Your Cosmetic Dentist: How Long Do Veneers Last?

Would you like to know the secret to those perfect celebrity smiles? They have porcelain veneers.

Hundreds of thousands of people have opted for veneers to improve their smiles, and that number is growing every year. As cosmetic dentistry advances, veneers look more natural and are more durable than ever before.

But how long do veneers last? Are they a permanent solution for a better smile?

In this post, we’ll answer those questions and more. Read on!

How Long Do Veneers Last?

The short answer is around 10-15 years. After that, most veneers need to be replaced with new ones.

Why? Like natural teeth, dental veneers are subject to damage. Over time, they can be broken, chipped, cracked, or discolored.

Of course, with advances in dentistry come veneers that are better and stronger than ever before. With proper care, you may be able to extend the life of your veneers to 20 or even 30 years.

Tips for Making Veneers Last

To protect your investment–and your smile–here are a few things to do to make your veneers last longer.

1. Maintain an Excellent Oral Care Routine

Your teeth will suffer if you don’t take care of them, and so will your veneers.

If you didn’t already have good hygiene habits, now’s the time to start. Brush your teeth at least twice daily and floss at least once.

It’s also important to keep up with regular visits to your dentist for checkups and cleanings.

2. Don’t Use Your Teeth As Tools

We’re all guilty of it occasionally. Maybe you need to cut or loosen something, but you don’t have scissors nearby, so you use your teeth instead.

When you have veneers, this is a huge no-no. Biting down on something that isn’t food is a sure way to crack or chip those precious veneers.

Keep those scissors, bottle openers, and other tools nearby–and never use your teeth instead.

3. Wear Protection During Contact Sports

If you enjoy playing hockey, football, or other contact sports, veneers won’t affect your ability to play.

However, you should always wear a mouthguard–just in case. If you take a blow to the face, it could damage your veneers.

4. Wear a Nightguard If You Grind Your Teeth

Do you clench or grind your teeth at night?

A lot of us do. “Bruxism” is the technical term for it–and it can be a nightmare for your veneers.

If you tend to grind, be sure to talk to your dentist before you get veneers. If you aren’t already wearing a mouthguard at night, you’ll want to get set up with one before any cosmetic procedures.

Are Porcelain Veneers Right for You?

So, how long do veneers last?

Like your natural teeth, the answers depend much on you. With reasonable precautions and a good routine of dental care, you should be able to enjoy your veneers for many years to come.

Do you have more questions about porcelain veneers? Check out our recent post on the topic.

We also invite you to contact us anytime with questions or concerns.

source https://www.golsendental.com/your-cosmetic-dentist-how-long-do-veneers-last/

Sparkling White: What’s the Best Way to Whiten Teeth Safely?

In our image-obsessed society, whiter teeth are a must. In fact, the global teeth-whitening market is set to be worth US$3.78 billion by 2021. 

While many people opt for professional whitening services, others look to alternative options in their search for the best way to whiten teeth. But, home remedies like baking soda can damage teeth enamel, while whitening strips are often ineffective. 

Here are some of the best ways to remove teeth stains and whiten your teeth safely. 

In-Office Whitening Treatment

If you’re looking for the quickest way to whiten your teeth, an in-office teeth whitening treatment is the way to go. 

One such in-office whitening method is Zoom!, which uses a concentrated hydrogen peroxide gel combined with a special light accelerator. Zoom! offers the most immediate and dramatic results, with a smile up to eight shades whiter in under an hour. 

At-Home Whitening Treatment

For more effective, gradual whitening, an individualized teeth-whitening kit is a sure-fire way to a brighter smile. 

Your dentist will fit you with custom-made trays that you’ll use at home with a whitening gel for whiter teeth within two weeks. This option also allows you to fine-tune the number of applications for the whitest smile possible.

Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal binds is a popular ingredient in whitening treatments due to the way it absorbs and binds with whatever it comes into contact with. 

