What Makes A Great Smile?

When you smile, the world smiles with you, is so true. Most of us have had the experience of smiling at a stranger and receiving one back. “Your smile is part of what creates that first impression that is so important,” says Dr. Judith Ko from her Hemet Valley Dental Practice. So what creates a beautiful smile?

“We are generally attracted to smiles with teeth that are white, straight, well framed and go all the way to your eyes,” adds Dr. Ko.

To get whiter teeth may be as easy as brushing and flossing daily and seeing your dentist on a regular basis. For some, though, the process might include needing a little extra help. Bleaching or whitening your teeth can boost the brightness of your teeth. There are three main types of whitening:

     1.     Whitening at home with an over the counter product

     2.     Whitening at home with a product that your dentist can prescribe

     3.     Whitening at your dental office

For straighter teeth there are two options:

     1.     See an orthodontist. An orthodontist specializes in straightening teeth and correcting alignment issues that may cause jaw pain or headaches.                           

     2.     If you are looking for a quicker option, perhaps you may wish to consider veneers. “Veneers can not only straighten your teeth, they can also change the shape of your teeth if you so desire,” says Dr. Ko.   

Your gum tissue is what frames your teeth. “If you tend to have a gummy smile, you may wish to consider cosmetically contouring it.” The process can easily be done surgically or by using a laser.

Finally, smile all the way to your eyes as this shows confidence. Now, go out and use that smile to brighten someone else's day.

Whiter Teeth for Men

It’s not just women that want to have a bright smile these days. Men too, want to make a splash. “Your smile is part of the first impression you present in business and life, which is why it’s so important to make sure yours shows well,” says Dr. Judith Ko from her Hemet Valley Cosmetic Dental Practice. While traditionally, men have been less likely to see their dentist on a regular basis, this trend is changing as men become more focused on health and the benefits of a more youthful appearance.

The first step to getting a brighter smile is to visit your dentist,” says Dr. Ko. Your dental office will spruce up your smile by removing plaque and calculus. Once you have been checked for the health of your teeth and have cleaned up a bit, then it is time to discuss which whitening option is most appealing.

In general, whitening toothpastes sold over the counter provide little if any benefit. The same holds true for many of the other over the counter whitening products. “To get the best results you will most likely need to have a prescription strength whitening product which you can get from your dentist.”

Dental Infection

Infections in the mouth can be so difficult. “Not only do infections cause pain, there is the fear of what it means that goes along with it,” says Dr. Judith Ko from her Hemet Valley, California dental practice.

Oral infections are currently generating more hospitalizations in the United States than ever before, ()

And many times a trip to see your dentist is a better option. Generally speaking there are two types of dental infections: infections of the gum tissue and infections of the teeth.

A patient who is experiencing an infection of the gum tissue may notice bleeding, swelling, pus and in some instances acute pain. This type of infection is caused from bacteria in the mouth. “Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is an infection that can be treated by your dentist,” adds Dr. Ko. “Several visits may be necessary to remove the calculus and other debris from the pockets that form around the teeth, but if treated early and maintained, the prognosis can be quite good.” Which means that tooth loss can many times be prevented.

An abscessed tooth is also caused by an infection. It affects the root of the tooth and the result is pain and swelling. “The key is to catch things before they progress if at all possible. When a tooth is sensitive to hot beverages and foods like tea, coffee or soup it may be a sign that the nerve is damaged,” says Dr. Ko. “Call your dentist immediately as the sooner the problem is identified the more likely it can be treated relatively easily.”

Infections of the oral cavity should not be ignored. While not often, they have been known to cause death. “Your dental provider wants to help keep you healthy,” Dr. Ko adds. “See them on a regular basis.”

Spreading Decay to Others. Are You Guilty?

While everyone knows eating candy and other sweets can increase your likelihood of decay, many might not realize that decay is caused by bacteria that can be spread.

Decay is caused by bacteria that live in your mouth. The bacteria feed on the food debris that is ingested, and produce an acid, which then combines with the remaining food debris, and saliva to create a filmy substance known as plaque. It is this plaque that can cause cavities to form.

“No matter what you eat,” says Dr. Judith Ko from her Hemet, California cosmetic dental practice, “cavities can only form with the help of bacteria.”

And that bacteria can also be spread to others. “Most of the time by sharing food, utensils, or kissing,” adds Dr. Ko.

What can you do about it? Regular visits to your dentist are the first step to keeping bacteria in check. Another help is chewing sugar-free gum between meals, especially one with xylitol. Xylitol is well known to reduce decay in patients who use it on a regular basis. Drink plenty of water, especially water with fluoride.

Keep your smile and your family’s smile healthy and happy. This is one time when you don’t want to share.

Is It Time To Redo Your Old Fillings?

The reason your general dentist asks that you come in for regular check-ups is to evaluate your dental health, including the state of your existing dental care.

“While dental restorations – fillings and crowns – may last a long time, it may not be forever,” says Dr. Judith Ko from her Hemet Valley, California Dental Practice. “The length of time your restorations last is very dependent on several different factors including: diet, hygiene, habits and the quality of the dental material originally placed,” she adds. 

      1.    Diet: A change in diet that increases the sweet sugary foods you eat, can contribute to decay. Also as we age, gum tissue may recede, this exposes tooth enamel that has not been protected by fluoride. Your diet will therefore play a role in how well your fillings will last.

      2.    Hygiene: Each patient mouth is different, and so following your dentist’s recommendation on how frequently you should be seen for cleanings and exams will help you to not only take care of decay early, it will help your dentist find problems with existing fillings and crowns early – both of which save you money.

      3.    Habits: Chewing ice can damage your existing fillings, as can biting your nails. Remember, your teeth should be used as utility instruments. All of these habits can reduce the longevity of your dental work.

      4.    Quality: A crown is a crown is a crown, right? Wrong! Not all materials are created equal. Which is why you should ask questions about the type of material your dentist recommends for you.

Keeping your smile bright and healthy is a smart thing to do. It not only saves you money, it will result in less intensive dental treatment, and longer lasting restorations. It’s a win, win, win for you.