When was the last time you looked at yourself in the mirror and smiled?  Try it out!  Not only is it good for your self esteem, but it lets you have a peek at what the rest of the world sees when you smile.  Perhaps you have stopped smiling all together, or hold your hand over your mouth when you speak to other people.  It could be for a number of reasons so lets talk about a few.

Sometimes we lose our white smile because older white fillings have darkened over the years.  Coffee, tea, red wine and many other things we eat or drink can cause staining.  Simply replacing these old composites (white fillings) with newer, less porous materials can give you an instant "lift".  And who can't use a little of that?

The enamel itself can also stain over time.  Over the counter bleaching materials can help some, but our office provides stronger "bleaches" that work much faster.  After having a thorough exam to check for cavities or other problems you may have, we take an "impression" of your teeth and within a few days you will have your custom bleaching tray to use at home!  The results can be remarkable.  A white smile is a young smile.

We will discuss more options such as veneers and porcelain crowns in our blog over the next few weeks, but for more ideas you can go to the website for the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry at  www.aacd.com.                          - Dr. Patricia DeVore