Benefits of Drinking Through a Straw

It may seem a little weird to drink your coffee with a straw, but did you know that this little change can help alleviate some big dental health concerns?  CastleDental.com has gathered some great benefits of drinking through a straw:
• Stain protection:  Drinking through a straw can help prevent unsightly stains on your teeth from chugging dark-colored beverages like tea and coffee. Using a straw allows you to decrease direct contact with drinks that can stain your teeth.
• Hygiene: Avoid germs from restaurant cutlery or even your own coffee mug by using a straw. This will help limit your exposure to bacteria from other people and handling so that you can enjoy the beverage of your choice, with less germs.
• Reduced Exposure: Sipping through a straw means more control over the food or drink you’re taking in, allowing you to direct the substance away from your teeth. Instead of immersing your teeth in liquid, only a portion of your teeth is exposed to the liquid, which is good news for your smile. Less exposure equals less wear and tear on your enamel.
• Convenience: When you’re out and about, drinking from a straw is much easier than unscrewing a cap or tilting your head back to gulp from a glass.
• Safety: You are reducing your risk of choking by drinking through a straw. It also works as a safety precaution against burning your mouth or tongue on hot beverages because you are sipping a smaller amount.

Do you think you’ll make the switch to using a straw more frequently? Tell us in the comments section below!

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Do You Really Need to Use Mouthwash?

Of course, there are many benefits of using mouthwash. It can:

• Reduce plaque
• Help prevent tooth decay
• Treat bad breath
• Help fight gingivitis

But do you really NEED it?  Some sources say no.

However, if your teeth and mouth are already healthy, or if you have a condition that isn’t being helped by using mouthwash, you may not need it at all. If you suffer chronic bad breath, for example, and mouthwash isn’t helping, there could be an underlying reason for your condition.

People who brush and floss with good technique regularly may not need to use mouthwash at all.

Always check with your dentist prior to making any changes to your dental care plan.

Source.

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Teeth Cleaning in a Pinch

Do your summer activities keep you too busy to brush your teeth between every meal?  Well you're in luck!  BrightNow.com has gathered the best remedies for dirty teeth for when you're in a real pinch!

The start of spring often means the start of camping, spring break road trips, and fun travels. But, then that dreaded moment happens when you open up your bags and realize you forgot your toothbrush!

Hopefully you’re nearby a local store to pick one up, but in case you need to clean your teeth in a pinch, there are a few alternatives to make sure your teeth stay as clean as possible in these situations. Here are a few tactics to consider:

•       Swish some water in your mouth for two minutes. Although this won’t necessarily “clean” your teeth, it can help to rinse away large chunks of food that could cause damage if left too long.
•       Saliva is designed to naturally clean your mouth, so think of things that will help produce additional amounts of saliva. For example, chewing on a piece of sugar free gum will help with this process. Added bonus is it can also help freshen your breath!
•       Avoid foods that are high in sugar. If you want a healthy mouth, you should focus on a healthy diet all the time as sugary treats can do some serious damage on your teeth. But, this is especially important when you don’t have access to a toothbrush for an extended period of time.
•       Look around you for other tools that can function as a temporary toothbrush. If you have a paper towel handy, take your finger and wrap the towel around it and move along your teeth in a circular motion, similar to as if you were brushing with a normal toothbrush.

Ultimately, the most important thing to remember is your actual toothbrush! So, always have an extra one on you for when you travel so you can keep your pearly whites sparkling at all times.

Chewing Gum vs. Mints, Which is Better?

Are you a gum person or a mint person?  Have you noticed that usually people are one or the other but not both?