It’s nowhere near as effective as professional teeth-whitening. But activated charcoal can help to remove surface teeth stains caused by smoking, foods, and drinks. 

To try it for yourself, apply an activated charcoal paste to your teeth, leave it for around 10 minutes, then rinse and brush away any excess. But remember, charcoal can be abrasive. Make sure you use a charcoal product that’s suitable for your teeth and only use it once or twice a week. 

Turmeric and Coconut Oil

It seems counter-intuitive that a bright yellow herb could help to whiten your teeth. But there is a lot of anecdotal support to suggest that turmeric can remove surface stains.  

And, although no studies have evaluated these claims, turmeric’s anti-bacterial properties can help to fight bacteria in the mouth, making it beneficial for oral health in general. 

To use turmeric as a gentle tooth whitener, mix it with coconut oil and apply it to your teeth to remove surface stains. 

Healthy Dental Habits

The best way to prevent teeth stains and avoid teeth yellowing is to always practice good oral health by following these healthy habits:

• Brush twice a day with an electric toothbrush
• Floss once a day
• Visit the dentist for regular check-ups and cleaning sessions
• Drink plenty of water to encourage saliva flow and avoid dry mouth
• Swish with water after eating and drinking to clear food debris 
• Stop smoking
• Avoid staining foods and drinks like berries and coffee
• Eat foods that support good oral health. These include natural teeth-cleaning foods like apples, carrots and celery, and dairy, which helps strengthen and whiten teeth from within

Even if you’ve had a professional whitening service, you should follow these healthy habits to ensure your teeth continue sparkling for as long as possible. 

The Best Way to Whiten Teeth

Although some home remedies may help to remove surface stains, the best way to whiten teeth will always be professional teeth whitening. 

Not only will you avoid the risk of damaging your teeth with abrasive materials or wasting money on whitening strips, but you’re also guaranteed a whiter smile that lasts. 

If you’re ready for a whiter, brighter smile, contact us to schedule an appointment today!

source https://www.golsendental.com/sparkling-white-whats-the-best-way-to-whiten-teeth-safely/

It Might Not Be a Cavity: 3 Causes of a Toothache

Did you know that the dental industry’s estimated to reach $60 billion by 2024?

Struggling with pain in your mouth and wondering what are the causes of a toothache? Not to worry! In this article, we’ll go over some of the main culprits behind discomfort in your teeth.

Want to learn more? Keep reading to find out!

Causes of a Toothache

Even if you are super careful about your oral care, someday you may experience a toothache. There are many possible causes behind sensitive teeth other than a cavity. Nonetheless, keep up a good routine to promote healthy teeth.

1. Tooth Pulp Becomes Inflamed

Pulpitis refers to the inflamed and irritated tissue in the middle of the tooth. Pressure from the inflammation builds in the tooth. The surrounding tissue feels that pressure, and you’ll have discomfort.

Pulpitis can occur in one or more tooth. It’s caused by bacteria invading the tooth’s pulp, causing irritation and swelling.

You can have either irreversible or reversible pulpitis. Reversible pulpitis is the better of the two scenarios. The inflammation’s mild, but the tooth pulp is healthy enough to save.

Irreversible pulpitis is much worse. You may have symptoms of severe pain and swelling, and the tooth isn’t savable. Try and seek treatment right away because the discomfort will worsen.

2. A Dental Abscess

There are three types of abscesses: periodontal, periapical, and gingival.

A periapical abscess occurs when bacteria grow within the pulp chamber. It then becomes infected, and the infection drains into the tip of the tooth root. Pressure from the draining infection causes severe pain and swelling if untreated.

A periodontal abscess occurs when an abscess is on the gum next to the root of a tooth. It could spread to surrounding bone and tissue. Gingival abscesses are on gums.

You may have throbbing pain in your gums or near a tooth. The pain arrives fast and worsens over time. Other symptoms include jaw pain, facial redness, or swelling. If you have pain while chewing, you could have an abscess.

