Southlake Family Dentistry Blog

How to Maintain Your Teeth Whitening Treatment

October 19, 2020

Filed under: Blog — Tags: , , , — southlakedental @ 1:46 pm

Teeth whitening is one of the most requested cosmetic procedures. At Southlake Family Dentistry, we offer a few different options for whitening your teeth. We also like to inform our patients on how to keep a healthy/bright smile after treatment. Maintaining your whitening treatment and adequately caring for your teeth can be just as crucial as the whitening treatment itself.

Did you know changing a few daily habits can help your whitening treatment last longer? Here are a few techniques we recommend to maintain your bright smile. 

Stay Away from Bright or Dark Colored Food and Drinks

While this is a general rule in cosmetic dentistry for avoiding stained teeth, it is even more important to follow after your in-office whitening treatment. Foods such as soy sauce, pasta sauce, balsamic vinegar, and some fruits can stain your teeth and reverse the whitening treatment effects. We also recommend avoiding certain liquids such as coffee, red wine, dark sodas, and black tea for long-lasting whitening results. 

Use a White or Colorless Toothpaste 

Did you know many toothpaste and mouthwash brands on the market contain dyes that can stain your teeth? If you’re considering a whitening treatment we recommend switching from colored mouthwash and toothpaste to white or clear. Additionally, choosing brands that contain a whitening agent can help you maintain a bright smile. 

Daily Oral Hygiene 

If you don’t already have a solid oral hygiene routine, now is the time to adopt one. This routine should include brushing, flossing, and using a colorless mouth rinse twice daily. While this routine is great for your oral health in general, it will help maintain your whitening treatment. At Southlake Family Dentistry we want your teeth to look healthy and be healthy. Maintaining good oral hygiene will help your teeth remain strong and bright. 

Set Up Your Next Treatment 

To achieve the best results from your whitening treatment we recommend that you continue treatment about every six months. Every patient’s needs are different and depending on your oral hygiene habits you may require more or less frequent whitening treatments to achieve your desired look. 

At Southlake Family Dentistry, we want you to feel confident in your smile. If you have noticed discoloration in your teeth and desire a whiter and brighter smile, contact our office to discuss your treatment options. 

4 Cosmetic Dental Procedures to Give You a Straighter or Whiter Smile

September 15, 2020

Filed under: Blog,General — Tags: , , , , — southlakedental @ 1:34 pm

 At our dental office, not only do we care about your overall oral health, but we also care how you feel about your teeth cosmetically. With the holiday season quickly approaching, many individuals consider options to whiten and/or straighten their smile before gatherings and family photos. If you’re interested in enhancing your smile, various dental procedures allow you to safely and effectively achieve the smile you’ve been dreaming of. Here are a few options that we offer at our office: 

1. Whitening – Teeth whitening is one of the most commonly requested dental procedures. Did you know you can safely whiten your teeth at home using custom trays made at our office? In most cases, a visit for whitening tray impressions takes less than 30 minutes. Your custom trays will be made in our onsite dental lab and are available for you to pick up by the following business day. 

Our dentists recommend ways to prevent teeth staining and discoloration, but daily habits such as drinking coffee and tea and the use of tobacco products can contribute to unwanted staining. While some toothpaste, mouthwash, and drugstore products can whiten teeth, the best results come from your dentist. Along with your custom whitening trays, you’ll receive a whitening gel that you place in the trays and wear on your teeth daily for a short period of time to gradually whiten your teeth. 

If you’re interested in a quick whitening tray option, we also carry Opalescence teeth whitening trays at our office. These one-size-fits-all whitening trays are “grab and go” so you can pick one up at your next appointment. 

 Whitening trays have proven to be an effective way to whiten and brighten your smile. Our patients are extremely pleased with the results. Give us a call if you’d like more information or if you’d like to schedule an appointment.

2. Bonding – If you’re interested in restoring a cracked, chipped or discolored tooth, a cosmetic procedure such as tooth bonding can give you the results you want. Bonding is a method that corrects the shape or the shade of your teeth. It can also close small spaces, black triangles in between teeth or increase the size of a tooth to achieve a more symmetrical smile. 

The procedure can often be done without anesthetic and completed in one visit. Our dentists simply apply a tooth-colored composite resin to one or more of your teeth to repair damage. This whitening method is seen as a cost effective solution as it’s less expensive than other cosmetic dental procedures such as crowns and veneers. The best part: the results are instant! 

Bonding is especially great for fixing any imperfections in your teeth and restoring confidence in your smile. 

