections because the blank space becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. Finally, to avoid the consequences of tooth extraction, you must seek tooth replacement solutions like dental implants or bridges costing thousands and requiring multiple appointments with dentists. Instead of enduring all the challenges and expenses, wouldn’t you benefit by merely undergoing the straightforward root canal procedure providing you relief from the toothache and allowing you to have your natural tooth?

Healthy Smiles prides itself on its commitment to caring for your well-being at all levels. If you need to have root canal therapy to eliminate the dental infection from your teeth, please schedule an appointment with them for the treatment you need.

If the term root canal therapy sends shivers down your spine because you are unaware of what it means, this blog is the perfect destination for you to understand this treatment. We receive plenty of questions on what precisely is root canal treatment. Unfortunately, most patients calling us think root canals are painful and create unnecessary complications.

We do not want to scare patients, but we happily look forward to turning the many stigmas attached to this treatment to clarify the situation. The information in this article helps you understand what to expect if you ever need this treatment to eradicate an infection from inside your tooth. Therefore, we suggest you continue reading till the end because we provide comprehensive information on all aspects of root canal treatments.

What Are Root Canals?

Root canals, also called endodontic therapy, involve removing the soft tissue inside your tooth, the dental pulp. The dental pulp houses the blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue, helping keep your teeth healthy and functional. Root canals are needed when infection or inflammation affects the dental pulp. Removing the dental pulp is crucial before it spreads to the surrounding teeth. When undergoing a root canal near you, your dentist gets rid of the infected tissue, cleans the canals, disinfects them before filling and sealing the tooth. The dentist completes the procedure in a couple of appointments depending on which tooth in your mouth needs the therapy.

Why Do You Need a Root Canal?

You require a root canal in Phoenix because if the pulp is not removed, the infection can spread to the rest of your mouth, eventually affecting your jawbone holding the tooth. Without treatment, you may need a tooth extraction, bringing along a host of other problems. Root canals aim to eradicate the infection inside your tooth to leave it functional and healthy.

Are Root canals Painful?

Dentists performing the root canal procedure are experts in pain management techniques and ensure the treatment is virtually pain-free, unlike earlier. Root canals treatments were painful before dentistry advances, and modern techniques weren’t available. Thankfully with present-day anesthetics and modern equipment, root canals are similar to getting dental fillings.

Why Do You Need Dental Crowns after a Root Canal?

When dentists remove the infected dental pulp from inside your tooth, the treatment renders your tooth fragile, making it prone to fractures and breakage. As the infection has sufficiently damaged the tooth, a filling becomes insufficient to prevent further decay. It is why dentists recommend you have the tooth restored with a dental crown to reinforce your tooth entirely.

Is the Recovery Process Uncomfortable?

Your recovery after undergoing root canals does involve some pain that you expected before undergoing the treatment. However, the dentist provides painkillers and antibiotics to help you with your discomfort and any infections that may arise. Your recovery process involves visiting the dentist about three times, especially if you have decided on getting a dental crown to protect the tooth. During your first meeting, the dentist cleans the root canal putting medicines to eliminate infections before placing a temporary filling. During your second meeting, the dentist checks the root cause and permanently fills your tooth to set you up with a temporary filling. During the final appointment, the dentist removes the temporary filling to place a permanent restoration.

How Long Do Fillings and Crowns Last?

Fillings and crowns are durable protective restorations designed for the long haul. Caring for them appropriately ensures they remain with you for several years. However, you must follow proper oral hygiene, brushing and flossing your teeth, and visit your dentist every six months for checkups to ensure you get to enjoy the benefits of a root canal for a long time.

Is There an Option to Avoid Root Canals?

Why not? You undoubtedly have an option to avoid root canals if you wish. Root canal treatments with restorations are tried and tested techniques for improving your oral health. This procedure also provides the benefits of root canals that help you retain your natural teeth instead of having them extracted.

If you want to avoid root canals, you must take proper care of your teeth by following oral hygiene techniques recommended by your dentist and refraining from sugary and starchy foods. Visiting dentists every six months is essential to identify signs of damages to your teeth or developing cavities that need prompt treatments with fillings. When you are diligent with preventive care, you naturally avoid infections to the dental pulp that require root canals or extractions to safeguard your overall health.

Do you have further questions or think you need root canals? Why not schedule an appointment with Healthy Smiles for an expert opinion on this subject.

