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Improving Your Smile Before Your Wedding Or Other Special Occasion

When it comes to your wedding day, everyone wants it to be perfect. Unfortunately, be it due to genetics, an affinity for coffee or for another reason, not everyone has the perfect smile. Because of this, many people want to try and improve their smile before their wedding day or another special occasion where pictures will be taken. Below, we explain how to ensure your teeth are picture perfect for your special occasion.

Teeth Whitening Before Your Wedding

A number of people look into teeth whitening options ahead of their wedding. White smiles contrast well with a black suit, while stained teeth can be more noticeable if you’re in a white dress, so it should come as no surprise that happy couples look into teeth whitening options before the big day. As a dentist who has performed whitening procedures ahead of weddings or special occasions, here’s my advice.

Have a dentist perform the whitening procedure

While this may seem a little self-serving, it’s in your best interest to have a dental professional handle the whitening ahead of your big day. You’re probably not cutting your own hair before your wedding, so don’t whiten your own teeth. There’s just too much that can go wrong when you try to use an at-home kit, so trust it to a dentist.

Immediate results

Another benefit of having a dentist perform your whitening operation is that you’ll be able to see the results right away. Unlike whitening strips that slowly whiten your teeth over the course of several weeks, a professional whitening will have your smile looking brighter as soon as you walk out of the office. This also makes it a great option for people who put off whitening their teeth until the last minute.

Balanced Appearance

Another important reason to have your teeth professionally whitened is because it will ensure that all your teeth are whitened evenly and your smile is balanced. Whitening strips may not evenly hit every surface of your teeth, which can lead to discoloration in some spots. You don’t want a spotty or blotchy smile, and you won’t have one if you trust your whitening to a dentist.

Other Teeth Whitening Tips

If you plan ahead far enough in advance or want to try at-home whitening options, go for it, but keep these tips in mind. For starters, do it well enough in advance that if you don’t like the finished product you can have it adjusted or re-whitened by a dental professional. Next, make sure you only use products with the American Dental Association’s seal of approval. The seal means that those products are trusted by the ADA and should protect your teeth as long as you follow the instructions.

Finally, it’s also a good idea to have regular dental cleanings and checkups leading up to your big day. This will help catch and treat any potential problems before they arise, and they’ll help keep your teeth nice and clean. When you’re not at the dentist, make sure you’re brushing at least twice a day and flossing between meals to keep your smile looking great!

For more information about dental whitening, or for other helpful smile tips, reach out to Dr. Brooks’ office today.

Natural Teeth Whitening

Myths About Natural Teeth Whitening

Everybody wants to have a nice, white smile, but how do you know which natural teeth whitening tricks actually work? There are ways to naturally whiten your teeth, but there are also plenty of myths flying around. Below, we separate fact from fiction when it comes to the best ways to whiten your teeth. According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the most common response given when people were asked how they would like to improve their smile was that they would like a whiter smile. So how can you achieve this? Here’s a look at some common methods touted on the Internet.

Fruits

Fruits are a great dietary choice in that they are loaded with Vitamin C, but they aren’t going to do anything to whiten your smile. In fact, naturally acidic fruits eaten in large quantities can actually wear away your tooth enamel. Enamel is the thin outer coating on your teeth that protects against sensitivity and cavities.

Tooth Scrubs

Some dental scrubs claim that active ingredients like charcoal and baking soda will reinvigorate your smile and make your teeth brighter. However, according to the Journal of the American Dental Association, there is no evidence that dental products with charcoal are safe or effective for whitening your teeth. Also if the product is too abrasive, it can actually end up making your teeth look more yellow by wearing away your tooth enamel.

Whitening Toothpaste

These are probably your best bet if you’re looking for a simple way to make your teeth look a little whiter. When picking out a whitening toothpaste, look for one that is marked with the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance. This let’s you know that the product is safe, effective and won’t wear down your tooth enamel. Whitening toothpastes don’t actually whiten the enamel, but they help remove superficial stains.

Coconut Oil

Some people believe that swishing coconut oil in your mouth can help to whiten your teeth, but again there is no documented scientific evidence to back up this assertion. Look elsewhere for a whitening option.

Whitening Strips

Whitening strips aren’t really considered a “natural” way to whiten your teeth, but they are one of the most common methods pursued, so we want to touch on it. Like whitening toothpaste, make sure you find one with the ADA Seal of Approval so you know that the product is safe and effective. Here’s a link that will take you to a list of all oral hygiene products, including bleaching products, that have the ADA Seal of Approval.

