Monthly Archives: August 2011

Teeth whitening: Enjoy a brighter smile

One of the best ways you can makeover your smile is by whitening and brightening your teeth.  has a variety of options that can help to achieve that new, brighter smile.  A cosmetic dentist trains for many years to be able to help patients achieve that confident new smile in a variety of ways.

A professional teeth cleaning and polishing by your dentist or dental hygienist is a good start.  But if your teeth have developed a dull, lackluster appearance, teeth whitening in your dental office can alter your appearance significantly in a short period of time.  The process of in-office whitening primarily involves the use of a high-concentration peroxide gel and a curing light.  Your dental professional will apply a product to prevent the gel from exposure to your gum tissue and other parts of your mouth.   Once completed, your dentist may advise you to avoid consuming dark colored food or beverages for at least one week.   Very stubborn stains may require additional treatment or you may wish to enhance your office treatment with one of the many home-use whitening products.

If this teeth whitening process is not for you, there are more permanent options available.  Your cosmetic dentist may recommend dental veneers, which is basically a shell or layer of tooth colored porcelain or composite material that is placed on the front surface of your teeth.  This process can be used for discolored teeth, which may have lost their luster due to worn tooth enamel or trauma, or due to stains from eating, drinking, smoking or aging.

Another process you may opt for is cosmetic bonding.  This involves placing composite material on the teeth you wish to whiten.  This process is more extensive than teeth whitening, but less invasive than dental veneers.

If your goal is a whiter and brighter smile, our cosmetic dentists can offer you an option that will fit your budget, time frame, and desired result.  Call our office to schedule an appointment.  Whatever treatment you choose, you can expect to see a substantial improvement in your smile.  You can extend the life of the smile you achieve by seeing your dentist for regular check-ups, and practicing excellent oral hygiene by brushing and flossing twice each day.

Don’t Neglect Tooth Decay

Denver dental officeTooth decay is the most common problem dealt with in the dental office. It is also the most commonly neglected issue with the teeth, and the most common cause of tooth loss. Because of the prevalence of tooth decay, and the possible consequences if it is not dealt with promptly, it is important to visit your dental office in Denver on a regular basis to detect decay in time for treatment to be effective.

Symptoms of Tooth Decay

The best time to detect tooth decay is before it has progressed to a point where symptoms are obvious. This is why careful examination and X-rays are so important to your regular dental care regimen. A dentist can detect decay long before you notice symptoms and can provide treatment before the tooth is threatened.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should see your dentist right away, as they could be indications of advanced decay:

  • Unusual sensitivity in the teeth
  • Discomfort in the teeth or the jawbone
  • Bad breath
  • Dark spots on the surface of the teeth

If tooth decay has advanced to the point where you experience these symptoms, it might be severe, or an infection might have developed. Your dentist may need to perform more extensive work than would have been necessary if the decay had been previously diagnosed during a regular dental visit.

Preventing Tooth Decay

The best way to manage tooth decay is through prevention. Preventing decay is the major goal of both everyday at-home dental hygiene and regular visits to your dental office. All of the following at-home practices help reduce the likelihood of decay:

  • Avoid sugary or sticky foods and beverages
  • Brush and floss regularly
  • Use a fluoride toothpaste

In addition, be sure to visit your dentist every six months for a thorough cleaning, examination of your teeth and gums, and X-rays and fluoride treatments as necessary. By following these guidelines, you will be more likely to avoid serious tooth decay.

Don’t Let Your Teeth Suffer as a Result of Your Diet

Maintaining a healthy diet is one of the best ways to ensure the health and longevity of your teeth. Some foods help your teeth grow strong and healthy, while others help support your immune system. The latter help your body defend against gum disease and infection. Other foods should be avoided to reduce the chance of tooth decay. Our dentist near Denver can help you determine the best balance of nutrition to ensure your oral health.