Tooth loss is an uncomfortable oral health condition for most patients. At AZ Healthy Smiles, we recognize that missing one or more teeth can affect your oral function. But, more importantly, these spaces may take away your complete smile. A single tooth gap can cause the remaining teeth to shift, bone loss, or gum degradation, thus affecting your smile appearance. To avoid this, visit our dentist near you for extensive care.

For persons missing teeth, we use customized dentures to restore their smiles. We can recommend partials and dentures in Phoenix, AZ, as tooth replacement solutions depending on your situation. This way, you can avoid any inconveniences caused by tooth loss. Contact our dental clinic to book your consultation.

Partial Dentures

Partial dentures are used by dental experts to replace one or a few missing teeth; and they can be permanent or removable. If you have two or perhaps more remaining healthy teeth, partial dentures are suitable for you. Dental crowns and metal frames hold permanent partial dentures in place.

Partial dentures are made of resin bases attached to artificial teeth, which are customized by the dental laboratory based on the impression of your oral structure. Temporary partial dentures, also called flippers, replace teeth immediately after extraction. Most people prefer flippers due to aesthetic reasons, and they don’t have to remain toothless. However, flippers are not very practical since they are supported by the gums, which causes irritation and thinning of mouth tissues.

Our removable partial dentures can be used to replace one or more missing teeth and use clasps to connect to healthy teeth as an anchor. These clasps are made of flesh-colored or tooth-colored resin material to blend with your smile. With traditional partial dentures, you will be able to eat normally and prevent further damage to your mouth.

Advantages of Partial Dentures

• Unlike other tooth replacement options, partial dentures are minimally invasive and affordable for dental restoration.
• Partial dentures can be adjusted to add extra missing teeth.
• Partial dentures are better for replacing missing teeth in the lower jaw than full dentures because they are easier to adapt.

Complete Dentures

These are removable dentures that replace all missing teeth on the lower or upper jaws. If you still have teeth, your dentist usually removes any remaining upper or lower teeth to replace them with full dentures. Then, after the gums have healed, the patient can wear permanent dentures. At the same time, you may require immediate dentures right after extraction.

If you need dentures to replace all the teeth, an impression of the upper gum, lower gum, or both is first made. Before making the dentures, your dentist will also study the bite alignment of both jaws to ensure that the length of the dentures will allow optimal chewing and speaking.

A preliminary set of dentures is made in the laboratory and sent to the dentist. The dentures will be placed in your mouth, and any necessary adjustments of the teeth will be made before the final denture set is made. Dentures look like natural teeth and gums and are professionally fixed using a special adhesive that bonds them to the gums.

Advantages of Dentures

• Better speech

If you don’t have teeth in your mouth, pronunciation is difficult. Dentures may improve the clarity of speech. However, after dentures, there will be an adaptation period.

• Long-lasting

With good care, your dentures can last a long time. For example, brushing teeth and flossing between meals will help your full dentures last 5 to 10 years.

• You can eat what you prefer

Missing teeth requires you to pay attention to what you eat, and in some cases, you may even avoid certain foods. When your teeth are not functioning properly, it is difficult to eat hard food that requires a lot of chewing.

Caring for Dentures

• Please don’t wear them overnight. During this period, they should be soaked in water or a special cleaning solution.
• After eating, you should remove and brush the dentures, and you need to brush off any remaining adhesive on your gums.
• Because the bite changes over time, you will need to reinstall your dentures from time to time.

At our dental clinic, providing reliable care to patients is our key goal. Visit us for consultation or schedule an appointment to get your customized dentures.

Taking care of your teeth is a lifelong commitment. You most probably know that teeth are sturdy, but they need proper care to last a lifetime. But if you are cavalier about your dental hygiene, you will find yourself dealing with a myriad of dental issues, and you will need to seek urgent dental care.

Bacterial infection almost always will occur when you don’t practice proper oral hygiene. If you miss your dental appointments and you clean your teeth sporadically, you might have abscessed teeth.

When you have abscessed teeth, seeking prompt care will make all the difference since this is a severe infection that can spread throughout the body.

What Causes a Tooth Abscess?

A dental abscess is a term that refers to a collection of pus around and in a tooth. It is always caused by a dental infection or due to gum disease. When your body tries to fight the infection, it sends an inflammatory response, which causes a buildup of cells at the affected area leading to excruciating pain.

