One of the easiest ways to enjoy a more beautiful smile is with teeth whitening. In fact, it can be as easy as making a trip to your local drug store or supermarket to choose any one of a variety of over-the-counter whitening products. But before you invest in one of these whiteners, you should know that OTC products are never as effective as having your teeth whitened by your dentist, who will not only use a stronger whitening agent, but also create a custom-made tray that will deliver that product evenly across the surface of every tooth.

But whether you choose an over-the-counter product or decide to have your teeth whitened by your dentist, you should know that you may experience some side effects from whitening. For most people, these side effects are short-lived and relatively mild, but others might experience more intense side effects. It all depends on your teeth and gums, as well as the current state of your oral health. So before you go through with the process, here are some important reminders about what you might experience after whitening.

• Increased sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drinks: For most patients, the sensitivity is minor and only lasts for a brief period of time. But if you have sensitive teeth to begin with, you could experience more than minor discomfort, and it may last longer than you expect it to.
• Sore throat: Although this is a relatively rare side effect, some people do experience a slightly sore throat after the whitening procedure. This typically goes away within a few hours.
• Pain in the front teeth: This side effect usually occurs during the whitening process and goes away as soon as the procedure is done.
• Bluish tinge on teeth: If you use whitening products too frequently, you could over-whiten your teeth, and that will make them look slightly blue.Although significant side effects from whitening are extremely rare, they do happen, which is all the more reason to visit a dentist to have your teeth whitened. Your dentist will use only the most trusted and proven effective whitening products and will be careful to protect your gums and teeth to minimize sensitivity issues. Your dentist will also review your dental history and make an assessment with regard to the current state of your overall oral health, so he or she can help you decide whether or not whitening your teeth is the best choice for you.

An endodontist is a dental professional who specializes in root canal treatments. A root canal is a procedure where the nerves and pulp of a tooth are removed, which is usually required if an infection exists and it has spread to these areas of the tooth. Although many dentists perform root canals, some do not. Those who don’t typically perform root canals will refer their patients to an endodontist for treatment. But there are those situations where even a dentist who is experienced in root canals may recommend that a patient visit an endodontist for treatment. What follows are some of those situations.

• Lack of experience: Although many dentists offer root canals as one of the services they provide to their patients, most don’t actually perform root canals very often. If a dentist doesn’t feel comfortable with his or her level of experience with this procedure, the dentist may refer the patient to an endodontist for treatment.
• Complexity: The complexity of a root canal procedure varies from one patient to the next. If a general dentist comes across a patient who requires a complicated root canal, he or she may feel more comfortable referring that patient to an endodontist – even if the dentist has significant experience performing more routine root canals.
• Availability: If a root canal needs to be done right away, as is often the case when the infected tooth is creating a great deal of pain or discomfort for the patient, an endodontist is sometimes recommended. Because these dental professionals focus solely on root canals and not on general dentistry, they are usually more capable of adjusting their schedules to get the patient in right away.
• Technology: Because endodontists specialize in root canal treatment, they are more likely to use the latest state-of-the-art technology specifically designed for this procedure. This might include digital imaging, fiber optics, and/or ultrasonic instrumentation, for example.
• Efficiency: Dental professionals who specialize in one specific area of dentistry – such as endodontists, for example – are typically capable of getting patients in and out relatively quickly. In fact, most root canals performed by endodontists can be completed in a single visit to the office.

Endodontists work hand-in-hand with general dentists to make sure that your root canal procedure will go smoothly, that your affected tooth will be saved, and that you will heal quickly after the procedure is complete. If your dentist refers to you an endodontist for treatment, don’t be alarmed. On the contrary, this type of referral is usually an indication that your dentist wants to provide you with the highest quality service possible – even if it means that someone else will be providing that service.

It’s natural for our teeth to begin to turn yellow as we age. Although that’s not a particularly appealing thought, most of us can fight back against the dreaded yellow hue by using a whitening toothpaste and having our teeth professionally whitened from time to time. But if you consistently eat foods or drink beverages that stain your teeth, keeping them white can be an uphill battle. Here are a few foods and drinks to avoid — or at least keep to a minimum – to help your pearly whites stay white.

