Misaligned teeth and tooth gaps can hurt your confidence in your smile. While braces are typically the first thing that is recommended or chosen by patients, there are other options to help give you a more confident smile. Loving the look of your smile and feeling confident when seeing others in public can be accomplished without the awkward stage of metal braces. Cosmetic dentistry procedures can help patients achieve a healthier and better smile within just a few appointments.

Common Causes Of Gaps And Misalignment

Before you look into ideas for how to align teeth or close gaps in your mouth, it can be helpful to understand how or why teeth become crooked. Several factors can contribute to crooked teeth, including genetics, thumb sucking as a child, untreated tooth loss, and poor oral habits. Teeth that become out of place can be more than just a cosmetic issue, as they can cause jaw strain, unnecessary tooth wear, and gum problems. Even if the service you seek is labeled as cosmetic, getting some of these services can be crucial to your overall oral health.

Dental Bonding

One of the most versatile ways to improve your smile is dental bonding. Cosmetic bonding is an effective way to address many different issues, such as cracks, gaps, and stains. This is one of the most affordable and painless processes that can help you obtain a polished smile. Your dentist will use a composite resin that molds to the tooth and covers gaps or imperfections. They will then seal the resin with an LED light to provide a more natural look. Instead of easily noticeable fillings, bonded teeth will look natural and not too perfect, helping them look and feel like your own.

Veneers

Another way to help improve the look, shape, and feel of your teeth is with veneers. These help to give your teeth a more perfect square shape and a smooth surface. Veneers are perfectly tailored to your natural teeth, ensuring the best fit possible while helping avoid decay of the natural tooth. This procedure can be used to help with a wide range of dental issues, including minor misalignments.

Porcelain Crowns

For major issues, broken teeth, or partially decayed teeth, porcelain crowns are a great, durable solution. Crowns help to restore the original shape and function of your teeth, which not only helps you love the look of your smile, but also makes talking and eating much easier. A dentist will take impressions of your teeth to create the dental crown. The lab-crafted crown will then be cemented to your original tooth, ensuring durability through different stages of life.

Clear Aligners

Another alternative to braces is clear aligners or Invisalign. They can accomplish the same movement and straightening as traditional braces, without the look of brackets, wires, and elastics. Clear aligners may take longer to show results, especially if you have complex issues like an overbite, teeth in the roof of your mouth, or missing teeth. While these other services can be completed in your dental office, clear aligner fittings and appointments may need to be through a different provider.

Combining Multiple Services

Multiple cosmetic services, also known as a smile makeover, can be beneficial if you have many oral problems you are dealing with. Achieving better results may be possible when a dentist or orthodontist can use different methods for different teeth. Working on your entire smile with only one service will not provide a polished look. Smile makeovers will be more expensive than a single service because of the extra labor and materials.

Cosmetic Services From Sunset Dental

Sunset Dental wants to help all of our patients achieve their dream smile. We offer simple services like cleanings and fillings as well as cosmetic dentistry procedures. You can have peace of mind about the longevity of your oral health when you work with the hygienists and dentist at Sunset Dental. Each member of our team is here to suggest the best habits and procedures for your unique situation.

Our office is here to serve your entire family, from children to the elderly. When you trust us with your health, we don’t take that lightly. If you are in Sunset, Utah, or the surrounding area, we would love to be your family dentist for years to come. Reach out to us to schedule your first appointment or ask questions about our services.

When a baby is cutting teeth, they can become irritable, develop a fever, or have trouble sleeping. Teething babies can be hard to console, especially when they are in pain. When teething, their gums and mouth can be extremely sore or inflamed, even after the tooth pokes through the gums. Talking to your pediatrician or family dentist may be a good place to start if you are unsure what proper teething looks like, but if you are unable to chat with a professional, there are home remedies you can use. If you are searching for ways to help your baby feel more comfortable and experience less discomfort, here are some tips you can use during the teething process. 

How To Tell If Your Baby Is Teething

Some babies won’t have obvious symptoms when teething, but they may struggle with nap times and eating as a first sign of new teeth. Some other symptoms that can appear include:

• Drooling more than usual
• Chewing on every available object
• Acting cranky or irritable
• Face rash
• Slight rise in temperature (fever of 100 degrees or below)
• Tender gums

If your child has other symptoms of sickness, like diarrhea or a high-grade fever, these are not signs of teething. Consult your physician if symptoms worsen or do not align with mild discomfort.

Use A Chilled Teething Ring

If you can see teeth poking through your baby’s gums or they are showing signs of teething, one way you can help soothe their gums is by providing a chilled teething ring. It is never advisable to put frozen items directly on the child’s gums, whether a teething item or food. Wet washcloths, chilled teething rings, or pacifiers can help to soothe irritated gums. 

You should avoid items coated in sugary substances as these can cause cavities. Don’t dip the pacifiers or teething toys in anything before letting your child chew on them. Frozen ice pops or frozen foods should also be avoided because they can cause frostbite on the baby’s sensitive gums.

Liquid Acetaminophen Or Ibuprofen

There are pain relievers and fever reducers made for infants, which should only be used if your baby is very cranky or has a high fever. Long-term use of these medications can cause damage to the liver or kidneys, so it is important to use them in moderation. Liquid acetaminophen or liquid ibuprofen can be used to help reduce the pain in teeth and gums.