The abscess that forms inside the tooth is called an endodontic infection. It will affect the blood vessels and the nerves within the tooth. Endodontic infections are caused by cracks, large cavities, and trauma. In most cases, if the infection is not treated, it will spread to the tooth root and can infect the bone.

When the infection begins in the bone surrounding the tooth and the gums, it is called a periodontal infection. So, gum surgery may be needed when you have a periodontal infection, and endodontic infections need root canal therapy.

Is a Tooth Abscess an Emergency?

Yes! It doesn’t matter if you have an endodontic or periodontal infection; when left untreated, it will spread. This is why you need to visit our emergency dentist when you realize that you have an abscessed tooth.

The infection will spread outward in most scenarios and form a pus pocket (fistula) that can drain and release the pressure. You might not feel any pain when you have this type of abscess.

But if the infection spreads inward, then you will have a severe problem in your hands. It might leak into your bloodstream; a condition referred to as septicemia. When the infection spreads to the tissue under your tongue, your airways can be blocked.

Even worse is if the infection reaches the brain. In any case, the infection spreading can cause more harm. Prompt care provided by our emergency dentist will ensure that the condition doesn’t spread.

Therefore, you need to get promptly checked when you notice that you have the signs of a dental abscess. Always assume that an abscess is a dental emergency since you cannot tell how the infection can spread if left untreated.

So, when you get to our office, our dentist will use prescription antibiotics to help curb the infection. If the case is severe, our dentist may need to administer the antibiotics intravenously. Also, you will need to undergo incision and drainage, which is a procedure designed to open the swelling to drain the pus.

But, never try to drain or pop an abscess at home. You will worsen it since you don’t have sterile equipment and can introduce bacteria into your mouth.

Will Urgent Care Drain the Tooth Abscess?

You can also decide to urgent care and receive medical care. However, the doctors can only help you if the underlying cause of the abscess is health-related. Plus, it is the best option to get urgent care if the swelling from your toothache has spread to different parts of your face, especially below your jawline and eye.

But, in most cases, ER doctors will only prescribe medication, and then you will need to book an appointment with our dentist to get the abscess drained. A dentist will provide proper treatment for an abscessed tooth.

Let Us Help

Swellings on your gums are a severe issue. A dental abscess is always considered a dental emergency, and prompt care will ensure that the infection doesn’t spread. Plus, proper dental care can only be found in a dental practice. Try and avoid going to urgent care or emergency rooms if possible. Contact us today at AZ Healthy Smiles for proper dental care.

Dental bonding, a standard cosmetic dental procedure to enhance the appearance of minor defects on your teeth like chips, cracks, discoloration, and gaps, is increasingly popular among people as a conservative method of making smile improvements quickly and efficiently from their dentist. The dentist completes the dental bonding procedure required in their office, eliminating the need for multiple appointments and spending time at the dentist’s office.

The composite resin used during the bonding treatment is the same as the filling materials used for tooth-colored fillings. The process is an excellent alternative for anyone who doesn’t want expensive dental repairs like veneers or crowns to hide dental imperfections and looks for a conservative technique to repair their teeth.

What Is Involved in the Dental Bonding Process?

The dental bonding process is relatively simple and completed by your dentist in a few steps.

The dentist starts by using a shade chart to identify the precise composite resin color matching your natural teeth. Next, the tooth targeted for bonding is roughed up with an etching solution to help the composite resin adhere to the tooth. Finally, the dentist applies the composite resin over your teeth and begins molding and shaping them to match the natural shape of your teeth. Ultraviolet light helps the dentist harden the resin. The composite resin is further molded and polished if required to ensure the tooth matches the appearance of your remaining teeth.

Dental bonding requires 30 to 60 minutes per tooth with no downtime involved. You can start your journey back home or work immediately after dental bonding treatments.

Is It Painful When Getting Dental Bonding?

The dental bonding procedure is superficial because the dentist applies the composite resin material to the tooth’s surface needing the bonding. Any pain associated with dental bonding depends on the tooth’s location and condition requiring the bonding.

If you want to repair a cavity in your mouth, repairing tooth decay will undoubtedly cause some discomfort. The dentist must drill out the hole and remove any bacteria and debris before cleaning and disinfecting the space to fill with the composite resin material.

You will feel some pain when the dentist gives you the anesthesia shots that soon subsides into numbness. Besides the above, the dental bonding procedure merely requires you to sit with your mouth open on the dentist’s chair, causing discomfort after the procedure. You may experience some pain if you need dental bonding to a tooth area near the gums where tissue and vulnerable nerves are present. Here again, your dentist recommends applying a topical anesthetic to ensure you experience no discomfort during the bonding procedure.