3. Veneers – Out of all the cosmetic teeth solutions, dental veneers achieve the most aesthetic results. Veneers are a thin porcelain covering that’s placed over your teeth. Many patients choose to have veneers placed on one or more teeth to achieve their desired smiles.  

You can pick out the shade of the synthetic teeth covering, creating a white and bright smile. We can change the shape, length, or size of your teeth using veneers. Veneers are applied to the part of the teeth that shows when talking or smiling. That means we remove less tooth material, and the procedure is generally less uncomfortable than crowns. 

If you choose to have a veneer placed on a single tooth, the shape of the veneer can be specifically made to fit that one tooth and create a natural look that blends in with surrounding teeth. Veneer placement is generally painless but requires two or more visits. Veneers do not stain and years after they still maintain the same shade and esthetics.  

4. Invisalign – Clear aligners are the most popular way to correct a smile these days — especially adults who do not want a “metal mouth.” 

Many people who formerly wore braces choose Invisalign orthodontic treatment as the discrete solution to correct any relapses. Invisalign treatment is the process of wearing a series of clear, removable aligners/clear trays that gradually straighten your teeth. There are no brackets and wires, and none of the restrictions that come with metal braces.

Even if your teeth are slightly misaligned, it can affect your overall oral health. Crooked teeth are harder to keep clean, which puts you at risk of decay and periodontal disease, and can cause jaw pain. Depending on the complexity of your case, you could complete your treatment in as few as six months. 

Most patients will start seeing results in a matter of weeks. Our doctors will ensure your aligners fit well, answer your questions, and let you know what to expect.

If you have questions about any of these ways to get a straighter or whiter smile, give us a call today.

What Can You Do if You Don’t Have Dental Insurance?

July 28, 2020

Filed under: Blog,Insurance and Financial Information — southlakedental @ 6:23 pm

Dental insurance is a benefit provided by some employers, but not all. Even when dental insurance is offered, people choose not to partake in the company plan. 

According to the National Association of Dental Plans, two-thirds or 164.2 million Americans have private dental coverage. Most of those are through employer benefits or programs such as AARP. But that leaves two-thirds of people without dental benefits. And here in the southeast, dental coverage is lower than the national average. 

We know that needing dental care without having dental insurance can be scary. People without dental insurance are often likely to skip routine cleanings due to the cost — but that leads to more expensive procedures later. 

You might be nervous about finding a Fort Mill dentist office that accepts patients without insurance, but Southlake Family Dentistry is here to help! You don’t have to be covered by dental insurance to be a patient here at Southlake. We have several financing options, so let’s go over them.

CareCredit

One way to cover dental work costs without having dental insurance is to use CareCredit, a service we are pleased to accept. CareCredit is a credit card that offers individual financing options and helps you pay off dental services over time, usually interest-free for a period of time. This is a wonderful option if you need expensive dental work but don’t have dental insurance. Read more about CareCredit here and decide if it would be the right choice for you. 

Prosper Healthcare Lending

Prosper is the premier financing company in the healthcare industry. We recommend this route if you would like to take out a loan to pay for multiple dental projects. Prosper Healthcare Lending offers benefits such as longer terms for lower monthly payments, no collateral required, having a fast and easy loan inquiry process, and much more! Many of our patients have been pleased with their service. Read more about Prosper Healthcare Lending. 

Cash, Check, or Credit Card 

Finally, you can pay for dental work on your own. In this situation, you will be paying the full price of services by check, credit card, or cash and won’t be using an insurance co-pay. This option works well for regular cleanings and smaller dental procedures. We are happy to inform you in advance about costs so you can plan accordingly. Call our office today to discuss out-of-pocket pricing for our Fort Mill dental services. 

Now that we have broken down the available options for financing dental work without insurance, we hope you feel more informed and less overwhelmed. Sure, having dental insurance is helpful, but don’t think you can’t be a part of the Southlake Family without it. If you have questions about the payment options, please call us today. 

Which Teeth Whitening Option Will Work for Me?

July 22, 2020

Filed under: Blog,General — Tags: , , , , — southlakedental @ 4:31 pm

Teeth whitening is a popular dental procedure here in Fort Mill and beyond. Most people want their teeth to appear white and bright. Studies show that people feel more confident when they have white teeth. You may feel compelled to whiten your teeth for professional interactions. 

Even with perfect at-home brushing and flossing, your teeth can become yellowish or stained due to medications, age, food and drink, and tobacco use. No matter the cause, there is a solution for whiter teeth. However, there are so many options both over-the-counter and through your dentist. How do you know which ones actually work? 