• Citrus and citrus juice: Acidic foods and drinks can damage the enamel on your teeth. Once that happens, your teeth will take on a yellowish hue. Even more bad news – once your enamel is gone, you can’t replace it, and no amount of professional whitening will restore your teeth to their natural color. Among the worst culprits in the acidic food and drink category are lemons and limes. Keep your consumption of these to an absolute minimum for healthy enamel.
• Coffee and tea: For most of us, coffee and/or black tea is just part of our daily routines. Unfortunately, these two beverages wreak havoc with your teeth – and the darker the brew, the worse the stains will be.
• Red wine: This is bad news for wine lovers. The tannins in red wine cause significant staining of your teeth. As it turns out, tannins bind to the tooth surface, and that allows pigments in the wine to take hold and stain your teeth.
• Balsamic vinegar: The dark, acidic nature of balsamic vinegar clings to the surface of your teeth, and that makes it an effective tooth-staining substance. Fortunately, most of us don’t actually drink it, but you might think twice before eating it on a regular basis – like in salad dressings or with bread and olive oil, for example.
• Curry: A favorite spice in both Indian and Thai foods, curry can also badly stain your teeth. That vivid yellow color looks good on the plate, but not so much on your teeth.
• Tomatoes: Once again, the color of the food can be a good indicator of how badly it can stain your teeth. Tomatoes not only stain; their acidity also erodes tooth enamel.
• Beets: Have you ever noticed how beets leave a stain behind on your hands and your cutting board and/or kitchen counter? They do exactly the same with your teeth.
• Berries and cherries: Just about any fruit can stain your teeth, but the deeper the color of the fruit, the worse it will be for staining. Cherries and berries both fall into this category.

Of course, we’re not suggesting that you eliminate these foods and beverages from your diet entirely. In fact, many are highly nutritious and beneficial to your overall health. But if you want to keep your teeth as white as possible, just practice a little moderation when it comes to these top tooth stainers.

If you’ve noticed white spots on your teeth, you’re not the only one! As a matter of fact, it’s very common for people of all ages to have white spots on their teeth. There could be a variety of reasons for this, including the following:

• Dental fluorosis – This condition occurs when your teeth are exposed to too much fluoride, and is a common reason for white spots on children’s teeth. Although fluoride definitely helps to prevent cavities, too much of it can cause other problems. If your child’s drinking water contains fluoride, and he or she is getting fluoride from a variety of other sources – toothpastes and mouthwashes, for example – your child might be getting too much fluoride. Talk to your dentist about how much fluoride is appropriate, then take steps to reduce the amount your child is exposed to, if necessary.
• Poor nutrition – If you’re not getting enough calcium and other important minerals and nutrients, the enamel on your teeth can suffer the consequences. And this often shows up as white spots on your teeth.
• Celiac disease – Even if you have a balanced diet, if you have a condition like celiac disease – which prevents the body from absorbing nutrients in food – you could still suffer from nutritional deficiencies, and that can lead to white spots on your teeth.
• Bacteria – If you have poor oral hygiene, bacteria will begin to grown on your teeth. That bacteria will demineralize your tooth surface, which leads to white spots and, eventually, cavities.
• A high fever – Especially prevalent in children are white spots on teeth that come as a result of running a high fever, specifically due to a loss of minerals on the tooth surface. Even if your child is quite ill, make sure he or she continues to brush their teeth to reduce bacteria and prevent white spots from forming.
• Medication – A variety of medicines have been linked to white spots on teeth. If you are taking any form of medication and notice white spots, talk to your dentist to find out the best way to treat them.

Whatever the cause may be, if you have white spots on your teeth, your dentist can help you to identify the reason and recommend the best way to remove them. Sometimes, it’s simply a matter of having your teeth professionally cleaned and polished, then following up by avoiding the cause of the spotting if possible, and always practicing a good daily oral hygiene routine at home.