There are other ways to whiten your teeth or prevent them from yellowing, and that includes avoiding coffee, stopping smoking and regularly brushing your teeth. For more tips on how to get a whiter smile, reach out to Dr. Brooks’ office today.

Dental Veneers vs. Teeth Whitening

Dental Veneers vs. Teeth Whitening

If you’re looking to whiten your teeth and brighten up your smile, you have several options at your disposal. Some patients find it difficult to decide which option is best for them. In this article, we are going to discuss the pros and cons of dental veneers vs. teeth whitening.

Teeth Whitening

There are many ways to whiten your teeth – from over the counter products, to a professional whitening by a dentist (which we recommend). This procedure involves applying a bleaching agent to the teeth to remove discoloration. The effects are immediate, but eventually this whitening will wear off as the teeth are continually exposed to food and liquids that yellow the teeth. Ultimately, teeth whitening is cheaper than veneers, but it also doesn’t last as long.

Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are shells made of composite or porcelain that are placed over the patient’s teeth. Veneers can be used to correct chips and cracks, discoloration, and alignment issues in the teeth. The procedure happens over the course of several weeks and office visits in which your dentist will shape the veneer to the desired specifications. Though the procedure is more involved than teeth whitening, the effects last much longer – with many veneers lasting many years before requiring replacement.

Schedule a Dental Appointment in Bloomington, MN

Dr. Tim Brooks is an experienced family and cosmetic dentist who treats patients in Bloomington, Farmington, and the surrounding areas. If you’re experiencing tooth pain, or you just need to schedule a regular cleaning – make an appointment at Smiles for Life! Our team will provide you with the compassionate and individualized treatment that you deserve. Contact us today to set up your appointment at one of our Smiles for Life Dental Clinic (located in Bloomington) and keep your smile shining bright!

Teeth Whitening Tips

4 Tips for Keeping Your Teeth White After a Teeth Whitening

Achieving and maintaining white teeth is something many people continually strive for. But it can be difficult to keep your teeth white, even after a professional whitening. In this article, we are going to offer a few tips for keeping your teeth bright and shiny after a professional teeth whitening procedure.

Brush Your Teeth

Brushing your teeth thoroughly and regularly is one of the best methods you have at your disposal to keep your teeth white. Using a whitening toothpaste is even better! Whitening toothpaste will not help whiten the enamel but can help with surface stains. Make sure you are brushing at least twice a day. If you really want to be an all-star, you can brush after meals as well.

Floss, Floss, Floss

Many people don’t equate flossing with white teeth, but it’s an important activity to keep your smile bright and your mouth healthy. Flossing regularly helps prevent plaque buildup, thus preventing your teeth from staining.

Watch What You Consume

Some food and drinks can seriously stain your teeth. Coffee, tea, wine, and the like are all known to yellow teeth over time. You don’t have to completely cut these out, but limit your intake, drink them using a straw if possible, and brush your teeth afterwards to keep your teeth white.

Avoid Tobacco Use

Smoking and/or chewing tobacco is guaranteed to yellow your teeth. If you’re a regular smoker, try to cut back. At the very least, make sure you are brushing your teeth regularly.

Teeth Whitening Dentist in Bloomington, MN

Dr. Tim Brooks is a skilled family and cosmetic dentist serving patients in Bloomington, Farmington, and the surrounding Minnesota areas. With years of experience under his belt, Dr. Brooks has the experience needed to address your dental health issue. Whether you need a simple cleaning, or you’d like to have your teeth professionally whitened, we’ve got you covered! Contact us today to set up your appointment at a Smiles for Life Dental Clinic!

Coffee Teeth Stains

4 Foods & Liquids that Can Stain Your Teeth

Over time your teeth will inevitably become discolored due to the food and drink you consume. But some foods and liquids are worse than others. In this article, we are going to talk about four common foods and drinks that can stain your teeth – and what you can do to fix yellowing teeth.

Coffee & Tea

Many people drink coffee or tea every morning when they wake up. While you won’t notice any discoloration after one cup or even a pot of coffee, years of drinking coffee and tea can cause some serious discoloration.

Soft Drinks

Soft drinks are bad for your teeth in numerous ways. The

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