Don’t get stuck with teeth whitening gimmicks. There are tons of teeth whitening options, and here is what to know about them: 

Whitening Strips

Whitening strips are easy to find over-the-counter at drug and retail stores, and they are relatively cheap. The strips are also reasonably easy to use. The strips come in sections for your top and bottom teeth, and you place and adapt them on. After waiting for the directed amount of time, you can take them off and rinse your mouth. When used over time, at-home whitening strips will make your teeth somewhat whiter. However, the results take time, and you’ll only get a few shades of whitening. Many people also struggle with the strips because the gel doesn’t taste good and can cause teeth or gum sensitivity. Also, user error prevents from achieving desirable results. Sitting there with strips on may feel uncomfortable. 

Keep in mind, tooth whitening products sold at stores do not require approval from the Food and Drug Administration because they are considered cosmetic. Only one type of whitening strip has a seal of approval from the American Dental Association. 

Please note that most whitening products are not suitable for children. Check with your child’s dentist before applying whitening products. 

Whitening Toothpaste or Mouthwash

Another low-cost method to whiten your smile is toothpaste or mouthwash that contain whitening agents. Again, these are an easy choice for many because they are easy to find and don’t cost much more than regular toothpaste or mouthwash. 

The great thing about whitening toothpaste and mouthwash is that each can be used in combination with other whitening treatments. This is an easy and affordable way to help achieve white teeth, but unfortunately, it doesn’t always work alone. To obtain the whitest teeth possible, you will need to add another whitening method to your regime. These methods will also only get you a few shades brighter. However, this is a wonderful place to start if you are on a budget and can wait for gradual results.  

Teeth Whitening Trays and Gels 

Whitening trays and gels are a great way to whiten your teeth while at home. To use, fill the trays with the provided bleaching product and wear them for either a few hours or overnight, then brush the product away. Many Fort Mill dentists, including Southlake Family Dentistry, offer these trays. Please make an appointment to come to the office to custom fit your trays for the maximum comfort possible. We can then select the right level of bleaching for your teeth and goals. These take-home whitening kits cost a little more than over-the-counter strips but are convenient and cheaper than in-office bleaching. The results are more dramatic and take less time to achieve.  Also, these trays can be used for future touch-ups as needed.

In-Office Bleaching 

Visiting the office for a bleaching treatment is the quickest and most effective way to achieve those pearly whites. During your visit, we can apply a whitening solution directly to your teeth. Your treatment will last 60 to 90 minutes. You can then go about your day, but you should avoid coffee, tomato sauce, yellow mustard, and red wine. This treatment is preferred by many because of its immediate results and effectiveness. However, in-office bleaching is the most expensive of all these methods, so contact us today to discuss pricing and payment options.  

Now that you know all of the teeth whitening options we recommend, it should be much easier to choose which one will be best for you and your teeth. If you are interested in teeth whitening trays and gels or in-office bleaching, please contact us to set up an office visit. We can’t wait to see you and your bright smile! 

DIY Tooth Whitening: Does It Work?

February 18, 2020

Filed under: Blog — southlakedental @ 5:00 pm

Everybody wants a brighter smile, but there are a number of things that stain or dull your teeth, including coffee, red wine, smoking, and certain medications. Because these changes to the color of teeth are common, it sometimes seems like everyone has a DIY tooth whitening suggestion. But do any of them really work? Take a look at what you need to know about some commonly-touted home remedies for whiter teeth.

Oil Pulling

Oil pulling is the practice of swishing oil around in the mouth for anywhere from 10-30 minutes. The practice comes from the Ayurvedic belief that oil is nourishing for all parts of the body. This is an ancient belief, but proponents of natural health remedies have contributed to a new wave of interest in the practice. But can it whiten teeth?

Like many DIY remedies, oil pulling has not been the subject of many research studies, so it’s difficult to say exactly what it can or can’t do. But it’s unlikely that oil pulling can have any effect on tooth whiteness. Swishing oil around in the mouth for an extended time period may be able to help with plaque removal, but there’s no reason to believe it can affect stains.

Activated Charcoal

Another DIY tooth whitening recommendation involves brushing teeth with activated charcoal powder. In fact, toothpastes made with activated charcoal are starting to become more popular. Activated charcoal does have many beneficial uses – doctors use it to treat poisonings and overdoses, and it is also used in air filters to remove impurities from the air.

Advocates of brushing with activated charcoal claim that the substance can remove impurities that stain the teeth. Whether or not that’s true is unclear. However, experts warn that brushing with an abrasive material like charcoal could weaken enamel and damage gum tissue.