So, which one is better?  BrightNow.com breaks it down for us:


The answer completely depends on the situation.
Mints are great if you want an instant blast of fresh breath, but don’t want to have something in your mouth for the next half hour or more. They are also easy to pack around without worrying about temperature, (gum doesn’t hold up very well in a pocket or hot car) and most mint containers pack a lot more individual pieces than a pack of gum. This means you get more occasions of fresh breath for the price.
On the down side, mints usually dissolve quickly, so you’re likely to consume them at a faster rate than gum. Plus, the flavors are very limited compared to gum.
Gum has many of the same breath freshening qualities that mints do, and some gums even kill odor-causing bacteria. It’s also ideal for after meals, as chewing gum helps to remove food particles and bacteria from your teeth and stimulates saliva production, which can help with bad breath and dry mouth. Some gums even help whiten your teeth.
Gum has its drawbacks, too. Chewing gum can be distracting or even disrespectful in some situations (interviews, for example) and prolonged chewing can cause jaw fatigue.
So what do you think? Will you switch breath fresheners based on these pros and cons?

Worst Drinks for Your Teeth

Are you worried that the beverages you're drinking are harming your teeth?  Well, you could be right!  BrightNow.com breaks down the harmful effects of the worst drinks for your teeth:

Unless you only drink water, it is inevitable to keep your teeth completely safe from sugary, acidic and potentially stain-threatening beverages. Although, practicing good oral health care and being aware of what foods and drinks are most dangerous for your teeth will help protect your mouth from daily bacteria buildup and yellowing.

The following drinks and beverage categories are the notorious for being rough on teeth:

•    Coffee – This dark drink is a staple in many people’s daily diets, but can be a culprit when it comes to yellowing teeth. To decrease these effects, try drinking with a straw to avoid direct contact or follow each cup with continuous water consumption. If you feel that your teeth need a whitening boost, consult your dentist to determine if professional services or over the counter products are the right fit for you.
•    Tea – Similar to coffee, this beverage group also has potential staining power, especially black and other dark tea blends. Again, drinking through a straw and being mindful of the level of consumption will help keep teeth shiny and white.
•    Energy and Sports Drinks - This category is probably the worst in terms of sugar levels and acidity, all nightmare ingredients for your teeth. These soda-alternatives can be the most damaging because they attack tooth enamel, which cannot be fixed or replaced. When tooth enamel is worn down, the risk of decay becomes much more serious.
•    Sodas – Carbonated soft drinks also possess higher levels of sugar and acidity, which hurt tooth enamel and can lead to decay and cavities. Though sugar free options are better, the acidity is still a major player in dental issues.

Your teeth will not be ruined with any one of these drinks, but more the long-term exposure is what can lead to serious damage. Using a straw, drinking more water, brushing at least twice a day and flossing regularly will help to protect your teeth from sugar buildup and decay. 

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Summer Travel Must Haves

When you're packing for a trip, a few things probably top your packing list: phone & charger, passport, voltage converters, emergency cash, and a bottle of hand sanitizer.  But, what about keeping your teeth looking sparkly and healthy while you're on your dream vacation?  Here are a few must-haves for your packing list:

1. Toothpaste
2. Tooth brush
3. Dental Floss
4. Sugar Free Gum
5. Camera!!

Enjoy your summer travels!

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Celebrities Who Have Had Dental Surgery

We all know our favorite celebrities didn’t always look that way. Before they were famous, most went through their own awkward phases and then transformed into the glamorous people we know today.

One of the most common types of changes celebrities make is to undergo cosmetic dental surgery. Did you know the following people have had their teeth fixed?

•    Tom Cruise
•    George Clooney
•    Catherine Zeta-Jones

Glamour has gathered some of the most extreme cases here!

Why Flossing Is So Important

Did you know that many people floss don't floss every day, or even AT ALL?  Thankfully, Sandy Johnson of BrightNow.com has collected the most important factors when it comes to flossing:

Flossing is hugely important. Why? It’s simple, really: Flossing gets at the smallest, hardest-to-reach crevices in your mouth—the places where cavities are most likely to develop.

It’s key to preventing gum disease and tooth loss, not to mention it could save you a ton of money on dental surgery. Think about that for a second: A little $2 container of floss and 3-5 minutes per day could save you a bill for tens of thousands of dollars a few years down the road (and a lot of discomfort).

Here are a few quick tips to make sure you get the most out of your flossing routine:

• Use whatever works. Old-school ribbon floss, one of those Y-shaped holders—there are a lot of ways to get into those hard-to-reach areas. Ask your dentist and hygienist if there’s a particular one that’s right for you.
• Work the floss between your teeth gently, in a sort of sawing motion. You don’t want to just jab it in there and risk damaging your gums.
• Once you’re in, pull the floss sideways and scrape off the insides of your teeth in an up-and-down motion.
• Don’t forget the very back of your last tooth! A lot of gunk can build up there, and a lot of people forget it since it’s in the back.

Don’t get us wrong—flossing is a chore. But it’s one of the most important ones you’ll engage in all day.

Read more here.

Image via http://DentalHealing.com

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7 Quotes That Will Make You Smile!

1. “If you see a friend without a smile, give him one of yours.” –Proverb
2. “The shortest distance between two people is a smile.” –Unknown
3. “You are not fully dressed until you wear a smile.” –Evan Esar
4. “If you smile at someone, they might smile back.” –Unknown
5. “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” –Dr. Seuss
6. “Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been.” –Mark Twain
7. “A smile is the light in the window of your face that tells people you’re at home.” –Unknown

How to Prevent Bleeding Gums

Do your gums often bleed from flossing?  Although this is a normal occurrence sometimes, here are many factors that could be causing your gums to bleed:

• Brushing too hard. Do you apply a lot of pressure when you brush your teeth? You shouldn’t have to dig into your mouth to clean your teeth. Ease up by switching your toothbrush to your non-dominant hand.
• Brushing incorrectly. If you brush your teeth using a back-and-forth motion, you’re doing it wrong. Brush up and down or in small circles to avoid irritating your gums.
• Using the wrong toothbrush. How firm are your toothbrush bristles? Most people should use soft-bristled toothbrushes. Try switching to see if it helps alleviate your discomfort.
• Not brushing/flossing often enough. Has it been a long time since you last brushed or flossed? If so, it could take about a week or so before your mouth is used to being scrubbed and prodded at. If this doesn’t take care of the bleeding schedule a dental appointment immediately as you may have an infection called Gingivitis or Periodontitis that needs to be treated right away.
Read more on BrightNow.com

Natural looking dentures – is it possible?

Are you considering dentures, but worried friends and family will be able to tell immediately?  Here are some helpful items to consider from dentalhealthpress.com:

Have you ever met someone who you immediately knew was wearing dentures? Maybe the teeth were too big, too perfect, too straight or too white? Or maybe the dentures just didn’t fit and kept dropping down or sliding around when the person was talking or eating? An experience like this is often enough to discourage anyone from choosing dentures as the replacement for lost teeth. But it doesn’t have to be like that. These days dentures can be made to look so natural that only the trained eye can tell that they’re not your natural teeth. How?

Do you really want natural looking dentures?

First of all, you need to decide whether you really want natural looking dentures. If you don’t want anyone to notice that you exchanged your natural teeth for dentures, you will need to have your dentures made to look exactly like the original teeth with all their imperfections, such as miscolorations, cracks and visible fillings. Others decide that changing to dentures is their chance to get the teeth they always wanted. Although they might be happy with their perfect, white new teeth, this change will probably not go unnoticed by their friends and relatives. Others might find it unusual too, to see such a young looking set of teeth on a not so young looking person. Still others decide to go with with a set of dentures that is just slightly better looking than the original teeth. They reason that most people are not in the habit of studying other peoples' teeth so closely that they would notice small changes like that. Which is probably true.

