Category Archives: Cosmetic Dentistry

benefits of teeth whitening

5 Hidden Benefits of Teeth Whitening

Nothing feels better than freshly cleaned and polished teeth. More and more, people are having their teeth whitened, as well. While we may not come out of the dentist looking like a movie start, there is no reason why we can’t feel like one.

The benefits of teeth whitening go beyond the cosmetic side of it, although that is a huge bonus. Having your teeth whitened has other benefits and is really all part of your regular dental health care, anyhow.

It’s painless and not really expensive to have done, and it is increasingly the most popular beauty treatment that people are giving to themselves. We know we look better but le’ts look a the other benefits of teeth whitening.

1. Say Cheese!

There is no denying that when our teeth and bright and white, we show them off more, smile more, and laugh more. It boosts our confidence and makes us feel good. We feel good about ourselves and our appearance and that has a very positive effect on our mental health.

Covering your mouth because you are self-conscience about your teeth is just a shame and there is no reason to hide where there is a simple way to get help. Smiling and self-confidence are contagious, and it leads to all kinds of positive outcomes in our lives.

Self-confidence in ourselves can help us get better jobs, find love and achieve things that we may not have considered that were within our reach before. The benefits of teeth whitening are good for us, but we can pass that one to those around us.

2. Don’t Try This at Home

There is certainly no shortage of at-home whitening methods available on the market, but the benefits of teeth whitening from your professional outweigh the kits you can use at home.

You professional dental provider has access to a much more powerful formula for whitening your teeth. Having the treatment done at the dentist is much more convenient, as there is nothing for you to except lie back and relax while they apply the whitening formula.

The cost is actually better, in the long run, for the dentist visit. Their whitening substance used is better and last longer, much longer than the home kits or strips. You will find you need to keep applying the kits you do at home, and may even end up paying more by the year’s end.

3. Health Benefits of Teeth Whitening

Did you now that the benefits of teeth whitening can actually extend you your overall physical health? It can. When you go in for a whitening, you have to have an exam and the dentist or hygienist will also clean your teeth.

This cleaning gets rid of any bacteria, plaque or other debris that can cause gum disease and some studies have shown it can even have adverse effects on your heart and intestinal tract.

There is a possibility you will avoid some of the foods and alcohol that lead to the strains and discoloration and you may see changing in your weight, as well. If you are worried about what the wine, potato chips and all those cups of tea are doing to your new white teeth, you may find yourself changing your eating habits.

4. Keep it Clean

One of the other hidden benefits of teeth whitening is that once you have had it done, you are far more likely to keep it that way. When you see how fabulous you look, you will work harder to keep your teeth looking that way.

Keeping your teeth cleaned, flossed, it may even encourage you to stop smoking, drink less coffee or red wine, or just add awareness to the foods and drinks you like that stained your teeth, to begin with.

5. Oral Health Improvement

When you go in for the treatment, you will have to have a dental exam. Your dentist will discover any problems you may have, cavities, cracks or loose caps or fillings. There could also be the beginnings of something else, more serious.

You will be more likely to schedule appointments with your dentist to keep your teeth maintained and clean. This leads to better dental health and more awareness for you for any potential problems and just overall better oral health care.

Maintenance

To keep the benefits of teeth whitening, you need to put in a little effort. There are a few things you can do to keep your teeth remaining white and bright. This is directly after, but for the duration, as well.

  • Use whitening toothpaste
  • Try whitening dental floss
  • Avoid foods and drinks that stain
  • Try whitening chewing gum
  • Try using the whitening strips or kits occasionally

There are many drinks that you may enjoy that cannot only stain your teeth but do damage to them, as well.

There are also certain lipsticks that can stain your teeth, so try a quality brand if you wear it a lot. Find all-day lipsticks that won’t smudge or bleed.

The whitening chewing gum can act as an emergency if you consume something, like coffee and do not have an opportunity to brush your teeth. It can also help get debris out of your teeth and freshen your breath.

Keep Smiling!

The benefits of teeth whitening are wide and continue on for you. If you think about the treatment as an investment, you may be more likely to keep your teeth in better condition. You will love how they look and want to keep them that way.

If you are considering going in, take a friend or loved one with you, it makes a very good, thoughtful and unique gift for someone. It can make you look younger, feel better and give you the confidence you need to try new things and meet new people.

If you are considering treatment, there are certainly more benefits to teeth whitening that just how they look. Contact us for a consultation and find your hidden smile, so you can start to share it and spread it around.

invisalign braces

5 Awesome Benefits of Invisalign Braces

How do you feel when you meet someone for the first time? Are you eager to flash a bright smile? Or, are you busy worrying about what that person thinks of your crooked teeth?

You’re not being irrational for worrying about the appearance of your teeth — after all nearly one-third of Americans say that a person’s smile is the first thing they notice.