If you’re like most people, you probably brush your teeth twice and day and floss once. That’s a typical at-home oral hygiene routine for most of us. But if you’re doing that and still experiencing oral health issues, or if you just want to ensure that you’re doing everything you can to have healthy teeth and gums, there are other steps you can take as well. If you have relatively good oral health to begin with, and don’t suffer from any major problems – such as oral cancer or gum disease, for example – what follows is the best oral hygiene routine that you can practice each day at home:

• Brush twice a day, and make sure one of those times is after your last meal or snack and before you go to bed. This will get rid of food particles that would be more likely to feed bacteria if left in your mouth overnight.
• Be sure to brush properly. Move your toothbrush in gentle, circular motions across the surface of each tooth. Take your time, and don’t brush too hard since that can damage tooth enamel. Remember to brush your tongue as well, since bacteria can accumulate there.
• Use the right toothpaste. This can vary depending on your specific oral health concerns. Make sure the product you choose is ADA approved. If you’re concerned about tooth decay, choose a fluoride toothpaste. If you have sensitive teeth, use a product designed to reduce sensitivity. The selection of available products is huge, so ask your dentist for a recommendation if you’re not sure which is right for you.
• Floss at least once every day. If you do it only once, make sure it’s after you brush your teeth at night. Flossing twice a day – after each time you brush – is even better. Hold the floss firmly and move it in a “C” shape between each tooth.
• Use a water flosser. To really increase the effectiveness of flossing, add a water flosser to your routine. These instruments take a little practice, but after a week or so of using it every day, you’ll be a pro. Just follow the instructions, and use it every night – after you’ve already brushed and flossed.
• Rinse with an anti-microbial mouthwash. The final step in the best oral hygiene routine should include rinsing for 30 seconds with an anti-microbial mouthwash. This will help to eliminate bacteria that can accumulate and lead to tooth decay and gum disease. As is true with toothpaste, there are many brands available. Look for the ADA label of approval. And if you still can’t decide, ask your dentist for a recommendation.

By following this daily routine at home, and by visiting your dentist twice a year for routine exams and cleanings, you can be certain that you’re doing everything within your power to enjoy good oral health for a lifetime!

When most of us see other people smile, we think that it’s an indication that they’re happy. Although that’s probably an accurate assumption, the reverse is true as well: when you smile, you feel happier! In fact, several studies conducted over the past few years have shown that smiling more can improve your overall mood and outlook on life. This isn’t just a psychological phenomenon; it’s based on the physiology of smiling. Researchers have found that when you use the muscles necessary to smile, it causes your brain to release endorphins that create feelings of happiness and euphoria. So if you smile – even if you don’t want to or don’t feel like you’re in the mood for smiling – you’ll actually feel happier.

• Here are a few other interesting facts about smiles that have been identified in recent studies:
• Smiles are instinctual. Babies are capable of smiling as soon as they’re born!
• When you smile, you use between 5 and 53 muscles in your face.
• You know the old saying about smiling being contagious? As it turns out, that’s true! When other people see you smile, they will start to smile too – sometimes without even realizing they’re doing it.
• Smiling not only elevates your mood; it boosts your immune system as well.
• Research suggests that people who smile a lot live longer.
• Studies conducted at the University of California-San Francisco identified 19 different types of smiles.

Unfortunately, just because we know smiling is beneficial doesn’t mean we’ll do it any more often. This is especially true if you are embarrassed by your smile, which is why it’s so important to talk to your dentist about ways to improve it. There are a number of ways that modern dentistry can give you a more attractive smile:

• Teeth whitening – One of the fastest and least expensive ways to brighten your smile is with professional teeth whitening services.
• Braces – Whether you choose traditional metal braces or new invisible plastic aligner trays, getting a straighter smile has never been easier.
• Porcelain veneers – An extremely thin layer of porcelain applied directly over the surface of your natural teeth can give you a movie star smile in no time!
• Dental bonding – This procedure is often a great way to correct minor dental issues and give you a beautiful smile at the same time.

Never underestimate the power of a smile. And if you’re embarrassed about yours, don’t hesitate to speak to your dentist. Having a more attractive smile may be much easier than you think!

If you’re “of a certain age,” then chances are you have older fillings and crowns. While it’s true that nothing lasts forever – including dental restorations – there are some steps you can take to protect your older fillings and crowns for as long as possible. Here are a few tips to do just that:

• Be careful what you eat. Avoid foods that could damage your dental work. This includes chewing anything too hard, like ice and hard candy, for example. But there are other foods that also pose a threat, although maybe not such an obvious one. These include popcorn kernels, nuts, and even some brands of granola cereal and trail mix. Stay away from anything too chewy as well, since candy and other forms of sticky or chewy food can damage older restorations.
• Wear a mouth guard. This is especially important if you are active in sports or engage in any type of physical activity that might result in injury to your mouth. Even bicycling might put you at higher risk of damaging your teeth (and your older restorations), so it’s a good idea to utilize a mouth guard just in case. These appliances are also helpful if you grind your teeth at night, which can wear down teeth and put extra stress on your fillings and crowns. Mouth guards come in two varieties, generally speaking: a one-size-fits-all generic type, and custom-made appliances created by your dentist.
• Keep up with your daily oral hygiene routine. The last thing you need is decay forming around or under existing dental work. So it’s important to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible.

At home, that means brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once a day. You might also consider using an anti-bacterial mouthwash to remove bacteria that can lead to gum disease, and if you really want to give your dental work and your gums an added measure of protection, invest in a water flossing device and use it nightly. Of course, no at-home routine can ensure good oral health without regular visits to your dentist twice a year for professional cleanings and oral exams.

Eventually, chances are that you will need to have your older fillings and crowns replaced. But the good news is that by following these few simple tips, you might be able to delay that process for a while longer. Talk to your dentist about the condition of your existing dental restorations to find out more.

Teeth are strong, there’s no doubt about it. But even healthy teeth are not indestructible. In fact, what may seem to be harmless actions or habits can lead to a cracked tooth, and a cracked tooth will ultimately need to be repaired by your dentist in one form or another. So it just makes sense to avoid getting a cracked tooth in the first place if possible. Here are a few ways you can stop your teeth from cracking.

• Wear a mouth guard. If you play sports, or if you engage in any type of activity that could lead to a fall – bicycling, for example – it’s smart to wear a mouth guard to protect your teeth from injury. There are several types available, from a one-size-fits-all version to one that’s custom-made by your dentist.
• Avoid chewing anything that might damage your teeth. The most obvious culprits are ice and hard candy. But you should exercise caution when chewing anything hard, including popcorn kernels, nuts and chewy or crunchy candy, for example.
• Try to chew on both sides of your mouth. Just as a certain tool is more prone to damage if you use it all the time, those teeth that are used more than others will be more prone to cracking.
• Stop grinding your teeth. This habit can weaken your teeth, making them more likely to crack. If you grind your teeth when you’re awake, it may be simply a matter of becoming aware of the habit and quitting it. But if you grind your teeth at night (also referred to as bruxism), you may need help to stop. Talk to your dentist about night guards and other alternatives that will prevent you from doing any damage as a result of grinding your teeth.
• Visit your dentist on a regular basis. If you leave dental problems untreated, they will weaken your teeth, and that will make it more likely that your teeth will crack.

One of the best ways to avoid cracked teeth is to pay attention to your oral health. This may sound obvious, but it becomes increasingly important as we age. Just like bones, teeth become more brittle as people age. So it’s important to take good care of your teeth and gums by practicing a daily oral hygiene routine at home, visiting your dentist on a regular basis for exams and professional cleanings, and enjoying a diet that includes fresh produce, calcium-rich foods, and lean protein. By doing all that, in addition to following the tips listed above, you can avoid cracked teeth and the dental work that goes along with them.

