Why Cosmetic Dentistry is Important For your Health

Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you. It can influence how you feel, impact your confidence, and shape your overall health and well-being. That’s why cosmetic dentistry is essential in maintaining and improving oral health. Whether it’s enhancing your smile, restoring damaged or discolored teeth, or preventing future issues, cosmetic dentistry can have a profound and lasting impact on your life.

The skilled team at Southern Oaks Dental Care of Beaumont, TX, is proud to serve the local community with premium dental and oral care services so that you can restore your confidence in your happy and healthy smile.

What is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry is a branch that focuses on enhancing the appearance of a person’s teeth, gums, and bites. It involves a range of procedures, including teeth whitening, veneers, bonding, and orthodontic treatments, to improve the appearance of a person’s smile.

Why is Cosmetic Dentistry Important?

There are many different benefits that cosmetic dentistry can have on your life, and we have curated the list below for your convenience.

Enhanced Smile and Confidence

A beautiful and healthy smile can boost a person’s self-esteem and confidence. Cosmetic dentistry can help achieve this by fixing cosmetic imperfections and improving the overall appearance of a person’s smile.

Beyond the Aesthetic

Cosmetic dentistry goes beyond just improving the appearance of a person’s smile. Many procedures, such as teeth whitening, can also improve the overall health of a person’s teeth and gums.

Preventing Further Discoloration

Specific cosmetic dentistry procedures, such as veneers, can help protect teeth from further staining and discoloration. This helps to make your appearance seem brighter and has profound structural benefits that can allow you to chew better and prevent bacteria and other pathogens from collecting in unwanted places.

Your Local Oral Care Professionals

If you’re interested in cosmetic dentistry options, it’s crucial to find a skilled and experienced dental professional who can provide you with the expertise and care you need. Your local oral health professional can help determine which cosmetic dentistry options are suitable for you and help you achieve your desired results. During your next appointment with the proficient team at Southern Oaks Dental Care of Beaumont, TX, you can be sure you are receiving the proper care and guidance that you and your family merit.

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Unhappy With Your Smile? 3 Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures That Can Help

Cosmetic dentistry can change your smile in big and small ways. If you’re unhappy with the appearance of your teeth, it’s important to know what you can do to make a change. At Southern Oaks Dental Care, we offer teeth whitening, dental bonding and dental veneer services. Here’s what you need to know about these important cosmetic dentistry procedures in Beaumont TX.

1. Teeth Whitening

As we age, our teeth turn from white to yellow to brown. This is a natural reaction to exposure to staining foods and drinks. Most people prefer white teeth, but aren’t sure what they can do to achieve whiter, brighter teeth.

Professional teeth whitening can make your teeth several shades whiter. With this safe, effective cosmetic dentistry procedure, you can enjoy more attractive teeth that are the same shade as the teeth you had when you were a child. You may be a good candidate for dental whitening if you have healthy teeth and gums, and good oral hygiene habits. Talk to your dentist at Southern Oaks Dental Care to learn more.

2. Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is a type of resin that attaches to the tooth enamel and covers up cosmetic defects like stains, chips and cracks. Dental bonding can last up to 10 years and it looks completely natural. Bonding is maintained with the normal tooth brushing procedures. Talk to your dentist to learn more about dental bonding.

3. Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are false fronts that are placed on the front of the teeth. Like bonding, veneers are designed to cover up cosmetic defects, like stains and discolorations. Veneers look completely natural and can last up to 15 years with good care. Talk to your dentist to find out whether dental veneers or dental bonding is a better fit for your needs.

Find Out More About Cosmetic Dentistry Today in Beaumont, TX

At Southern Oaks Dental Care, we’re happy to provide our patients with cosmetic dentistry services that make the difference. We offer a variety of cosmetic dentistry services to our patients. To learn more about taking care of your teeth with cosmetic dentistry, call your dentist in Beaumont TX today.