How to get natural looking dentures

If you decide to go for the natural look, make sure that your dentist takes note of exactly how your original teeth look. If many teeth are already missing, bring a photo of yourself where you are smiling and thus showing off your natural teeth. This will also help the dentist see, not only what the dentures are supposed to look like, but also how the impression should be of your whole face when you are finally wearing the dentures. Dentures when worn should not be too tall or protruding, making it difficult to close your lips around them and they should not be so low that they never show when you smile. If you find that you suddenly have wrinkles around your mouth, especially at the corners is a sign that your dentures are too small or too low. If you’ve had dentures for a long time and start to experience these problems it is also a sign that your need to have your dentures refitted or maybe even changed.

Can periodontal disease cause premature birth?

Many pregnant mothers express worry over having their child prematurely.  Surely, this article from dentalhealthpress.com will help you understand the risks associated with periodontal disease.

Several epidemiological studies seem to support the theory that there is a link between periodontal disease in pregnant women and premature birth. For instance, one study suggested that pregnant women with periodontal disease are as much as seven times more likely to have babies that are born too early or have a relatively low birth weight.

Why does periodontal disease cause premature birth?

Although the connection between periodontal disease and premature birth seems clearly to be existing, researcher are still not certain about the reasons for this connection.

One theory is that periodontal disease triggers increased levels of the biological fluids that induce labor. In other words, the regulators that are supposed to send the message that birth is to begin are produced elsewhere in the body and the message is sent prematurely. Some of these regulators are called prostaglandins, and they can be produced by different diseases, among which is gum disease.

Another theory is that oral bacteria from the mother is transferred directly into the uterus, causing localized inflammation and adverse pregnancy outcome.

Maintain good oral health during pregnancy

Whatever the reason for the connection between gum disease and preterm birth, it is clear that it is crucial for pregnant mothers to maintain good oral hygiene through the whole pregnancy. Discomfort in connection with the pregnancy such as nausea may at times make it difficult to keep up the good oral hygiene habits from before the pregnancy, but with determination and good support from your dental health professional is it not impossible.

One advice that many pregnant mothers have benefitted from is to buy a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small head. If you suffer from nausea, a smaller toothbrush will make it easier to reach the teeth in the back of your mouth without causing too much discomfort. The soft bristles will also be more gentle on your gums, which might be extra sore during your pregnancy.

Some pregnant mothers experience more serious dental health problems during pregnancy, such as bleeding gums, loose teeth and bad breath despite frequent brushing. If you experience such problems, you might benefit from a visit to your dentist or dental hygienist. They can help evaluate the condition of your gums, make you aware of areas that you need to pay more attention to and teach you how to care for your own oral health and thereby the health of your baby.

Top 5 Signs Your Kids Need Orthodontic Treatments

If you have kids, you'll love this article from WorldDental.org:

If you have children, you know that kids are expensive. Between food, clothes, toys, music lessons and school supplies, you probably already spend more money than you want to. If this is the case, shelling out thousands of dollars for braces is probably the last thing you want to do. Before you make a decision on orthodontic treatments for your children, how can you know if they’re really necessary?

Crossbite
A crossbite can happen with just one tooth or a group of teeth. If your children seem to have one or more teeth that are too close to either the tongue or cheek, they could very well have a crossbite. The treatment for this varies, depending on the severity. However, the sooner it is corrected, the less expensive it will be for you.

Crowded Teeth
If your children complain about flossing, they could just hate the feeling of the floss in their mouth, but you should still check to see if their teeth are crowded. Teeth that are too close together can cause discomfort while flossing and are more likely to attract cavities.

Trouble Chewing
If your children’s teeth aren’t aligned right, you may notice them chewing their food on only one side of their mouth or swallowing food before it’s properly chewed. This can lead to complications and more problems down the road, so getting it taken care of soon is optimal.

Overbite or Underbite
If you think your children might be having trouble with the alignment of their teeth, ask them to give you a big smile. If a child’s lower jaw seems pretty far back compared to the upper jaw, they probably have an overbite. An underbite is when the lower jaw protrudes past the upper jaw. This is something that typically requires orthodontic work so it doesn’t get worse or affect other areas of the mouth.

