That’s a new one on us. Got any other clever or unexpected uses for stuff? Send us photos to tips at lifehacker.com.”

By Gina Trapani, 9:30 AM on Fri Jul 20 2007

“I actually do this!!”  –Alex Nottingham

Although we take many steps to ensure your comfort during dental cleanings, we know it is not the most natural experience.  The good news is there are ways you can participate in your overall experience. 

I highly recommend bringing an IPOD or walkman.  Listening to music you enjoy can be a major help in keeping you relaxed and passing time during your visit.  Some other suggestions may be sunglasses or audio books for your music player.  We also can provide (upon request) blankets and neck pillows.  We look forward to seeing you at your next dental cleaning.  Any questions regarding homecare or other hygiene issues please email me at Michelle@smilesouthflorida.com.  Call or email to schedule your appointment today!

Going to the dentists office can be a scary thing for anyone, no matter what gender or age you are.  Imagine if you wanted to have major cosmetic work that you would possibly be making a large investment on – both financially and aesthetically.  Would you trust your smile to just anyone?

I like to compare dental work (or any other cosmetic procedure for that matter) to a relationship:

(1) It needs to begin on a solid foundation
(2) It is a major decision that involves a great deal of thought, research, and
(3) You want to choose the right person

Choosing the wrong dentist that lacks experience, in exchange for price shopping, so-called “good deals,” and to-good-to-be-true offers can leave you in pain, in debt, and could cost more money out of pocket in the long run!

When going to a dental office, ask yourself what really matters to you, and what would you want for your long-term care? Most patients have little to no knowledge of what is involved in the treatment of their mouths.  It is best to leave it up to the professionals to gear you toward several treatment options for you.  Most of the better quality dental offices will not quote a price, or even an estimate, without first being seen by a cosmetic dentist for a consultation/evaluation.  There are just too many variables involved to guess.

A patient must also consider that this is a long-term investment for their health and confidence.  Sometimes the better dental offices charge slightly more, because the materials and labs used are of a higher quality than their competitors.  Also, make sure to thoroughly research the dentist and their credentials.  A very important indicator of good cosmetic dental work, is a dentist that has a large portfolio of work that they have done over the years.  If you visit many websites and see no credentials, only see a minimal amount of before and after photos, or no photos and only testimonials; be weary.

Many dentists also use what are called “stock photos” on their websites.  These pictures are not their own, but they are photos of models that anyone can purchase online to put on their smile galleries.  The photos that Smile South Florida Cosmetic Dentistry use are all of our actual patients that have given us expilcit permission to use their images.

The reason the Smile South Florida offers complimentary cosmetic consultations is because we are confident in our dentists, our staff, and the exceptional treatment that we provide.  The consultation (which is valued at $200) is a great way for our future patients to (1) visit and tour our offices, (2) meet with our friendly staff and dental team, (3) discuss their concerns and case with one of our skilled cosmetic dentists, and (4) get a basic idea of the cost and time frame that their treatment will need.  The appointment is generally 20-30 minutes, and you will fill out paperwork like a regular patient.

Some patients that travel in from out of town/state/country opt to combine their initial cosmetic consultation with their exam, x-rays, and sometimes even their case presentations (if time is a concern).  If you wish to combine appointments, let the office know when scheduling.  This appointment can range anywhere from 1 hour, to several hours if a case presentation is involved.

What are good questions/topics to ask the cosmetic dentist?  What can you do for me cosmetically?  What are my treatment options?  How long will the treatment take (approximately)?  What is the rough estimated cost?  What cases (photos) do you have to show me that are similar to mine?  What lab and materials will be used?  What are the benefits of this treatment?  When can I get started?

The road to beautiful teeth and an amazing smile are not out of reach for anyone.  We have helped numerous amounts of patients, see the way toward a smile that they are proud to show off.  Let us find out how we can help you with your Complimentary Cosmetic Consultation.  Call or email our office today!

By now, most of us are aware that nicotine is very harmful to our health and bodies. However, some of us do not realize the damage that nicotine does to our teeth. Some nicotine stains can be removed by dental professionals and some are forever painted onto your smile.

4. Red wine

Red wine stains are the hardest to avoid. It is hard for us women to bring a toothbrush with us out on the town. It would be best to only drink red wine when you will be able to immediately brush your teeth when your finished. Try sticking to a blush or white wine when you are out.

5. Grape juice

Fruit juices are very high in sugar and have actually been more detrimental to the teeth of test animals than sodas! If you want to drink fruit juice, buy a juicer and make your own with organic fruit. It’s best to dilute a small amount of fruit juice with mineral water.

6. Soft drinks

Now that soft drinks are sold in almost all public and private schools, dentists are noticing a condition in teenagers that used to be found only in the elderly—a complete loss of enamel on the teeth, resulting in yellow teeth. The culprit is phosphoric acid in soft drinks, which causes tooth rot as well as digestive problems and bone loss. Dentists are reporting complete loss of the enamel on the front teeth in teenaged boys and girls who habitually drink sodas.

Normally the saliva is slightly alkaline, with a pH of about 7.4. When sodas are sipped throughout the day, as is often the case with teenagers, the phosphoric acid lowers the pH of the saliva to acidic levels. In order to buffer this acidic saliva, and bring the pH level above 7 again, the body pulls calcium ions from the teeth. The result is a very rapid depletion of the enamel coating on the teeth.

Artificial coloring is in many foods that are packaged or pre-prepared. It is hard to avoid this culprit on a daily basis because of time constraints. Because the dyes are mixed in with the solids it is not as concentrate as some of the other offenders on this list.

If you or anyone you know is a victim of teeth staining visit our website for a list of whitening procedures that can dramatically change your dingy smile into pearly whites. www.smilesouthflorida.com

Reference: