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Pick Your Poison: Cosmetic Dentistry Edition | Mooresville Dentist

We all want a winning smile, but today cosmetic dentistry has advanced to the point where we can completely overhaul our smile, sometimes in one visit. Nowadays cosmetic dentistry isn’t just for celebrities and the wealthy, there’s now a wide variety of options and price ranges that put a better smile within reach for many patients. But where do you start when it comes to designing your perfect smile? What you choose is on a case-by-case basis.

Traditional dentistry addresses the health of your teeth and gums, cosmetic dentistry focuses on the appearance of your teeth. From subtle changes to major overhauls with oral surgery, there are a variety of cosmetic dentistry procedures that can treat teeth that are discolored, misshapen, chipped or missing. Below are the most common cosmetic procedures:

Teeth whitening. This procedure brightens teeth that are discolored or stained. Teeth whitening, or bleaching, can be done in a dentist’s office or at home with a system dispensed by the dentist.

Bonding. This can improve the appearance of teeth that are chipped, broken, cracked, stained, or have spaces in between them, by bonding tooth-colored materials to the tooth surface.

Veneers. These are thin, custom-made porcelain shells that cover the front of the teeth to disguise discoloration or imperfections.

Tooth reshaping. This procedure changes the teeth to improve their appearance by modifying or removing enamel. Tooth reshaping (also known as dental contouring) is often combined with bonding.

Crown lengthening. This can fix a “gummy” smile or an uneven gum line by removing excess gum tissue to expose more of the tooth’s crown and give the appearance of longer teeth.

Smile makeovers. Typically, several cosmetic dentistry procedures are required to overhaul the look of a patient’s smile.

For more information about cosmetic dentistry, call Dr. Schneider in Mooresville, NC at 704-660-1802 or visit www.schneidersmiles.com.

Drs. Catherine and Kenneth Schneider proudly serve patients from Mooresville and all surrounding areas.

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Want White Teeth? Have a Snack! | Mooresville Dentist

There is nothing nicer than a clean, white smile. Not only does it lift our spirits, but it also gives off a welcoming impression to others. But not everyone has these pearly whites – they need help maintaining the bright hues of our smile looking its best. We brush, we floss, we visit the dentist for professional treatments, but did you know that you could eat your way to a whiter smile? It’s true. There are lots of ways you can keep your smile the brightest it can be in between dental visits. It’s time to turn our attention to Mother Nature. Not only are these foods delicious and nutritious, but they will be strengthening your teeth while keeping a healthy sheen:

Fruit. The crispiness of fruits like apples is helping to strengthen your gums. The juiciness of the apple produces saliva, which clears out bacteria. Another juicy treat that gives your teeth a good shine is the orange. Not only is the vitamin C good for you, citric acid also scours your teeth. Just be careful, any type of acidic foods will slowly wear down your teeth’s enamel, leaving them more prone to stains and cavities.

Vegetables. All are good for us, but if you eat anything oniony, you’re much more apt to brush your teeth afterwards. Munching on broccoli will not only supply your body with iron but will give your teeth a quick scrub while it’s at it. Carrots and celery are the next in this line of veggies. All great vitamins packed inside, and the high-water content is great for saliva production.

Dairy. Chockful of calcium, foods like milk, yogurt and cheese strengthen your teeth and gums. The stronger your teeth enamel is, the white & healthy they become.

For more information about teeth whitening, call Dr. Schneider in Mooresville, NC at 704-660-1802 or visit www.schneidersmiles.com.

Drs. Catherine and Kenneth Schneider proudly serve patients from Mooresville and all surrounding areas.

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Ways to Keep Your Smile Bright and White | Mooresville Dentist

Some people are just born with much more yellowish teeth compared to others. It’s more of a genetic thing than anything else. It is also a known fact that as we age, our teeth begin to yellow. Other things that can tinge our teeth are more along the lines of habits – tobacco habits, drinking dark beverages like coffee or wine, poor diet and dental hygiene. So, as we step foot into 2022, it may be a good idea to take stock in what your current habits are and how they are affecting your smile.

Frequent dental cleanings can easily remove most of the stains caused by certain food, drinks and tobacco. Using a whitening toothpaste can also help remove such stains in between visits to the dentists. Though, if your stains have been present for years, simply cleaning and brushing just won’t cut it.

Bleaching. Bleaching requires the use of tooth-bleaching gels to oxidize out the stain and can be done either by the dentist or at home. A common side effect during the process is for teeth to become slightly more sensitive than usual.

At-home whitening. Done by letting your dentist take an impression of your teeth and making a custom-fitted tray, you’ll then have to fill the tray with whitening gel and wear it for two hours a day for as long as two weeks. If done correctly, at-home whitening can be a very effective teeth whitening solution.

In-office whitening. Zoom! whitening is done in the dentist’s office. Each visit takes somewhere around 30 minutes to one hour and multiple visits are usually required to achieve the desired results.

For more information about teeth whitening, call Dr. Schneider in Mooresville, NC at 704-660-1802 or visit www.schneidersmiles.com.

Drs. Catherine and Kenneth Schneider proudly serve patients from Mooresville and all surrounding areas.