Oral Care

Oral Care | If you’ve admitted to yourself that you need to turn over a new leaf, going into the new year is the perfect time to do so. But don’t forget about your oral care routine when you make your New Year’s resolutions! If your dental health is already where it should be, you might want to consider a cosmetic treatment like professional teeth whitening.

Let’s look at a few ways that you can improve your oral care routine so that you can get, or maintain, healthy white teeth and a more confident smile.

Dental Veneers

Are your teeth and smile in pretty good shape except for minor cosmetic problems like chips or discoloration? If so, you should consider getting dental veneers. Veneers are available in two types: composite and porcelain.

The porcelain type of dental veneer consists of a thin shell of porcelain that is bonded to the front surfaces of teeth that need some cosmetic enhancements. Porcelain is a strong and durable material that closely matches the color of natural teeth.

Composite is applied in a series of layers as a putty-like material. Once your dentist has applied it in a series of layers, they will dry and harden it to match the appearance of a natural tooth. Finally, they will smooth the composite’s surface for a clean finish.

Oral Exam

The routine oral care exam appointment is a great way to ensure that your dental health is where it needs to be. Normally preceding a dental cleaning, the oral exam involves an examination of your teeth, mouth, and gums by your dental hygienist. Hopefully, everything is as it should be. If not, your hygienist will call in the dentist to take a closer look and see if any treatments are called for.

Dental Cleaning

A dental cleaning appointment is a type of preventative care that involves the removal of plaque. Plaque eventually hardens into something called tartar. Both can be removed by a dental professional using specialized tools. Your hygienist will scrape away plaque and tartar from your teeth, following it up with the flossing of your teeth.

Dental Sealants

Sealants are relatively new type of treatment that many patients are unfamiliar with. Dental sealants are able to reduce the odds of tooth decay development by up to 80%, according to the American Dental Association.

Getting dental sealants couldn’t be easier. The process does not involve:

Drilling

Long treatment time

Great expense

Getting dental sealants for yourself or your child actually saves you money in the long run by preventing costly dental work like dental fillings and crowns. To receive sealants, your dentist will apply a thin liquid that will harden and provide a nice seal against the entry of oral bacteria that cause tooth decay.