In some ways, all dentistry is a form of cosmetic dentistry.
Preventive care is intended to keep your teeth free from cavities and to keep your teeth in your mouth. Restorative dentistry often restores the function of your teeth and the appearance of your smile at the same time.
Yet, one of the most common requests by patients is for whiter teeth.
As the old saying goes, there is more than one way to skin a cat. Likewise, there is more than one way to whiten your teeth at Bayou Dental Group.
We offer professional teeth whitening and veneers at our dentist office in Monroe, LA. We’ll explain how each procedure can give you a lifetime of brighter and healthier-looking smiles.
Why White Teeth Are Important
People care about their appearance, and our teeth are one of the things that we have with us at all time.
You may wear different jewelry or makeup. If you wear glasses, you may have more than one pair. You may even try different hair styles and coloring your hair. So, why wouldn’t you want your teeth to look their best, too?
In a recent survey, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry found that 99.7 percent of adults consider a smile to be a social asset. When people were asked what they most wanted to improve about their own teeth, the most popular answer was whiter teeth.
Why are white teeth so important in our society?
First, white teeth look healthier, and this can make you appear more attractive to a potential dating partner.
Second, people with whiter teeth look younger. This may not seem as obvious at first. As we get older, we consume more food and drinks. Natural wear and tear will change the appearance of our teeth.
You wouldn’t expect the paint in your living to look the same in 20 years as it does today. Something similar could be said about your teeth. When you put new pain in your living or whiten your smile, they make your room look fresher and your smile more youthful.
How You Can Whiten Your Smile
If you have any doubt about whether white teeth are important to people, just walk down the toothpaste aisle.
How many different products claim that they will help whiten your smile? Dozens? Hundreds? (It probably depends on the size of the store.)
If whitening our teeth were that easy, then we may not need to offer professional teeth whitening or veneers for our patients, but we do. You may be wondering which of these options might be best for you.
Why You Should Try Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening, or teeth bleaching, is intended to remove stains that have built up on your teeth.
This will happen naturally no matter what you eat. As you get older, your teeth become more yellow with daily use.
However, some things like coffee, soft drinks, sports drinks, tea, and wine can speed up the staining process. Smoking and other tobacco products are another cause of many stained teeth.
At Bayou Dental Group, we offer Zoom! whitening for our patients. If you look closely, you will see that professional and commercial whitening products use active ingredients. The difference is that professional products use a higher concentration of those ingredients. This makes professional whitening more effective and faster acting than anything you can buy at the grocery store.
We offer in-office whitening for the fastest possible results. We also offer take-home products for patients who prefer to do their whitening on their own schedule. This also can be a good way to touch up your smile after an in-office treatment.
Why You Should Try Veneers
Unfortunately, professional teeth whitening does not work on every discoloration problem. Teeth whitening works great on stains, but what if your teeth are yellow for a different reason? For example, what if you have worn-down enamel or your teeth changed color as a side effect of some medication?
In those cases, you may prefer our porcelain or zirconia veneers. Veneers change the appearance of your teeth similar to how siding can change the appearance of your house.
Veneers are a shell that we place on your teeth. This changes how your teeth look to the outside world.
Veneers can make you teeth look whiter, and they can make your teeth look straighter and evenly spaced at the same time. In other words, if you have yellow teeth and other problems (like a crooked smile or gaps in your teeth), then veneers can correct both of those issues in one fell swoop.
Getting veneers usually require a couple visit to our office. During the first visit, we will reshape your teeth (to make room for your veneers) and make impressions so your veneers will be custom-fitted for your teeth.
When the lab finishes your veneers (which can take a week or two), you will return so we can bond the veneers to your teeth.
Teeth Transformations
If you have noticed that your smile has lost some if it’s luster, then help us give you a smile that shines once again. Patients near and far have come to our dentist office in Monroe, LA to improve their teeth with whitening and veneers.
If you are ready to transform you smile, fill out our online form or call us at 318-323-9303. See for yourself why the staff at Bayou Dental Group likes to say that “A lifetime of smiles begins here.”