Speech Impediment
While speech problems don’t necessarily come from teeth problems, they can. If you have trouble understanding your children sometimes and have to ask them to repeat themselves often, you may want to consider taking them to an orthodontist.
Irregular Loss of Baby Teeth

All kids lose their baby teeth at different times, but if you notice that one of your children seems to be losing his teeth early or late, it could indicate a problem. Also, pay attention to the rate at which your children are losing their baby teeth.

By taking your children to an orthodontist, their teeth will be healthier, and problems such as having a hard time eating or talking could be improved or fixed.

Anita is a freelance writer from Denver and often writes about family, health, home and finance. A mother of two, she enjoys traveling with her family when she isn’t writing. While many parents choose to take their children to an orthodontist for aesthetic purposes, the benefits of treatment go beyond appearance, says a Buford Orthodontist.

Natural Ways to Keep Teeth Healthy

We love this handy reference guide from About.com to some key ingredients and their benefits to your oral health is listed below. Enjoy your favorites at any time to achieve a healthier, whiter smile.

Basil

A natural antibiotic, reduces bacteria in the mouth.

Broccoli

Forms an acid-resistant film on teeth that can help prevent enamel erosion.

Carrots

Full of Vitamin A which is absolutely necessary for the formation of tooth enamel. This and all crunchy vegetables also cleanse and stimulate your gums, making them healthy.

Cheese

Offers the benefit of lactic acid to help prevent tooth decay.

Celery

Activates saliva production, which assists in cleansing food particles from the teeth and dilutes sugars or acids in the mouth. Chewing celery also massages the gums.

Ginger

An anti-inflammatory to support healthy mouth tissue.

Green Tea

Contains an antioxidant called catechin (found in green tea too!), which reduces bacteria growth that causes gingivitis.

Kale or Chard

High in minerals that support tooth structure.

Implants versus root canals

Here’s a question I’m asked all the time: is it better to get a root canal or just have your ailing tooth extracted and replaced with an implant? My invariable answer is: many factors will determine what’s right for you.

The decision-making process should start with solid information. X-rays or a CT scan can reveal much about the size and robustness of the natural root structure. This usually changes over time. As people age, their teeth become more brittle and less vital; periodontal disease and bone loss also can weaken them. In my opinion, a reasonable rule of thumb is to ask whether the tooth can be expected to survive for at least five years after root canal treatment. If so, the patient may well prefer that option. Otherwise, a dental implant is likely to be a better choice.

Other factors merit consideration too. The price of both forms of treatment may differ, although in some geographic regions that difference is not as considerable as one might expect.

The amount of time and discomfort entailed in each procedure also can differ. Before choosing one course over the other, patients should talk to their dentists and get a clear picture of what would be involved in both.

Yet another consideration is how you would feel about losing the tooth. Different individuals can react to this experience quite differently. It’s a very personal subject. A sensitivity to this question along with the many other factors can help ensure you make the  choice that’s right for you.   

FAQ: Cosmetic Dentistry

We love this article from About.com about cosmetic dentistry!

Does Bleaching Damage the Teeth?

No. When carbamide peroxide, the active whitening agent, contacts water, hydrogen peroxide is released which whitens the teeth. Bleaching does not soften, demineralize or weaken the teeth.

Do Over-the-Counter Bleaching Products Work?

There is some evidence that over-the-counter bleaching products do whiten teeth, however, many of the products are too abrasive and can damage the teeth with extended use or misuse. Supervision by your dentist is always the safest and most effective way to whiten your teeth.

What Are Porcelain Veneers and Why Are They Used?

Porcelain veneers are ultra-thin shells of ceramic material which are bonded to the front of the teeth. This procedure can be an ideal choice for improving the appearance of the front teeth by masking discolorations, whitening teeth and/or reshaping a smile.

Time for Spring Cleaning!

