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White Fillings: Your Santa Monica Dentist Can Make Your Smile its Best

February 9, 2013 Afshin Golyad DDS.

Most adults require fillings at some point in their life. When a cavity forms, the dentist must place a filling in the cavity after treatment in order to ensure that the cavity does not get worse. Once decay has been removed, the tooth also has a hollow spot inside. This must be filled in with a filling in order to strengthen the tooth. Traditionally, fillings have been made from silver. While this is safe and reliable filling, however, it can be unsightly, especially for patients with more than one filling. Silver (amalgam) fillings can show when patients smile, laugh, or speak and some patients can feel very uncomfortable or embarrassed by their fillings.

An ideal solution is a white filling. White fillings are made of a durable composite resin. As their name suggests, white fillings are in fact matched to the tooth color, making the fillings virtually invisible. White fillings have long been available for front teeth. However, new breakthroughs in dentistry have created an even stronger composite resin that can be applied to the back teeth, where much of the chewing pressure takes place. The new white fillings are very durable, even when applied to the back teeth.

If you are considering white fillings, you should know that there are many reasons to choose this type of filling. White fillings are often chosen for cosmetic reasons. Many patients find that white fillings make their smiles look perfectly natural. With white fillings, you will look as though you have a naturally perfect smile. White fillings are also ideal for patients who have health concerns with most fillings. White fillings are mercury-free, which makes some patients feel safer. Finally, white fillings are ideal for those who have sensitive teeth. If your teeth are sensitive to heat or cold, white fillings can help reduce pain because composite resin does not conduct temperature changes as quickly as silver or gold fillings. Therefore, your teeth warm or cool more gradually, meaning less pain for you.

If these benefits have you considering white fillings, you should meet with a qualified Santa Monica dentist to learn whether these treatment options are right for you. Our professional team at West LA Dental has years of experience with white fillings, so contact one of our team members today to learn more. We can help you decide which fillings are right for you.


Dingy Teeth? See Your Santa Monica Dentist

February 9, 2013 Afshin Golyad DDS.

Bright, white teeth are not only a sign of good health, but they create a very youthful smile. That’s one reason why almost all celebrities go to great lengths to ensure that their pearly whites remain as bright as possible. A study by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry found that 99.7 % of Americans see a smile as an important social asset while 96 % think that an attractive smile makes a person more appealing. The same survey found that 74 % of Americans believe that an unattractive smile can damage potential for career success.

Time and food stains (including stains from chocolate, coffee, wine, tea, and cherries) can all take their toll on teeth. Plus, some people just have teeth that are naturally darker in color. If you want to have a dazzling smile, the first step is to take excellent care of your mouth, teeth, and gums. Regular brushing, flossing, and dentist visits can all help keep your smile in top form. You might also want to give up smoking – tobacco is a major culprit in staining teeth. If you need a little extra help, though, your Santa Monica dentist can help you with a number of tooth whitening options.

There are many whitening kits and toothpastes that you can buy at the pharmacy. Unfortunately, to make these products safe, manufacturers create products that only eliminate some stains. If your teeth are very stained or don’t respond to whitening toothpaste, you can see your Santa Monica dentist for more options. Your dental professional may use high concentration peroxide bleach to take care of stains. In-office whitening is effective and safe.

Your Santa Monica dentist can also make you a custom-designed home bleaching tray. This tray is worn over the teeth and allows whitening product to go in the right places on your teeth and gums. This method of whitening can be less expensive than other in-office treatments and delivers a more even and effective whitening result than over-the-counter products.

While over-the-counter whitening products are inexpensive and tempting, in-office whitening by a dental professional can help you get safer, more effective results. Having a dental professional overseeing your whitening can help ensure that you get the best results. A dentist can also check the overall health of your teeth and gums and advise you on the safest way to achieve your best smile. If you are ready to get a smile that dazzles, contact West LA Dental today. Our professionals have the expertise needed to have your smiling proudly again.


Why Celebrities Turn to Their West LA Dentist for Veneers

February 9, 2013 Afshin Golyad DDS.

