Cosmetic Dentistry Not Just for Women

Many desktop publishing packages and web page editors now use Lorem Ipsum as their default model text, and a search for ‘lorem ipsum’ will uncover many web sites still in their infancy. Various versions have evolved over the years, sometimes by accident, sometimes on purpose (injected humour and the like).Often, advertising for dentistry focuses on women. Photos in magazines and on Web sites show attractive females with gorgeous smiles. Although these campaigns often target women, men can benefit from dentistry too.

Professionally and personally, men have just as many reasons as women do to look their best. Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you. Having a vibrant, white smile can create a perception of self-assurance, intelligence, and warmth. Men who have cosmetic dental enhancements can enjoy the benefits of looking younger and feeling more confident.

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Dos and Don’ts of Teeth Whitening

Age, certain foods and beverages, medications, and lifestyle choices can dull your brilliant smile. With teeth whitening, you can remove stains and brighten your teeth. Drugstores carry over-the-counter products like whitening strips, bleaching kits, and special toothpastes. Your dentist may also offer other options, including chairside whitening and take-home trays.

These Dos and Don’ts will maximize your smile’s beauty and minimize any issues:

Do follow directions
Use the products as instructed and don’t overdo it with the whitening agents or you may cause gum irritation and teeth sensitivity.

Do adopt a healthy lifestyle
Smoking and tobacco use can create new stains and negate the impact of teeth whitening. If you can’t quit, try to cut down on your usage.

Do practice good hygiene
Brushing and flossing as recommended will remove plaque and food from your teeth, improving the look of your smile.

Do watch what you eat
Dark foods and beverages like cola, red wine, blueberries, and blackberries can discolor your smile, so limit your consumption. When you do partake of these items, rinse your mouth with water right away.

Do consult with your dentist
Ask for recommendations about the best options for your specific situation.

Don’t allow kids to whiten
Children under 16 should not be permitted to try whitening products.

Don’t go crazy
You shouldn’t make your smile brighter than the whites of your eyes because it looks unnatural.

Don’t forget to touch up your smile
For lasting radiance, you will probably need to whiten at home every six to nine months.

Dr. Yolanda Cruz dentistry – Teeth Whitening – Toronto Canada Dentist

Natural Ways to Care for Teeth

From the time they are young, people are taught about the importance of brushing and flossing teeth. These habits, as well as regular dental checkups, form the cornerstones of optimal dental health. To augment your current routine, consider these natural steps to promoting a vibrant, health smile.

Try Tea
Drinking black or even green tea may reduce the formation of plaque, which leads to tooth decay and contributes to gum disease. One ingredient in black tea, tannin, has been shown to fight the bacteria that cause cavities.

Chew on This
When you chew sugarless gum for 20 minutes after meals, saliva production increases, neutralizing the acids in your mouth.

C it This Way
Taking 1,000 mg of vitamin C each day helps eliminate the bacteria that cause gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease.

Water, Water Everywhere
The health benefits of drinking water are well known. Not only will water rinse food debris from your teeth, but it also helps generate saliva, which keeps bacteria and acids in your mouth from damaging your teeth.

Crunch n Munch
Snacking on crunchy foods like carrots, celery, and apples helps remove plaque from teeth and stimulate the gums.

Cheese, Please
Eating mozzarella, Cheddar, Swiss and American cheese, especially at the end of a meal, can protect against cavity development.

The Great White Way
Once a week, create a paste of baking soda and water to remove surface stains and brighten your smile.

We care about your smile at Dr. Yolanda Cruz dentistry – Toronto Canada Dentist

CEREC Produces Restorations in One Visit

If your tooth experiences severe trauma or deep decay, you may need more than a regular filling. Inlays, onlays, and crowns can stabilize a damaged tooth and restore its integrity. Typically, it takes two appointments to receive your custom restoration. Thanks to CEREC technology, patients can have their inlays, onlays, and crowns created and place in one appointment.

What is CEREC?
A type of CAD/CAM machine that mills restorations from ceramic materials, CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. This system uses 3-D imaging to generate an image of the damaged tooth and produce a design for the restoration. Your dentist will input specific details and then program the unit to mill your new inlay, onlay, or crown.

How long does it take for the CEREC restoration?
The actual length of time for your appointment depends on the number of restorations you need, but the average is about 1.5 hours.

Will my CEREC restorations look good?
By choosing an experienced, talented dentist, you can ensure that your CEREC inlay, onlay, or crown is a high-quality, attractive restoration.

Why should I consider CEREC?
The biggest advantage to the CEREC restorations is that you can save the extra time and additional costs associated with traditional dental repairs. With CEREC, you won’t need a second appointment, and the laboratory charges are usually decreased because the restoration is created in your dentist’s office, not in an outside facility.

Dr. Yolanda Cruz dentistry – CEREC– Toronto Canada Dentist

Relieving the Pain of TMJ

Many people suffer from TMJ disorder, and don’t realize that there is treatment available. Often, identified by a variety of unpleasant symptoms such as headaches, neck pain, clicking or popping in the jaw, and ringing in your ears, TMJ can make your life difficult. With treatment for this condition, you can enjoy a comfortable, healthy smile.

What is TMJ?
The temporomandibular joints, or TMJ, are the small, triangular joints that control the opening and closing of your jaw. Stress, fatigue, or injury can disrupt the delicate balance of these joints, causing misalignment. If your jaw joints don’t work properly, the associated muscles and nerves become strained, creating pain and irritation.

Treating TMJ
To determine the cause of your discomfort, the dentist or orthodontist will perform a complete assessment of your whole mouth to decide the best treatment. Non-surgical TMJ therapy could include lifestyle modifications to reduce stress, exercises to strengthen affected muscles, and an oral appliance to prevent clenching and grinding. Restoring balance will ease your pain and enhance your quality of life.

You can also remember these tips:

Practice Relaxing
Many people grind their teeth when they are stressed. Making a conscious choice to relax your jaw will help prevent soreness and tooth damage.

Go Easy
If you are experiencing TMJ symptoms, choose soft foods. Avoid crunchy, hard choices and don’t chew gum.

Hot and Cold
For the maximum benefit, alternate hot and cold packs about every 15 minutes.

Watch Your Yawns
Big, deep yawns can aggravate TMJ symptoms, so support your chin with your fist to keep your jaw from straining.

Dr. Yolanda Cruz dentistry – TMJ Treatment– Toronto Canada Dentist