Winter is long over and it's time to start preparing for all those smiles you're going to be making over the summer months!  Schedule your cleaning today.

E.max crowns

We’ve all heard the phrase “the gold standard.” It refers to something that’s a standard for excellence – the best. For thousands of years, gold held that position among materials used in dentistry. Today, however, alternatives have emerged that have exceeded that extremely high standard.

One is an all-ceramic material known as e.max. E.max crowns are made from blocks of lithium disilicate. This is an extraordinary material – as tough and durable as gold but possessing a delicate translucency that looks extremely natural.  Moreover, the amount of translucency can be varied to perfectly match the patient’s existing teeth.

To create an e.max crown, the laboratory technician takes a block of the material and presses it into a coping that gives it the right shape. Final processing perfects the optical properties. Alternatively, computer-driven milling machines can be used to sculpt the material. Such crowns include no metal, so they never have an unsightly dark line around the base. 

The e.max material can be used for crowns, veneers, bridges, and other dental applications. Many common  problems can be corrected with it: dental discoloration, worn or uneven teeth, spaces between teeth, cracked or chipped teeth, and more.

Implant Evolution

I started replacing hopeless teeth with dental implants back in the early 90s, when implants were still relatively new to American dentistry. Since then, I’ve restored almost 25,000 implants, watching with pride as my patients have regained their function, confidence, and beautiful smiles.

I feel particularly impressed when I reflect on how dramatically and rapidly implant technology has changed over the past 25 years.  From large and unsightly structures intended only for folks who had lost all their teeth, implant-supported restorations have evolved into something almost unrecognizable. They’re commonly used to replace single teeth – even the highly visible upper incisors – and they can look indistinguishable from the original dentition.

Implant designs have improved to allow for better anchorage in the bone. Titanium continues to be the best material for artificial tooth roots, but manufacturers have developed ways of treating the surface of this extraordinary metal to better allow jaw bone to grow into and fuse with it. As a result, implant failure rates have plummeted to almost nothing. When trauma or atrophy have diminished the dimensions or strength of a patient’s bone, grafting procedures now make it possible to re-create a strong foundation for placing implants.

Perhaps nothing that has occurred has been more important than the leaps in scientific understanding about how implants react with the human body. With greater knowledge, implant treatment has become shorter, less invasive, and less costly. In the early years, getting implants required multiple surgeries stretching over months or even years. Today, in contrast, many patients can have a tooth or teeth extracted and implants placed immediately. Often only one surgery is necessary, and some patients can receive their new teeth on the very day they get the implants.

More breakthroughs are sure to come. But implant patients today can already feel confident that they’re benefiting from decades of breathtaking progress.

Look Years Younger with Rejuvenating Dental Treatments!

Did you know that tooth decay, chips, stains and other changes may also make you look older than you are? The following are just a few of the most popular rejuvenating dental treatments to fix main factors that contribute to an older smile.

Dental Bleaching

Dental bleaching, also known as tooth whitening is a perfect choice for getting rid of those yellowed and dirty teeth look absolutely stunning.

Dental Bonding and Porcelain Veneers

When dental bleaching isn’t enough to fix cavities or broken teeth, bonding and veneers are another option. Bonding and veneers improve the look of teeth thru changing their color, shape and spacing.

Porcelain Crown

Dental crown is needed to protect a weak tooth, restore broken tooth, cover and support a tooth with large spaces, hold a dental bridge in place, cover discolored teeth and dental implant and make a cosmetic modification.

Tooth-Colored Fillings

White fillings, also known as tooth-colored fillings are dental fillings that give back the natural look of tooth.

Dental Implants

Dental implants may be a treatment for people who have lost a tooth or full set of teeth. The restorations can be used with dental implants include:

            Porcelain Crowns

·      Porcelain crowns rebuild individual teeth due to decay or large filling

Implant-Supported Bridges

·      Implant-supported bridges are best when more than one tooth is missing.