How Can I Stop My Coffee From Staining My Teeth?

Like other dark colored drinks, coffee can stain teeth! If you’re one of the millions of people who drink coffee on a regular basis, you may find your coffee staining your teeth over time. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to protect your teeth and keep them pearly white.

Drink It With a Straw

Drinking coffee with a straw allows the liquid to bypass your teeth, and thus protects your teeth from stains. Drinking coffee with a straw used to be uncommon decades ago, but now that iced coffee is a popular drink, you may find yourself naturally drinking coffee through a straw anyway.

Use Some Cream

One of the reasons that coffee stains teeth is because it’s acidic. Putting cream in your coffee helps neutralize the acid in your coffee, thus reducing the chances that coffee will stain your teeth.

Brush Your Teeth After Drinking Coffee

Some people automatically brush their teeth after drinking coffee. If you don’t have a toothbrush on hand, try swishing with water in your mouth after your morning cup. Swishing with water will help wash away the coffee and protect your teeth from the worst of the stains.

Use Whitening Toothpaste

Whitening toothpaste can help remove stains on your teeth. Whitening toothpaste is available at pharmacies and supermarkets. There are many brands available. If you’re not sure which brand is best for you, talk to your dentist in Beaumont, TX to find out which brands are best for you.

Whiten Your Teeth With the Dentist

Despite your best efforts, your teeth may still become stained. You can take care of this problem by getting your teeth whitened at the dentist’s office. Although there are at-home whitening kits, these kits are often not as effective as professional tooth whitening, and they may not last as long.

At Southern Oaks Dental Care, we offer tooth whitening services to help our patients maintain beautiful, white, healthy teeth! To find out more about how you can get your teeth professionally whitened at our dentist office, call today to make your appointment.

Problems Potentially Corrected with Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are small onlays made of body-safe materials that get bonded to the surface of a tooth. Veneers can totally transform a person’s smile, but what problems could be corrected? Here is a short list of problems potentially corrected with dental veneers.

Discoloration of the Enamel

Many types of dental stains can be eradicated through professional whitening procedures. However, some people have teeth that are naturally an undesirable shade due to genetics or because of deep discoloration. Veneers can be created in any tooth shade you want, and when these are applied to the teeth, it completely changes the whiteness or color of the smile.

Oddly Shaped Teeth

Teeth with odd shapes can have a major impact on the overall appearance of your smile. For example, if you have a tooth that is angled on the bottom, it changes the bite and uniformity of your smile. Veneers are a good solution for correcting this issue.

Minor Alignment Issues

Minor alignment issues can also be corrected with dental veneers. Teeth that appear slightly crowded or spaced in an awkward fashion can be covered with a veneer that is perfectly smooth with a uniform shape to correct the issues.

Tooth Sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity issues can make it really difficult to enjoy your favorite foods or even sip on a cool drink. This sensitivity can come from weakened or more porous enamel that allows heat or cold to travel through the tooth and affect the underlying nerves. Veneers can help this issue by covering the porous surface of the tooth and reducing the instance of sensitivity.

Gaps Between Teeth

Veneers can widen the size of a tooth and help close the space that creates noticeable gaps in the smile. For example, if you have a gap between your two front teeth, the veneers can be slightly wider than your natural teeth so the gap will be far less noticeable if it is noticeable at all.

Contact Us About Dental Veneers in Beaumont, TX

Even though veneers may be a bit overshadowed by some other forms of cosmetic treatment, this dental treatment is still just as effective and just as desirable for correcting issues with your smile. If you would like to know if you would be a good candidate for dental veneers, reach out to us at Southern Oaks Dental Care in Beaumont, TX to schedule a consultation.

 

Common Myths Associated with Dental Veneers Exposed

Slight imperfections, misshapen teeth, teeth that are too small, discoloration—all of these are examples of dental situations that can possibly be corrected with veneers. Veneers are onlays that are uniquely customized and shaped to slip over the surface of a tooth to change its overall appearance. While veneers are a popular cosmetic dental treatment, many myths surround them.