However, for the better part, most people undergoing dental bonding find the discomfort associated with the procedure is non-existent or minimal. Therefore you can consider the dental bonding procedure relatively painless unless you want to have cavities repaired with the treatment to enhance the appearance of your teeth.

The Recovery Process after Dental Bonding

If you merely bonded your teeth to improve their aesthetic appearance without needing any cavity fillings, you can consider the recovery process non-existent. You can begin smiling and showing off your newly bonded teeth to everyone around you even before you leave the dentist’s office.

However, if you received anesthesia for filling cavities, your mouth will likely remain numb for a few hours without causing any pain. Therefore, you must exercise caution when eating scorching or freezing foods and beverages as you recover from the numbness. If you detect extreme pain or discomfort, contact the dentist for help because they may recommend painkillers to overcome the discomfort.

For 48 hours after getting your teeth bonded, you must refrain from smoking and having staining beverages like coffee and red wine, especially if you had your teeth bonded for discoloration. Besides the insignificant precautions, you can continue your everyday activities with your bonded teeth and enjoy all the foods and beverages you want.

The bonding treatment lasts on your teeth for five to seven years but is prone to chipping and cracking if you bite on complex objects like pencils, pens, fingernails, et cetera. You must refrain from chewing on ice or having crunchy foods that may chip the bonding material. If you want to prolong the life of the bonding, you must maintain excellent dental hygiene and visit your dentist for six-monthly exams and cleanings. However, rest assured that the process is entirely painless unless you have cavities on your teeth that need repair before getting your teeth bonded.

Has your dentist recommended you a tooth extraction? If so, it is essential to thoroughly discuss the tooth extraction procedure with the dentist or your oral surgeon. Dental offices provide you in-depth after-care instructions for your tooth extraction recovery. You must follow the instructions carefully by contacting the dentist’s office if you have any questions or confront any complications.

Tooth extractions are standard among many adults with infections, injuries, crowding, and others. After having a tooth removed, you may have various questions in your mind priming them being food for tooth extraction. The tooth removal procedure doesn’t prevent you from nourishing yourself but undoubtedly imposes some restrictions you must follow. This blog provides information on the helpful foods you can have after tooth removal.

Foods To Have after Tooth Extraction

You must start by consuming soft foods and liquids after tooth removal for at least 24 hours. You can ease into your regular diet after you feel comfortable doing so. It helps if you stick with easy-to-chew foods for a few days choosing a diet of yogurt, pudding, Jell-O, and ice cream. If you select ice cream, choose a variety without crunchy or chewy candy and avoid ice cream cones. Applesauce is an ideal choice after tooth removal because it adds fiber to your diet.

It would help if you waited for at least 24-hour’s before you include mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, pancakes, and broth-based soups without large meat chunks. You can have the foods lukewarm but not hot.

You must avoid chewing from the extraction site for about two weeks following the removal to ensure you don’t disrupt or delay the healing. While you can start eating your regular diet after 72 hours, you must avoid scorching, spicy, acidic, sticky, and crunchy foods until your gums and jawbone have healed entirely.

Tooth removal would be a concerning procedure, especially if you had to undergo surgery for the extraction. However, dentists provide sufficient after-care instructions, including the foods you can or cannot have to help you recover quickly.

Can I Eat a Banana after a Tooth Extraction?

Bananas have a soft texture making them easy to chew and swallow after tooth removal surgery. Bananas are also nutritious, providing a variety of vitamins and minerals like potassium, vitamin B6, manganese, and folate. You can undoubtedly eat bananas by mashing them to soften their texture and reducing the risk of any discomfort.

How Long After Tooth Extraction Can I Eat?

Generally, you can begin consuming foods within a few hours after tooth removal using the foods mentioned earlier. Your dentist or oral surgeon provides instructions on how soon you can start eating after tooth removal. It helps if you follow the instructions carefully to ensure you don’t confront any complications.

Using a straw for drinking liquids may appear convenient. However, the suction caused by using a straw for drinking can dislodge the blood clot at the extraction site resulting in bleeding and delayed healing.

When Can I Brush My Teeth with Toothpaste after an Extraction?

Initially, you require a couple of weeks for the healing of the gum tissue, and recovery of the bone requires 6 to 8 months. Do not use toothpaste after an extraction to brush your teeth for the initial three to four days after the procedure. Rinsing the toothpaste from your mouth can remove the blood clot resulting in a dry socket. Instead, clean the extraction site gently and carefully with a wet gauze pad or cloth. You can also use an antiseptic mouthwash or saltwater to rinse your mouth, allowing the rinse to drain from your mouth by tilting your head from side to side. Most dentists will likely recommend efficient products with instructions on how and when to use them.

Tooth extraction doesn’t mean you have to stay away from foods until your mouth has healed entirely. You must continue nourishing yourself with foods, even if it means staying away from your regular diet. The adjustments are merely for a few days and are helpful for the healing process. Rush into your regular diet quickly may result in complications that may lead to additional treatments from dentists. On the other hand, following the instructions of your dentist and the tips mentioned in this blog can help the healing after tooth extraction.

Flaunting a healthy smile is not enough these days. There is a need to have the brightest smile in the room, especially in the 21st century where everyone seemed to be concerned about Cosmetic appeal. If your teeth are not white enough to your liking, you do not have to remain unsatisfied with them for the rest of your life. Today, there are multiple approaches you can consider that can help improve the color of your teeth without undermining teeth care.

What Does Teeth Whitening Entail?

It involves techniques and procedures that can brighten and whiten teeth. Technically, the focus of any whitening remedies should be the enamel of teeth. The goal is to break down the intrinsic stains on teeth without damaging the enamels thereof. As such, different methods and remedies exist to achieve such goals.

In dentistry, dental experts recommend only one way of whitening teeth, that is, in-house professional dental whitening. A dentist will carefully examine the extent of the stains on your teeth to come up with a strategy for the whitening treatment. Afterward, the procedure involves applying special dental whitening agents that are activated with laser, which also allow for speedy bleaching. The bleaching agents will break down the stains in your teeth quickly without compromising the structure and health of your enamel. Within one to four repeat processes completed in under an hour, your teeth will appear brighter and whiter than before. It is the quickest and most effective way of whitening your teeth in one day.

Other Remedies of Whitening Teeth

If you prefer natural ways of brightening your smile, there are different approaches that people used. You just need to determine the kind of ingredients that are easily available in your home. Some of the remedies acclaimed by do-it-yourself enthusiasts today include the following:

• Banana peel whitening

This technique entails rubbing a small square of a banana peel on your teeth for about two minutes. You have to repeat the procedure every day before you can begin to see any changes in the color of your teeth. This method is purported to work because bananas are rich in potassium and magnesium, which are useful minerals for sustaining healthy and strong teeth.

Does Banana Peel Whiten Teeth?

Unfortunately, there is still no evidence found that supports that banana peels can really whiten teeth. However, the technique may help increase the absorption of minerals in your teeth to promote dental health.

• Baking soda whitening 

It is also called sodium bicarbonate. It is an abrasive that is rubbed over teeth for a few minutes before rinsing. As such, the abrasive should realize whitening effects after using repeatedly over a couple of days.

Does Baking Soda Whiten Teeth?  

Ideally, baking soda can remove surface stains because it is abrasive. However, it cannot get rid of deep stains that require bleaching to do so. However, research has shown that toothpaste made with baking soda is effective for whitening teeth when used daily for oral hygiene care. Generally, baking soda is better in improving the brightness of your teeth than is the case with banana peels.

• Milk whitening 

Milk is a healthy beverage, especially for children. Consumption of milk has great benefits to your general health, but also your teeth. For one, the lactose in milk is not as harmful as other types of sugars in other drinks and foods. When it comes to whitening teeth, milk will play a big role in reducing the surface stains on your teeth. When taken with tea, for instance, milk will reduce tea’s ability to stain your teeth.

Does Milk Whiten Teeth? 

Studies done in dental health shows milk can make the teeth whiter. Ideally, the protein and casein present in milk will latch to the enamel of your teeth and prevent staining. In that case, milk does not necessarily bleach your teeth but rather prevents further staining.

What Works Well?

The concept of whitening teeth relies on the aspects of abrasion and bleaching. Abrasion introduces rough texture that can break down surface stains. While bleaching goes to disintegrates the compositions of stains to improve the color of teeth. As such, turning to your dentist for professional whitening services is the best approach to getting white teeth in one day. Besides, the results thereof will last you for a long time, up to 6 and 12 months, before you need a repeat procedure.