Make sure you seek treatment. Focus on your oral care and continue to floss your back teeth to keep your mouth healthy.

3. A Cracked Tooth

As you age, teeth weaken due to pressure from chewing and biting. The force from chewing or biting down on ice or hard candy can cause teeth to crack.

Teeth crack from teeth grinding, a hit to the face, or abrupt changes in temperature in the mouth. If you eat something cold and then something hot, you could crack a tooth.

If you have pain during chewing or biting, you might have a cracked tooth. Other signs include sensitivity to cold and hot temperatures or sour and sweet foods. Treatment for this condition depends on the direction and location of the crack.

If you have a tooth with a vertical crack extending through it to the gum line, you may need an extraction.

A split tooth has a crack traveling from its surface below the gum line. Its separated into two parts. With such a crack, your dentist could save a part of the tooth.

Contact Us Today

We hope you found this article on causes of a toothache insightful. Sometimes it’s not a cavity but something else. Try and continue a regime promoting good oral care and seek treatment from a professional if you’re in pain.

Want to learn more? Contact us today. We would love to chat with you.

source https://www.golsendental.com/it-might-not-be-a-cavity-3-causes-of-a-toothache/

How to Stop Waking Up With Dry Mouth

Having a dry mouth in the morning is an extremely unpleasant thing. Your breath is pretty raw, you have a deep desire to drink some water, and you wonder why it’s happening. 

It’s relatively normal to have this happen every once in a while. The state of your mouth depends on your nightly routine and what things you consumed the night before waking up. That said, a dry mouth could be a side effect of a deeper problem. 

Whether you have a problem or not, it’s useful to know the cure to waking up with dry mouth. 

Waking Up With Dry Mouth: The Cure

The root problem is a disruption of your mouth’s production of saliva. Saliva exists in our mouths, first and foremost, to protect our teeth. 

It neutralizes the acids that come as a result of bacteria in our mouth. This prevents the growth of that bacteria and serves to clear out some of the food particles that we build up during the day. Getting rid of that bacteria keeps our teeth white.

Again, it’s normal to have a little flux in the way our mouths make saliva. When the production goes down the drain, we wake up with a dry mouth. 

Other symptoms include general stickiness, a thickness of saliva, bad breath, problems with the throat, and an altered sense of taste. 

Taking care of the issue is difficult because it usually comes as a result of a deeper problem. The cure to dry mouth, then, is to identify those problems and address them. Here are a few possible causes:

Smoking and Drinking

Smoking cigarettes (or anything, for that matter) can seriously contribute to dry mouth. The nicotine in cigarettes can lead to the slowing of your saliva flow. Alternatively, smoking can thicken your saliva. 

Both thickening and slowing of flow in salvia will contribute to bad breath because the saliva doesn’t have the same chance of breaking down bacteria.

Aging

Aging is one problem that, for better or worse, has no cure yet. As we age, our salivary glands begin to lose their power. It’s just a natural process.

Not everyone loses salivary flow as they age, though, and the symptoms could be a result of some of the problems listed below.

Medications and Cancer Treatment

A lot of general medications (over the counter and prescribed) contribute to a dry mouth. Drugs used to treat depression and anxiety are two of the most common ones. 

Further, blood pressure medications, antihistamines, pain pills, and decongestants can all contribute. Cancer treatments, especially chemotherapy, can have temporary effects on your salivary glands. 

This is particularly true for radiation treatments when they’re applied to the head and neck.

Dry Mouth Leading to Stains on Your Teeth?

Waking up with dry mouth is immediately uncomfortable. It’s important to remember that when you have dry mouth, your teeth are lacking an essential tool that cleans them. 

If you’re looking for more tips for improving oral health or need dental work done, contact us to learn more. 

source https://www.golsendental.com/how-to-stop-waking-up-with-dry-mouth/

Does Baking Soda Really Whiten Teeth?