If your crooked teeth that are negatively affecting your confidence, you might want to consider working with a dentist or orthodontist to improve the appearance of your smile.

Traditional metal braces aren’t the right option for everyone with crooked teeth. In many cases, Invisalign braces can be a more effective option.

Read on to learn more about Invisalign and the benefits that come with choosing them over traditional braces.

What are Invisalign Braces?

Invisalign braces are a highly discrete option for straightening your teeth.

Instead of unsightly metal wires and brackets that are cemented to the teeth, Invisalign uses aligner trays that are made of a flexible resin and molded to fit your teeth. These trays gently shift the teeth into a new position over time.

How Does Invisalign Work?

If you choose to straighten your teeth with Invisalign, your dentist will make a mold of your teeth and customize the trays to fit them. Every two weeks, you’ll receive new aligners to accommodate the changes in your teeth and keep them progressing.

In most cases, your teeth will move approximately 0.25 millimeters with each new set of aligners.

Invisalign aligners are very easy to use. All you have to do is pop the trays into place and wear them throughout the day and night. They might take a few days to get used to, but, after that, you’ll probably forget you’re even wearing them.

You can take your aligners out to eat or brush your teeth, but you’ll need to wear them for the rest of the time to really make an impact on your teeth.

Benefits of Invisalign Braces

The most obvious benefit of Invisalign braces is the fact that they are practically invisible. This makes them particularly appealing to adults who feel self-conscious going to business or social events with chunks of metal glued to their teeth.

There are lots of other benefits that come with choosing Invisalign over other options, including the five listed below:

1. Better Oral Health

Traditional braces can cause a number of oral health issues, including:

  • Demineralization
  • Gingivitis
  • Increased sensitivity
  • Increase plaque and tartar buildup
  • Bad breath

In most cases, these issues arise because people with traditional braces have a harder time thoroughly brushing and flossing their teeth. As a result, plaque and tartar can build up and eventually cause more serious issues like decay and infection.

With Invisalign braces, you don’t have to worry about this because you’re able to take the trays out and thoroughly clean your teeth in the morning and at night.

2. They Can Solve a Variety of Problems

It doesn’t matter what kind of problems you’re facing with your teeth. Invisalign braces can be used to treat a variety of orthodontic issues, including:

  • Crooked teeth
  • Gaps
  • Teeth rotation
  • Open bite
  • Overbite

The duration of your treatment may vary depending on the severity of your specific issue. But, with the exception of cases of severe crowding or jaw misalignment, almost anyone can use Invisalign to help straighten their teeth and improve the appearance of their smile.

3. No Dietary Restrictions

Traditional braces come with a variety of dietary restrictions. The following foods are off limits for your entire treatment, which usually lasts between 24 and 36 months:

  • Sweets like doughnuts and pastries
  • Chips and crackers
  • Soda or juice
  • Caramel and other sticky foods
  • Popcorn
  • Nuts
  • Hard candy
  • Raw carrots
  • Bread and bagels
  • Gum

It can be frustrating to have so many foods and drinks be totally off limits for an entire two years.

Luckily, you don’t have to deprive yourself if you use Invisalign to straighten your teeth. You’ll be able to enjoy these foods and drinks without any fear of breaking a bracket or increasing your risk of developing a cavity.

Since you can just take out your aligners to eat or drink, it’s easy to enjoy some of these forbidden foods on occasion. Just make sure you brush your teeth well afterward.

4. Increased Comfort

Metal braces can be quite painful. With all the wires and brackets involved, it’s easy to experience cuts on your gums and tongue. Many people also develop canker sores from the friction that occurs when their tongue rubs against their brackets.

If you play sports, traditional braces can also be dangerous. Getting hit with a ball or colliding with another player could result in a series of painful cuts and lesions.

With Invisalign, you don’t have to worry about these kinds of injuries. The aligners are made from a soft material that fits snugly over your teeth. There aren’t any sharp edges to cut yourself on.

Thanks to their close fit, Invisalign aligners are also perfectly safe to wear while playing sports.

5. Shorter Treatment Time

One of the greatest benefits of Invisalign braces is the fact that the whole treatment process is significantly shorter, even in more complicated cases.

Most people only need to rely on Invisalign for between 12 and 18 months. This is approximately half the treatment time of traditional braces.

You also don’t have to visit the dentist as often when you have Invisalign. If you’re a busy professional or just someone who hates the dentist, this is a major bonus.

You’ll need to go in approximately every six weeks to check your progress, but that’s it. With traditional braces, you typically have to go in every month, or sometimes even more frequently.

Interested in Trying Invisalign?

Do you think Invisalign braces could be the right treatment option for you? Do you want to learn more about the procedure?

If you live in either the Chicago or Frankfurt area, contact Dr. Laurie Schumacher today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how Invisalign can fix your smile.