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Getting Your Smile Ready for Summertime
Summertime is right around the corner, and it's time to get in shape. Getting back in the gym and back to eating a good diet is not the only thing you should be doing. Getting your smile ready should also be a major part. Holiday food and drinks can wreak havoc on your smile. Red wine, cranberry sauce, and holiday treats can make your smile dark and dingy. Fortunately, it’s not too late to get that smile back in shape for the summer!
Been a while since your last cleaning? With time staining food and drinks can leave a dark film on the teeth that needs to be professionally removed. A simple visit to your hygienist may be all that’s needed to get back that sparkling white smile. Regular dental cleaning and check-ups can keep small problems from turning into big, very costly problems. We recommend every six months for regular check-ups and cleaning for a healthy mouth. Patients with periodontal disease may need every three to four months.
Even with a good cleaning, your smile may still look dark and dingy. Whitening may be an option for you. Whitening is offered in the form of strips that are worn for about an hour a day for up to 2 weeks. Although not for everyone it may be an option for you. Custom whitening trays are a better option for hard-to-whiten teeth. Custom trays are fabricated and loaded with a gel and worn for about an hour a day. Treatment may be from a week to as long as 2-3 weeks depending on the difficulty of getting the teeth to whiten. An in-office whitening procedure using a very strong whitening gel can help kick-start this process and greatly cut down on the time needed to achieve a brighter smile. A consult with your dentist will determine which option is best suited for you.
When all else fails there is always the option of restoring the teeth with veneers or crowns to get the smile you desire. Although aggressive and expensive it may be the best option for you. Again, before undergoing any extensive procedure be sure to have an in-depth consultation with your dentist and ask questions.
Still not sure what’s best for you? Give us a call or visit our website at www.batonrougedentistry.com