I am proud to say that I have all my own teeth at the age of 65. While that may not sound unusual to some people, everyone in my family who is my age or older wears dentures. I always tell people that that flossing is the key to good dental health. I have arthritis in my hands, but I don't let it keep me from flossing every day. My trick is to use those little "flossers" you can buy at the drug store. They have plastic handles floss stretched out on top of the handle. These make flossing easier on days when my arthritis is acting up. I started this blog to let other people know that they can keep their teeth healthy into old age when they take care of them. If you have hand pain, find ways to make flossing easier, like I did.
Don't Let Hand Pain Keep You from Flossing
Tips For Making Your Veneer-Fitted Teeth Look Natural
Francis Miles
Many people choose to have dental veneers placed on their teeth to help with aesthetic problems, and the tooth caps can really enhance dental appearance. However, some individuals are concerned that the tooth coverings will look unnatural. While this is true, this is rarely a problem with the veneers. An unnatural appearance is typically caused by the look of the other natural teeth in your mouth. If you want to retain a natural appearance, then keep reading to learn about some tips to do so.
Invest In Tooth Whitening
Natural tooth shades vary widely and dentists will often used tooth shade guides to help them figure out the color of your natural teeth. The teeth typically fall into one of four shade categories. These categories include reddish brown, gray, reddish yellow, and reddish gray. If your teeth are in the middle of the shade guide, then a whitening may be performed so the teeth appear lighter in color. Afterwards, dental veneers are ordered that match this lighter tone. This helps to make the teeth appear consistent and natural.
However, the teeth can easily become stained over time. While the enamel will stain, the porcelain veneers will not. This can make the tooth caps appear abnormally white. If you notice this problem, then it is time to invest in a tooth whitening for the natural teeth that are not covered by the veneers. Also, the backs of the teeth that are not covered by the caps can be whitened a bit too, so stains do not show through the porcelain.
Clean The Teeth Thoroughly
Sometimes dark spots will show through the dental veneers and make them look old, dingy, and dark. This can also make the veneers appear unnatural and unappealing. In most cases, the darker areas showing through the teeth are cavity formations. If you have cavities, then the decay should be removed and filling in as soon as possible. If the cavities are not serious ones, then fluoride treatments can be used to try to reverse the decay process.
Once cavities are treated, you should make sure that you brush and floss your teeth thoroughly each and every day. Pay special attention to the backs of the teeth where cavities are most likely to develop. A toothbrush with a small and rounded end that can be slipped around the backs of the teeth easily is a good choice for tooth cleaning. Also, electric toothbrushes can easily be worked into tight spaces around the teeth.
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