Community Corner
Flash a Bright, White Smile for Beauty and Health
While many people desire whiter teeth, dentists insist good oral health is just as important as looking good.
Are you worried about your smile? Have you noticed discoloring or staining?
If you're searching for a brighter, whiter smile, you're not alone.
Studies have shown that many women want whiter teeth. But not everyone can afford the cosmetic choices offered by dentists.
As a response, in recent years manufacturers began offering at-home options, such as a variety of whitening toothpastes and kits.
But is having a bright smile the most important factor when it comes to healthy teeth?
We interviewed Dr. Randall Weisel of Weisel Family Dentistry, and asked him about the latest whitening techniques and good oral health.
Find out what's happening in Largowith free, real-time updates from Patch.
While Weisel cares about his patients' quests for a whiter smile, he cautions that appearance shouldn't be your only goal.
"Most people think of their teeth in terms of white smiles," he said.
"You can't do cosmetics if the foundation is diseased."
Despite the importance of having healthy teeth, studies show that many people are more concerned with the appearance than health.
According to a survey by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, almost all adults (99.7%) asked believe that a white smile is an important asset.
And if you think flashing pearly whites makes you more attractive to the opposite sex, you’re not alone.
Find out what's happening in Largowith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The survey showed 96 percent of respondents felt the same way, while 74 percent of respondents believe an unattractive smile could be a huge liability if you're striving for career success.
With all this in mind, let’s take a look at some ways to help keep your teeth white and healthy.
What causes tooth discoloration?
Darkening occurs as we get older, which may be the reason we associate white smiles with a youthful appearance.
Yellowing or staining can happen for many reasons. Antibiotics and other medications, food, genetics, tooth decay, root canal issues or other tooth trauma are some of the causes behind discoloration.
Tobacco can discolor teeth, as well as certain foods, such as coffee, tea, carrots and oranges.
How can you get discolored teeth to shine brighter?
-In-Office Whitening or Bleaching
This method is more effective than toothpastes because the dentist uses stronger whitening agents. It can whiten discolored or stained teeth while protecting your gum tissue better than at-home kits.
Professional whitening also lasts longer than over-the-counter procedures.
-At Home Whitening Kits
Your dentist may give you a bleaching kit to use at home. It usually involves a whitening agent in a tray that fits over your teeth.
-Lasers
In some dentist offices, you can get whiter teeth with a new laser technique.
"I tell people that they'll have results. It may not be as bright as they
want, but they'll see improvements," said Weisel.
-Bonding
To fix stained, broken, cracked or chipped teeth, you can get tooth bonding. A tooth-colored material is applied (or bonded) to the outside of the tooth.
-Veneers
Veneers work similarly to that of bonding, except the outside of the tooth is covered with a thin, porcelain shell.
Healthy Teeth, Healthy Body
The health of your teeth can affect more than your smile. Poor dental health can contribute to a variety of diseases.
"There's a direct link to certain bacteria in the mouth to systemic inflammation, like heart disease, stroke, hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, and even cancer," according to Weisel.
The mechanics of your teeth also affect the neck and head.
"They're not just chewers," he added. "There are 29 muscles in the jaw, and a third of the muscles are attached to the neck."
Healthy teeth not only promote overall health and reduce inflammatory diseases, they're also instrumental in the anti-aging process.
"If your body (and teeth) is working optimally, it will age at the most
effective rate."
For more information on cosmetic dentistry or the current special on at home teeth whitening, call at (727) 536-5787.