Celebrities turn to Hollywood dentists very frequently for veneers. From rock stars to actresses, celebs are turning to veneers as the easy and effective way to change their smile. What’s so special about veneers? Veneers are quite simply very thin porcelain or acrylic shells which are attached to the front part of the teeth. Veneers can quickly transform a smile and can cover up a number of problems, including chipped teeth, uneven teeth, large fillings, stains, and other problems. Veneers are quite often the fastest way to transform a crooked and unsightly smile into a beautiful, bright mouth.

Celebrities love the way that veneers make their teeth perfect for the camera all the time, and you are likely to enjoy the same effect. If you’ve always wanted a Hollywood perfect smile, but have dreaded the hours of surgery and other procedures it would take to get your mouth perfect, veneers are for you. These time-saving devices you to enjoy an excellent smile with minimal pain, discomfort, and inconvenience.

If you want veneers, consider talking to your Santa Monica dentist about whether this procedure is right for you. In general, in order to get veneers, your dentist will have to evaluate your mouth, and remove part of the enamel from your teeth in order to make room for the veneers. Your dentist will also have to make an impression or mold of your teeth, so that your veneers can be custom-made for your mouth. During a subsequent visit, you Santa Monica dentist will place a mild chemical all over your teeth to help make the surface of the teeth are little bit rough. This will allow the veneers to adhere to your teeth very well. Your dentist will then individually attach each veneer to your teeth, using a composite resin cement. The result will be instantly perfect teeth. You can see results right away, and unlike dentures or other solutions, veneers give you a perfect smile around the clock.

If you want to know whether veneers — or some other cosmetic dentistry procedures — are right for you, contact West LA Dental today. West LA Dental has a team of dental professionals specializing in cosmetic dentistry. We can help you figure out which type of veneers are right for you, or we can help you find the sort of procedure that will give you the smile you want.


Dental Care 101 – From Your Santa Monica Dentist

February 9, 2013 Afshin Golyad DDS.

Many patients assume that they know everything that there is to know about dental care. However, whether you’re visiting your Santa Monica dentist regularly or whether it has been awhile since your last checkup, it is never too late or too early to start practicing good oral hygiene. In order to keep your smile looking its very brightest, you need to:

Brush

Brushing is the basis of a good oral hygiene program. Using a toothbrush that is in good shape and a high quality toothpaste is essential. You should be brushing at least a few times a day, making sure to brush each tooth well. Use gentle pressure and brush from your gums down. Brush your tongues as well to discourage bacteria and to promote fresh breath.

Floss

In addition to brushing, flossing is essential. While brushing removes tartar and food from the surface of your tooth, most toothbrushes aren’t very good at getting in between your teeth. Only flossing removes articles of food from deep between your teeth. Without flossing, food can easily decay between your teeth, causing cavities. You should floss once a day, or more if you have eaten something that seems to stick between your teeth.

Eat a good diet

A healthy diet promotes your overall health — and that includes your oral health. A diet that is rich in vegetables and fruits is important in promoting good overall health. Vegetables and fruits also provide the “crunch” needed to keep your teeth and gums healthy. It’s important to also eat plenty of calcium — found in milk products — in order to keep your teeth and bones strong. Avoiding excessive sugar can also help you promote a healthy smile.

Keep an eye out for symptoms

When you brush and floss your teeth, you should check your mouth to make sure that your gums and teeth seem healthy. Look for any unexplained bumps, or sores that do not seem to heal properly, and any unusual symptoms. If you notice that your mouth is dry or that you have bad breath, take note. Any of these symptoms could indicate a problem. If you notice any symptoms, be sure to visit your West LA dentist right away. He or she can help you determine whether there is anything wrong. The sooner you see your dentist, the more quickly your dentist can help you recover fully if you do have some sort of problem.

See your dentist regularly

Even if you take care of your teeth perfectly and have no obvious symptoms of disease, you still need to see your Santa Monica dentist regularly. Ideally, you should arrange for checkups and cleanings at least twice a year. Cleanings will not only remove plaque and tartar that you cannot remove with your toothbrush alone, but visiting your dentist regularly also allows your dental health professional to check for diseases and other problems that may not have any obvious symptoms. Visiting your dentist regularly may be one of the most important things that you do to keep your smile bright. It’s been awhile since the last appointment, Contact West LA Dental today.


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