If you want whiter teeth, your best bet is to consult your dentist. Your dentist will be able to recommend a whitening treatment that meets your needs and is both safe and effective.

DIY Tooth Whitening: Does It Work?

August 3, 2018

Filed under: Blog,Dental Health — Tags: , — southlakedental @ 5:38 pm

Everybody wants a brighter smile, but there are a number of things that stain or dull your teeth, including coffee, red wine, smoking, and certain medications. Because these changes to the color of teeth are common, it sometimes seems like everyone has a DIY tooth whitening suggestion. But do any of them really work? Take a look at what you need to know about some commonly-touted home remedies for whiter teeth.

Oil Pulling

Oil pulling is the practice of swishing oil around in the mouth for anywhere from 10-30 minutes. The practice comes from the Ayurvedic belief that oil is nourishing for all parts of the body. This is an ancient belief, but proponents of natural health remedies have contributed to a new wave of interest in the practice. But can it whiten teeth?

Like many DIY remedies, oil pulling has not been the subject of many research studies, so it’s difficult to say exactly what it can or can’t do. But it’s unlikely that oil pulling can have any effect on tooth whiteness. Swishing oil around in the mouth for an extended time period may be able to help with plaque removal, but there’s no reason to believe it can affect stains.

Activated Charcoal

Another DIY tooth whitening recommendation involves brushing teeth with activated charcoal powder. In fact, toothpastes made with activated charcoal are starting to become more popular. Activated charcoal does have many beneficial uses – doctors use it to treat poisonings and overdoses, and it is also used in air filters to remove impurities from the air.

Advocates of brushing with activated charcoal claim that the substance can remove impurities that stain the teeth. Whether or not that’s true is unclear. However, experts warn that brushing with an abrasive material like charcoal could weaken enamel and damage gum tissue.

If you want whiter teeth, your best bet is to consult your dentist. Your dentist will be able to recommend a whitening treatment that meets your needs and is both safe and effective.

Are Your Gummy Vitamins Causing Cavities?

July 15, 2018

Filed under: Blog,Children's Dental Health,Dental Health — Tags: , — southlakedental @ 2:05 pm

Swallowing vitamins can feel like a chore, and some children and adults have difficulty swallowing pills, especially large ones. Gummy vitamins seem like a fun and tasty way to ensure that you get the nutrients or supplements that you need. While they may have started out as a way to make vitamins more appealing to children, plenty of adults now use them as well. But are they hurting your teeth?

High Sugar Content

If you’ve ever accidentally bitten down on a vitamin that was meant to be swallowed whole, you probably remember the taste. Vitamins may be good for you, but they tend to have a bitter and unpleasant taste. So why do gummy vitamins taste like candy or fruit snacks? The answer is simple: lots and lots of sugar.

Bacteria that naturally occur in your mouth consume the sugars that are left behind on your teeth and convert it into acid. That acid is what wears away your tooth enamel and causes cavities.

Citric Acid

Of course, you could always opt for sugar-free gummy vitamins. These contain artificial sweeteners that may not be as likely to harm your teeth. But another component of gummy vitamins is the citric acid used to give them their fruity flavors. Remember, acid is what really wears away your enamel.

A Sticky Situation

It’s easy to think that the effects of gummy vitamins on your teeth will be minimal. After all, you’re not chowing down on a whole bag of gummy bears – you’re probably only taking one or a few vitamins at a time.

The problem is that the sticky consistency of the gummies can leave residue on your teeth that lasts for hours. Sugars left on your teeth from less clingy substances can more easily be washed away by your saliva if you can’t brush right away, but the sugar and acid from gummy candy or vitamins tend to hang around.

Your best bet is to opt for non-chewable vitamins, although if you have difficulty swallowing, liquid vitamins or the powdery type of chewable vitamins leave residue that is easier to clean off your teeth. If gummy vitamins are the only tolerable option for you, make sure to take them at a time and place when you can brush your teeth afterward.

Dental Credit Cards and Loans

July 1, 2018

Filed under: Blog,Insurance and Financial Information — Tags: , , , — southlakedental @ 4:18 pm

One fact about dental care is that it can be expensive. While dental offices try to keep procedures as affordable as possible, the materials used are pricey and there is a lot of additional overhead in a dental office. Many people have dental insurance, but if you need a lot of work done in one calendar year, it might not stretch as far as you’d like it to. What is the answer? If you don’t have the cash available to spend on your treatment, an increasingly popular option to consider is specialized financing in the form of dental credit cards and loans.

At Southlake Dentistry, we offer a variety of options so you can get your dental work done without having to worry about dipping into your savings or not being able to pay the electric bill.