Implant-Supported Dentures

·      For those people who need full set of teeth, implant-supported dentures are a perfect treatment.

Teeth can reveal your real age, so start early with your total teeth care routine!

Oral Care During Your Pregnancy

You have so much to think about during pregnancy, but your oral health should be a top priority, which can be affected by the hormonal changes you will experience during this time. Women are more likely to develop gingivitis and other dental issues while pregnant. Below are tips for taking care of your oral health while you are pregnant.

1.    Practice good oral hygiene

·      Brushing your teeth prevents tooth decay and gum disease. Unfortunately, brushing alone cannot clean effectively between tight spaces, so flossing is the best way to remove food trapped between the teeth and bacteria. Gargle every night with an alcohol-free mouthrinse. If you can’t keep this routine after every meal, chew sugar free gum, which can help reduce the bacteria that can lead to tooth decay.

2.    Oral health care

·      Discuss all your concerns to your dentist; schedule a dental appointment as soon as possible especially if you are encountering gingivitis (swelling of gums) or any serious dental diseases.

3.    Eat healthy

·      Eat a healthy, balanced diet such as fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain and dairy products. Eat fewer foods high in sugar such as candies, soda and cookies. Drink water or milk instead of fruit-flavored drinks. Remember that what you eat would be your baby’s future.

Your oral health is an important part of your overall health; untreated dental disease can be harmful to you and your baby. Remember that what you do and eat are shared with your baby.

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The Effects of Biting Your Nails

Onychophagia (also known as onychophagy) or nail biting is a habit of constantly placing your nails near your mouth and using your teeth to peel the top. It is triggered by stress, excitement, or boredom.

Here are the unhealthy effects of biting your nails:

·      Nail biting harms your teeth, leading to poorly aligned, weakened teeth.

·      Leaves your fingers sore

·      Skin around your nails may bleed and become infected

·      Swallowing dirty nails can result to stomach problems caused by has germs

·      For those patients with braces, nail biting weakens teeth roots, and could actually loosen or brake the brackets themselves.

·      Increases dental problems such as gingival injury and malocclusion of the anterior teeth

·      Fingernails may become severely deformed

Nail biting is a bad habit that can only make your hands look unsightly and damage teeth or even your gums. If you are trying to quit, try these simple solutions:

·      Keep nails trimmed short.

·      Apply a clear, bitter-tasting nail polish to the nails

·      Try yoga or any healthy activities or exercise to manage your stress

Consult to your doctor if nail biting persists. It could be a sign of a more serious psychological problem. Remember that your physical features reveal your real age and one part is your nails. Keep it healthy and clean!

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Porcelain Veneers vs. Invisalign: Which Is the Best Way to Straighten Teeth?

Nowadays, there are different dental treatments for straightening crooked teeth. The only issue is deciding which one is the best one to give us the results we desire. Two popular ways to improve your smile’s appearance are porcelain veneers and Invisalign.

How porcelain veneers straighten teeth

Veneers are sometimes referred to as “instant orthodontics” because straight teeth can be achieved in as little as single visit to the dentist. Thin ceramic shells are placed directly onto the front facing parts of your teeth. You don’t actually move your teeth; you reshape them giving you a perfectly aligned smile.

How Invisalign straightens teeth

Invisalign is a teeth-straightening system that moves your teeth with clear plastic aligners. The aligners are changed and adjusted every two weeks to reach the desired location.

Advantages of porcelain veneers and invisalign

Porcelain veneers give results quicker. It also don’t just make your teeth straight, they can correct many other problems such as peg lateral and discolored teeth. Also, you don’t have to wear a retainer. Because your tooth roots aren’t moved, there’s no tendency to move back. On the other hand, Invisalign keeps your natural tooth material, which is always great.

If you have crooked teeth, Invasalign is the best choice. Porcelain veneers are a great option for various dental problems apart from minor crookedness, including stains, chips and cracks. Remember to consult to a dentist, he or she will know best when it comes to dental concerns.