Myth: Veneers do not last that long.

Dental veneers can actually last a really long time if the person who has them is attentive to oral hygiene and follows their dentist’s instructions about caring for their veneers. Veneers can last anywhere from 7 to 15 years if they are properly cared for. To get the longest life span from your veneers:

  • Get routine dental checkups and cleanings
  • Brush and floss your teeth and veneers daily
  • Stay away from hard candy
  • Don’t chew on hard objects, such as an ink pen
  • Don’t smoke or use smokeless tobacco

Myth: Veneers stain easily.

Veneers can be made out of composite resin, porcelain, or other materials. Some veneers are easier to stain than others. For example, porcelain veneers can be more prone to stains if you eat or drink a lot of deep-colored foods, such as berries or coffee. However, if you are vigilant about brushing and flossing and having routine oral hygiene visits, you will likely not have issues with your veneers getting stained or discolored.

Myth: Veneers do not protect your smile from further deterioration.

One of the reasons people like veneers is they can get them even if the teeth they have are starting to deteriorate. When a veneer is placed on a tooth, it is sealed in place with a bonding agent similar to what is used to do a dental filling. Therefore, once the veneer is in place, it can actually be a line of protection for teeth that are starting to break down.

Find Out More About Veneers at Southern Oaks Dental Care in Beaumont, TX

Overall, dental veneers can completely transform your smile, and they are a worthy investment. Reach out to us at Southern Oaks Dental Care for more information about veneers or to find out if you are a good candidate for treatment.

Man in dental chair smiling

Wishing You Had White Teeth? Here’s What You Should Know

If you’re like most people, you realize the value of a white, bright smile — and you may be feeling self-conscious because your smile isn’t as dazzling as you’d like it to be. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways available to those who’d like to have whiter teeth. Strategies range from natural, at-home methods that achieve some degree of success for those with mild discoloration and staining to in-office procedures performed by a skilled dentist designed for teeth with more serious, stubborn stains. Here’s what you need to know about having whiter teeth.

Limit Foods and Beverages That Can Stain Your Teeth

One of the most important things to do if your teeth are prone to staining is to avoid foods and beverages that are known to cause stains, such as coffee, black tea, blueberries, and red wine. However, if you’re like most people, you don’t want to give up your favorite things, so make sure you brush your teeth thoroughly after indulging in anything that could stain your teeth. You can also enjoy your favorite beverages by drinking them from a straw to prevent them from having any contact with your teeth.

You can also make a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to brush your teeth when you notice they’ve become slightly stained.

Consult With Your Dentist About Your Whitening Options

If simply limiting stain-causing food and beverage items isn’t enough, make an appointment with your dentist to discuss your whitening options. Chairside bleaching is the most common whitening procedure currently performed, but it’s not always the right choice for everyone, especially those whose teeth are deeply stained. Most modern dentists use laser technology to activate the hydrogen peroxide once the mixture is applied to the teeth.

If your teeth are only lightly stained, your dentist may recommend a whitening toothpaste instead. On the other hand, if your teeth are too deeply stained to benefit from in-office whitening procedures, your dentist may recommend having crowns put on.

Please don’t hesitate to call our office and schedule an appointment if you’d like to find out more about achieving the bright, white smile of your dreams.

Cosmetic Dentistry FAQ

We want all our patients to have healthy teeth and gums and wonderful smiles. Cosmetic dentistry improves the appearance of your smile by whitening teeth, correcting overbites or crooked teeth, replacing missing teeth, or covering imperfections. We would be glad to answer any questions that you. […]

Types of Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry is its own type of dentistry, separate from general dentistry, endodontics or other specialties. This type focuses on creating a brighter, more beautiful smile. Nonetheless, it also includes the health of your mouth. […]