Two popular dental credit cards are CareCredit and Citi Health. These two companies can also be used for other types of financing, such as eye care and, in the case of CareCredit, veterinary care. There are sometimes special incentives, such as 6 months interest-free. To make it even simpler, you can apply for these right in our office and get an answer immediately. Be sure to get all of the terms so you understand the interest rates, annual fees, and other specifics of the agreement.

We also work with Prosper Healthcare Lending, which is a different type of financing company. With Prosper Healthcare, you will also get an immediate response and you can spread out your payments over a longer period of time. This can be very helpful if you have a lot of work to be done.

It is our goal that every patient can get the dental treatment he or she needs for good health. If you are not sure how you will pay for your dental care, don’t hesitate to ask about these payment options. Many patients are in your situation and we can help you by letting you know about the different programs available. Give us a call to schedule your appointment today!

Special Dental Concerns for Millennials

June 15, 2018

Filed under: Blog — Tags: , , , — southlakedental @ 6:36 pm

You might be surprised to learn that the generation known as the Millennials tends to have poor oral health. Why? There are several reasons: Their busy lifestyles don’t accommodate dental appointments. They have the advantage of good health overall, so they don’t have any pressing needs when it comes to their oral health. And, possibly one of the most important, the types of jobs many Millennials have don’t offer dental benefits. If you are a Millennial, check out this guide to keeping your smile healthy.

Reduce Your Stress Levels

It’s easier said than done, but if you have a lot of stress in your life, as many Millennials do, it makes sense to take steps to reduce it. Stress can cause teeth-grinding, which can lead to enamel erosion, TMJ problems, headaches, cracked fillings, broken teeth, and even loose teeth. If you grind your teeth, you might experience mouth, jaw, and head pain, particularly in the mornings, along with molar sensitivity when you eat. A nightguard can help stave off symptoms while you get your stress under control.

Observe Excellent Oral Hygiene

You might operate under the theory of, “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it,” but this is a mistake when you’re dealing with your teeth. Things can go from perfectly fine to quite painful (and expensive) in a relatively short period of time. Don’t ignore your oral health: brush twice daily and floss before bed. Also, make an appointment with your dental hygienist if it’s been longer than 6 months since your last visit. Finally, if you notice anything amiss (loose tooth, bleeding gums, uneven filling, mild pain, etc.), make an appointment to be seen by your dentist.

Spruce Up Your Smile

If you hesitate to flash everyone a toothy grin because you aren’t quite happy with how your smile looks, take action now to improve your appearance and boost your self-esteem. Ask your dentist whether teeth whitening, dental veneers, or braces might be worth considering. Invest in your smile and then make sure you do your best to help it last a life time with good oral hygiene and regular dental visits!

The Best (and Worst) Fruits for Good Dental Health

June 1, 2018

Filed under: Blog,Dental Health,General — Tags: , , — southlakedental @ 12:12 am

Fruit: It’s healthy, and that means it’s good for your teeth, right? While this is true in most cases, there are a few exceptions. Since summer is a great time to enjoy a variety of fruit, read on for some information about choosing the best (and worst) fruits when it comes to your dental health.

Apples

You’ve heard the adage, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” and you might not realize that enjoying these crunchy fruits can also keep the dentist away (not that you’d want to, of course!). The act of chewing apples creates friction around the teeth and gums that physically scrubs plaque and food debris off of these surfaces. If you can’t brush your teeth after lunch, crunching on a few slices of a crisp apple can help stave off the bacteria that causes cavities. Naturally, you will want to brush when you are able to.

Strawberries

High in vitamin C, strawberries are little powerhouses in the vitamin and health department. They also contain a bit of acid which can neutralize the bacteria hanging out in your mouth. In addition, they are similar to apples in that they create a scrubbing action as you chew them. Strawberries can be eaten whole or sliced up in a fruit salad. One caveat: If you have small pits in your teeth, the tiny seeds can get caught, so be sure to brush and floss well to remove them.

Raisins (and Other Dried Fruit)

Dried fruit is on the list of the worst fruits to eat for good dental health. Why? It’s sticky and contains concentrated sugars without any extra liquid to help wash it off of your teeth. Eating raisins, dried apricots, and dried dates can actually make your teeth less healthy! While it’s fine to eat these foods, it’s very important to brush well afterward to remove traces of the sweet snacks from your teeth so as not to attract the bacteria that causes dental cavities.

With summer right around the corner, fruit makes a great dessert and snack. You can also add it to any meal for a nutritional boost. Just be sure that you choose wisely when it comes to your dental health.

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