It’s an unfortunate but true fact of life for parents of teenagers: we can’t be around them all day long to help them make the right choices. But we can set a good example and provide them with plenty of encouragement to make the choices in life that are best for them. This includes choosing the foods that promote healthy teeth and gums. Rather than letting your teens fill up on sweets and fast foods, make sure you have these tooth-healthy choices available for them at home on a regular basis. Once they become accustomed to making healthy diet choices at home, they’re much more likely to make those same choices when they are out in the world on their own:

• Lean protein – Protein is vital for all of us, and the phosphorus found in many protein-rich foods helps to keep teeth strong. Fortunately, there is a huge variety of lean protein choices available to keep on hand for your teenager, such as eggs, poultry and fish, as well as beans and nuts.
• Low-fat dairy products – Packed full of calcium, low-fat milk, cheese and yogurt are excellent additions to your teenager’s tooth-healthy diet. And there are other great options that fall into this same category, such as fortified nut “milk” and flavored tofu.
• Fresh produce – Your teen’s teeth and gums will benefit from the vitamins and minerals found in virtually all fresh produce. But the vitamin C found in citrus fruits, peppers, tomatoes, potatoes and spinach is especially healthy for their gums. Crunchy snacks like apples, carrots and celery not only provide vitamins and minerals; these foods also promote saliva production and help to keep teeth clean.
• Nuts – Most teens love to snack, so keep nuts on hand to give them a healthy snack alternative. The calcium and phosphorus found in almonds, cashews and Brazil nuts help to make teeth stronger and to fight tooth decay.
• Sugar-free chewing gum – Believe it or not, chewing sugar-free gum is actually good for your teen’s teeth and gums! Chewing gum helps to stimulate the production of saliva, which works to wash away any leftover food particles inside the mouth, and that reduces that chance for cavity-developing bacteria to grow. Just make sure that the chewing gum you have on hand for your teens is sugar-free.

The other very important part of helping your teenager to make the right diet choices is to avoid having bad ones around the house. Don’t keep sodas on hand, for example. The sugar can lead to tooth decay, and the acidity in sodas (even diet sodas!) can erode tooth enamel. Instead, keep fluoridated bottled water at home for your teen. Don’t stock up on candy, crackers and other processed food. Instead, have plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and low-fat dairy products available for your teens. We may not be able to be there every minute of the day, but we can still encourage our teenagers to make diet choices that are healthy for their teeth and gums, as well as their overall health.

Starting your child off right when it comes to daily oral hygiene can mean the difference between a lifetime of good habits and a never-ending string of dental problems. One of the most important choices you can make when it comes to your child’s oral health is finding the right toothpaste. Not only does it need to be effective and appropriate for the age of your child; it also has to have a flavor that your little one will like.

Most kids are cavity-prone. And one of the best ways to fight tooth decay is exposure to a naturally occurring mineral called fluoride. Not only does fluoride help to decrease the number of cavities for your child; it also helps to strengthen the enamel of baby teeth. In fact, fluoride is so effective that many cities and towns have added it to their municipal water supplies. The amount of fluoride your child is exposed to can make a marked difference in his or her oral health. For this reason, many dentists recommend a fluoride toothpaste for children. This is particularly important if your water supply does not contain fluoride.

The toothpaste you choose for your child should be approved by the American Dental Association, so look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance on the package label. And, of course, the paste should come in a flavor your child enjoys – or can at least tolerate. Fortunately, kids’ toothpastes usually come in a variety of flavors, one of which is likely to appeal to the tastes of your little one.

Whatever toothpaste you choose for your child, make sure that you use the age-appropriate amount. For toddlers, that’s not very much. In fact, the ADA recommends only a “smear” of fluoride toothpaste for kids under 3, which is about the size of a grain of rice. Older kids (above the age of 3) should be using a pea-sized amount. And, just like adults, children should have their teeth brushed at least twice a day.

Parents should also be aware that the ADA recommends taking children in for their first visit to the dentist at or around the age of 1, or whenever their first baby tooth erupts. This may sound early, but the sooner your child becomes accustomed to dental visits, the easier it will be to take them as they grow older. Another advantage to early dental visits is that your little one can be educated about good oral hygiene habits by your dentist, who will also be more likely to catch dental problems or bad oral habits (like thumb-sucking, for example) early enough to resolve them quickly if you bring your kids in at an early age.