Is baking soda good for your teeth? If you have asked yourself this question then chances are you are looking for ways to brighten up your smile.

Besides whitening strips, baking soda has always been viewed as one of the best ways to get your teeth whiter. However, the question remains, is it really good for your teeth?

Take a peek at some of the things you should know about applying baking soda to your pearly whites.

Baking Soda Removes Surface Stains

After a few days of using baking soda you should be able to notice the surface stains on your teeth disappearing. This is one of the main reasons to go this route instead of spending an excessive amount of money on a teeth whitening procedure.

However, older stains will still be present and a procedure or teeth whitening product will be your best option to get them removed.

It Can Damage Teeth Enamel

Baking Soda and water create a chemical reaction to break down the surface stains on your teeth. This is a benefit and a drawback to using it because after continuous use those some chemicals will break down the enamel in your teeth.

You should also be wary that using baking soda will not provide the same positive results as fluoride in toothpaste, which will make your teeth stronger over continuous use.

It Will Not Fight Cavities

Another important thing to know about using baking soda on your teeth is that it will not prevent cavities from appearing, even with regular use. There aren’t any chemicals in baking soda that will fight cavities so properly brushing your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste is still the best option.

Tips for Using Baking Soda on Your Teeth

If you do decide to use baking soda to whiten your teeth strongly consider changing the way you brush your teeth. Most of us brush our teeth the same way we have since we were children, so changing the motion may be a foreign concept at first.

You can also use a variety of substances combined with baking soda to make the process a bit more productive. Combining lemon juice with baking soda can improve the whitening of your teeth.

Simply mix the lemon juice with baking soda for a few minutes, and rinse it with cold water. This combo has excellent bleaching capabilities and will get your teeth whiter in a few treatments.

Is Baking Soda Good for Your Teeth? Yes!

After going through our tips you shouldn’t need to ask yourself “is baking soda good for your teeth?” Knowing how effective the chemical can be in the teeth whitening process, it’s no wonder that millions of Americans will try this option before going down a more expensive route.

Are you ready to take the plunge and add baking soda to your teeth whitening arsenal? Leave a comment below and don’t forget to contact us here if you need to set up an appointment.

source https://www.golsendental.com/does-baking-soda-really-whiten-teeth/

Top 5 Benefits of Gum Contouring

If you suffer from gum diseases, you may be heard from your dentist about a medical procedure called gum contouring.

This practice can be done to help limit the effects of gingivitis or tooth loss. It can also help if your dentist believes your smile may be too gummy. Removing excess gum tissue may help slow the effects of tooth decay. Or if you suffer from any sort of periodontal disease, contouring may eradicate it entirely.

Keep reading if you’d like to learn more about this dental procedure.

1. Remove Extra Tissue

By using a method called ablation, your dental surgeon can remove excess gum tissue from your teeth. This allows for a more even gum line. It will also help limit the track of tooth decay that can occur from having too much gum tissue.

One of the easiest ways to brighten a smile is to lower the gum line. If you feel like your whitening procedures just aren’t doing enough to lighten your teeth, it may be time to talk to your dentist about contouring.

2. Even Gum Lining

Sometimes a crooked smile is a lot more than actual crooked teeth.

If you think your smile is looking a little wonky and that your gums may be the reason, it may be time to invest in some contouring. Reshaping the gums with a dental laser allows your smile to even up.

3. Helps Fight Tooth Decay

The most important part about gum contouring is how it can help fight tooth decay.

The healthiest mouth can become victim to tooth decay. Food can get caught in excessive gum tissues. This may make it harder to clean your teeth on your own. Ablation of the tissue will keep your teeth healthy as you age.

4. Laser Gum Contouring is Fast

With the modern age of periodontal cleaning, procedures like contouring are quick and easy to sit through.

It can be done in one office visit, making it convenient for those who work full-time jobs. Making sure you ask your periodontist about the recovery process is a good idea. For some patients, it can take a few days to recover. Certain painkillers may need to be taken as well.