Try Cold Fruit And Vegetables

Soft squishy fruits (for children over the age of 1) can also be helpful if they are chilled. Bananas, raspberries, or blueberries crushed up in a mesh tether can be a healthy and cooling way to keep a baby’s mouth occupied. It is important to watch the child to avoid choking when giving them small foods. Baby food that has been chilled in the fridge may also be soothing on their gums while providing them with essential nutrients and reducing the choking hazard.

Cuddles And Rocking

When your child is sick or sad, they will want to cuddle, sleep, and spend time with you. Allowing your child to sleep and rocking them can actually help when they are teething or overcoming a sickness. Spending time at home and providing comfort to a teething baby can help them recover more quickly.

Remedies You Should NEVER Use

Despite what family members or the internet may say, there are some home remedies that should never be used on your child’s teeth. One of the most common ones recommended by older generations is to rub alcohol on the child’s gums. Alcohol is extremely damaging to the body, especially before the legal drinking age. NEVER use any type of alcohol for a teething baby.

Teething necklaces or bracelets are an extreme choking hazard for teething children. The beads or small parts can come loose, and the string can also be a strangulation hazard. 

Other remedies you should avoid include:

• Homeopathic teething tablets
• Medicines with benzocaine or lidocaine
• Allowing babies to chew on random objects around your home.

Dental Care From Our Dental Team

Sunset Dental Care offers services for your whole family, allowing you to have healthy teeth, gums, and confidence in your smile. Our dentists and hygienists do their best to make every patient feel comfortable and safe in our office. We know that going to the dentist can be stressful and scary for many people. Having a welcoming atmosphere, friendly staff, and modern dental tools is important to you having a quality experience. Whether you need a typical check-up, cosmetic work, or dental extractions, the team at Sunset Dental should be your first choice. Schedule your appointment to get started today!

Porcelain veneers are a common cosmetic dentistry procedure that is used for those with missing teeth, extremely discolored teeth, or decayed teeth who want to improve the look of their smile. Veneers are made of hard porcelain and used to create a straighter smile, which can boost patient confidence and improve chewing ability. When a patient gets veneers, some may assume that they need to perform less care because they are “fake teeth.” Following the best care for your veneers is just as important as caring for your original teeth, because the porcelain can still become damaged, and your mouth will still experience bacteria.

In this blog, we will share some of the best ways to care for your veneers, keeping them strong and bright, and how to prevent other oral issues. 

Choose The Right Toothpaste

The best way to care for your veneers is to avoid foods or toothpastes that are extremely acidic. Acid can wear down the protective coatings and cause your veneers to look discolored. It can also weaken the material, leading to an increased risk of cracks, chips, or complete failure of the tooth. Gel toothpaste is typically best for veneers because it is not as gritty as other toothpastes. Avoid products that contain baking soda or hydrogen peroxide, as these will break down the material of your veneers. 

In addition to using the right toothpaste, patients also need to keep up with regular oral health activities, including brushing and flossing. Brushing twice a day and flossing regularly will help keep bacteria and plaque from building up on your teeth. Letting these build up can cause cavities, discoloration, and infections.

Wear A Mouthguard During Sports Or Rough Activities

Rough activities are hard on teeth, whether your traditional teeth or veneers. Contact sports or other extreme physical activities can cause damage to your teeth, jaw, and facial muscles. Wearing a mouthguard will help protect all of your teeth from getting knocked loose or cracked. Mouthguards should be worn during contact sports, extreme sports, or jobs where facial impact could be possible.  

Avoid Using Your Teeth As Tools

One abnormal way to care for your veneers is to avoid using your mouth and teeth as tools. Avoid opening packages, tearing tags, or lifting bottle caps with your teeth, as this can cause weakening of the enamel or porcelain. Using your teeth as tools may seem convenient, but frequent use and extreme force on the teeth can cause breakage. If you want to avoid cracked or chipped veneers and paying to replace them, stick to scissors or bottle openings for help. 

Limit Staining Foods

Soda, alcohol, citrus fruits, and candy can all cause discoloration on teeth, regardless of how often we brush or whiten them. Since veneers are a composite material, they may soak up more color or be more prone to the effects of acid than traditional teeth, meaning that you should avoid excess if you want the veneers to look bright and white.

Getting veneers doesn’t mean you need to avoid your favorite foods; you may just need to cut back on the frequency at which you consume them. If you are worried about staining your veneers, talk with your dentist about what foods you should specifically avoid or how to combat the effects of acid. 

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

All people need to visit the dentist regularly to stay on top of their oral health. Professional teeth cleanings and checkups are essential for long-lasting teeth. Your dental check-ups can help catch potential problems like cavities, gum disease, or inflammation that could lead to bigger problems if left untreated. Dentists and hygienists can help provide a thorough cleaning around your gums, teeth, crowns, veneers, and even braces, removing built-up plaque and food particles. Going to the dentist after getting veneers will ensure they remain bonded to your original teeth or secured properly in place.

Cosmetic Services From Sunset Dental

Sunset Dental offers quality dental cleanings and services for the whole family! We specialize in cleanings, cosmetic dentistry, and preventative dental care, so you can have peace of mind about you and your child’s oral health. Our team strives to provide a comfortable and inviting dental office, especially for those who may fear or have anxiety about dental procedures. We want all of our patients to feel confident in coming to the dentist and confident in their smile. You can have strong and healthy teeth when you seek regular dental care. If you are looking for a dentist who cares about you and your family’s oral health, schedule an appointment with us today!