A Healthy Diet to Support Your Oral Health

The best diet to support oral health is basically the same kind of diet you would follow to support your health overall. Guidelines for a diet that will keep your teeth healthy include:

  • Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables
  • Avoid sweet, sticky, and sugary foods
  • Be sure to consume sufficient calcium and vitamin D

Fruits and vegetables provide important vitamins and other nutrients that help your immune system to work at its most efficient. Sweet, sticky, and sugary foods are major culprits in tooth decay. Calcium and vitamin D help maintain the strength of your teeth as well as the bones that support them.

Diet During Tooth Growth and Development

An adequate diet is particularly important during pregnancy and for babies and small children, as teeth are developing and growing during these times. Sufficient calcium, phosphorous, vitamin D and other nutrients ensure healthy development of both baby teeth and secondary teeth. Your dentist or your doctor can help you determine the best diet for yourself or your child during these important times.

It is also important to encourage a healthy diet for your children by encouraging healthy snacks and discouraging sugary treats that promote decay. Children who are taught from an early age to eat healthy foods are more likely to continue these habits as they grow older. Be sure to call 303.832.7789 to ask our dentist about the type of diet that will help you and your family maintain the best possible oral health.

Dental veneers: A versatile cosmetic treatment option

Dental veneers offer a cosmetic dental procedure that can resolve a multitude of problems. Veneers in Littleton CO can offer the solution to chipped teeth, stained teeth, crooked teeth or worn tooth enamel.

A dental veneer is comprised of a shell or layer of tooth colored porcelain or composite material that is placed on the front surface of a tooth or teeth for improvement.  Placing veneers on your existing teeth can create a bright, white smile with perfectly aligned teeth created by your cosmetic dentist.

can be placed on one or many teeth, and are suitable for healthy individuals who do not suffer from gum disease.  If your teeth are discolored from diet, medications, or age, veneers can offer an appropriate solution; if your teeth are uneven from grinding or general wear and tear, veneers may be your answer; broken, cracked or chipped teeth covered by veneers can look so natural, it will be difficult to tell your natural teeth from the ones enhanced with veneers.

The durability of your dental veneers can protect the surface of damaged teeth, perhaps eliminating the need for more extensive treatment.

Another benefit to veneers is they require little to no removal of tooth structure as compared to other dental procedures.  And since removing any of your natural tooth structure is permanent, dental veneers can offer a more minimally invasive solution for your brighter smile.

Veneers may improve many dental conditions, but your cosmetic dentist may make recommendations to enhance the finished product.  Since dental veneers are not affected by any whitening agent, your dentist may suggest you whiten your teeth before receiving your veneers, so you will have more exacting color for untouched teeth to give you the brightest smile possible.  Or if you have severely crooked teeth or alignment issues are a concern, your cosmetic dentist may suggest some type of orthodontic treatment prior to completing your makeover with veneer restorations.

Drs. Jeffrey & Ronald the doctor are able to provide you with a customized smile by perfecting the shape and shade of your veneers so they will be a perfect match to your natural, untreated teeth making dental veneers one of the most versatile cosmetic procedures available today.

Dental implants: Will I need a sinus lift?

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dental implants BurnabyA sinus lift is a common procedure for patients who require dental implants to replace the upper molars. Due to the anatomy of the human skull, the sinus cavities are typically located just above the roots of the permanent upper molars. Because the sinus is an opening, or void, in the bone they do not present an ideal environment for placing a dental implant. Prior to beginning the procedure for dental implants in Burnaby, it is critical to identify and address this common anatomic landmark.

When an upper molar tooth is missing, and an implant is to be placed, your implant dentist must first determine if you are eligible for a successful dental implant. Through the use of 2D technology (xrays) or 3D technology (CT Scan) your dentist can visualize the amount of bone available in the selected area. If the sinus appears to be located too closely to the proposed implant, your dentist will recommend a sinus lift.

In preparation for dental implants, the floor or bottom of the sinus is lifted to allow room for the placement of additional bone. In a surgical procedure, your implant dentist can access the floor of the sinus at the site of the proposed implant and gently reposition it slightly higher into the jaw bone. The area where the floor of the sinus was initially located is replaced with bone (either synthetic or cadaver) and allowed to heal.

A fundamental component of the dental implant process is the availability of dense, healthy bone. For patients who are lacking sufficient bone near the upper molars, the sinus lift can greatly increase the success rate of the dental implant.

It is impossible to accurately determine if a sinus lift will be necessary for your dental implant procedure without a comprehensive evaluation. The chances of the sinus lift are more likely if you have naturally large sinuses, a history of periodontal disease or bone loss, or bone loss as a result of missing teeth. To find out if a sinus lift is necessary for your dental implants, contact the office of Dr. Bernard Jin to schedule your consultation today.

Should I Use a Mouthwash?

dental DenverWhile mouthwash is not a required element of everyday oral care, it can offer some advantages. Depending upon the type of mouthwash, it can help reduce the likelihood of decay, reduce bad breath, or add fluoride to help your teeth stay stronger. For answers to your questions about mouthwash, please contact our dental office in Denver.

Types of Mouthwash

There are various types of mouthwash, each offering different advantages. These include:

Antiseptic mouthwashes. These mouthwashes kill bacteria that can cause bad breath or promote tooth decay.

Fluoride mouthwashes. These mouthwashes provide additional fluoride to increase the strength of your teeth, and are particularly good for those who develop cavities at a higher rate. It is important not to dilute fluoride mouthwashes in order to receive the most benefit.

Prescription mouthwashes. These mouthwashes are prescribed by your dentist. In some cases such as after dental or periodontal surgery, you may be unable to brush your teeth for a period of time due to discomfort. To help keep your teeth clean during this time, your dentist might prescribe a special mouthwash.

Deciding Whether to Use a Mouthwash

The decision to use a mouthwash should be based on whether the mouthwash will provide a benefit. If you are suffering from bad breath, a mouthwash can help reduce the symptoms. If you find that you develop cavities in spite of diligent oral care, ask your dentist about using a fluoride toothpaste. Any concerns about halitosis should be discussed with your dentist, who will be able to recommend the best type of treatment, which may include regular use of a mouthwash. He can also alert you to any issues that might be involved in your using a mouthwash.

Of course, if your dentist prescribes a mouthwash, be sure to use it regularly and according to your dentist’s instructions. For over-the-counter mouthwashes, if you find that you are happy with the results, using a mouthwash can be a good addition to your everyday oral care.

Preventive dentistry: Common questions and answers

When you were growing up, adults always admonished you to brush your teeth after every meal.  Today we know there are so many more things involved in maintaining good dental health.

  • How often should I see my dentist? At least twice per year you should visit your dentist for a professional dental cleaning and exam.  If you are susceptible to gum disease, your dentist might have you come more often or visit a specialist in periodontal disease.
  • What can be done in addition to brushing your teeth? Your Littleton dentist stresses that in addition to brushing at least twice per day, flossing is equally as beneficial and should be given just as much importance when completing your daily oral regimen.
  • What type of brush should I use? Using a firm brush or brushing incorrectly can do damage over time to gum tissue and tooth enamel.  That is why your dentist will likely recommend using a soft or medium bristle brush, brushing your teeth using gentle circular strokes, and using a non-abrasive toothpaste.
  • What about using a fluoride rinse? There are many considerations when addressing using a fluoride rinse.  Your dentist can discuss issues such as receiving fluoride treatments directly from your dental provider, using a fluoride rinse, or how much fluoridation might be in your drinking water.  Too much fluoride in children under the age of seven can result in a condition known as fluorosis, which can discolor your teeth’s enamel, so this is a very important topic to discuss with your dentist.
  • Can what I eat or drink affect my dental health? Absolutely … sugary and carbonated drinks in excess can contribute to tooth decay.  And it is a proven fact that good dental health can contribute to your overall well-being.  A well balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables will help maintain good health.
  • Does smoking affect my dental health? Yes.  Smoking or chewing tobacco products can lead to significant dental problems.  There are many products to help you quit smoking, and your dentist can provide information on the many options available.

Your has many tools to help diagnose current and potential problems.  Take advantage of his knowledge and expertise, follow the advice given, and enjoy many years of good oral health.