But other than that, this procedure is relatively painless and the speed with which it can be done makes it a must try for anyone suffering from gum disease.

5. Contouring Will Last Forever

Luckily, the moment you decide to try gum contouring, you won’t have to make the decision again down the line.

Contouring is a permanent medical procedure. It will not need to be repeated in the future. Gum tissue will not regrow once it’s removed. So after you walk out of the office you can breathe a sigh of relief!

Turn to Your Dental Care Experts

If you’re interested in learning more about gum contouring and how its benefits can help you, make sure you contact your periodontal experts today.

Our professional staff will walk you through the entire procedure. Expert care is what you require and here, at our office is where you are sure to receive it.

source https://www.golsendental.com/top-5-benefits-of-gum-contouring/

From Yum to Yellow Teeth: The 5 Worst Foods and Drinks for Staining Teeth

First impressions are everything. And there’s no better way to strike a positive chord than with a dazzling smile. But that dazzling smile can be hard to keep when there are everyday foods that stain teeth.

Want to keep your teeth looking their best? Read up on which drinks and food can stain your teeth the most.

What is Teeth Staining?

In the simplest terms, teeth staining is when your teeth are any color other than their pearly whites. These other unsightly colors found on your teeth may be black, yellow or brown. Teeth develop these stains either on or below the tooth’s surface.

Teeth staining can be caused by a number of health factors ranging from poor brushing to medication. Teeth staining falls into two main categories: extrinsic and intrinsic stains. Read further to find out how each of these categories can rob you of your beautiful smile.

Extrinsic stains

Extrinsic staining occurs when particles accumulate on top of the tooth enamel that covers each tooth. Compounds that give food and drink their natural color then cover your teeth. Acids found in food and drink can also wear down your tooth enamel and make you susceptible to staining.

Intrinsic stains

Intrinsic staining occurs below the tooth’s surface in an area called the dentin. Intrinsic stains are usually caused by medications like tetracycline or other antibiotics. Some acne medicines may also create intrinsic stains.

Five Worst Drinks and Foods That Stain Teeth

Food and drinks that can stain your clothes can discolor your teeth. If something changes your tongue’s color, that will also stain your teeth. Here’s a list of the five biggest culprits:

Tea and Coffee

Both tea and coffee stains teeth because they contain tannins which gives them their dark color. Coffee is also very acidic and can modify your mouth’s pH balance. If you eat any other acidic foods after your coffee, you can damage your teeth even more quickly.

Soda

Light and dark sodas are also acidic and can erode tooth enamel quickly. Regular and sugar-free sodas also cause discoloration and might boost further staining from the other foods you eat. Eliminating this beverage from your diet can improve both oral and overall health.

Curry

Curry’s bright yellow pigment comes from the spice turmeric. This yellow pigmentation has a high staining factor. It can slowly discolor teeth over time.

Some people get confused over turmeric’s medicinal value. They ask “is turmeric unhealthy” or “does turmeric stain teeth?” Turmeric will stain your teeth but it can also prevent gingivitis and gum disease.

Berries

Berries are packed with many health benefits, such as antioxidants. But they’re also good at staining your teeth as well. Cranberries and raspberries can discolor teeth whether you drink them as juice or eat them whole.

Prevention Tips

Proper oral health care is always your number one defense against foods that stain teeth. Proper brushing can protect enamel and prevent unsightly black stains on teeth that comes from tartar buildup. You can also try a few of these tricks to prevent tooth stains.

Sip sodas and juices through a straw to keep them away from your teeth. Swallow them quickly so that they don’t linger inside your mouth. Eat crunchy fruits and veggies to boost saliva and remove stains quicker.

Don’t forget to check out our blog for other prevention ideas on how to keep teeth healthy and clean. When you do, you’ll be ready to share your smile with the world.

source https://www.golsendental.com/from-yum-to-yellow-teeth-the-5-worst-foods-and-drinks-for-staining-teeth/