About 100 million Americans skip their suggested twice-yearly dental cleanings every year. However, when patients return to the office, it isn’t uncommon to have a few cavities, signs of early gum disease, or severe tooth damage. If you’re experiencing this damage, you may need to turn to a restorative dentist for support.

But what exactly does a restorative dentist do, and is this a worthy investment in your oral health? While you may be weary about whether to schedule restorative services, this is a great way to restart your dental journey. If you want to learn more about restorative dental care and how it can help you reach your best oral health, keep reading. 

What is Restorative Dentistry?

Restorative dentistry is a series of dental procedures and treatments to repair damaged or decayed teeth and provide adequate replacements for missing teeth. When an individual is experiencing severe tooth decay or damage, whether from an injury or improper oral care, it can be difficult and uncomfortable to perform everyday activities like eating, drinking, and speaking. 

When you work with a restorative dental team, their goal is to remedy this decay or damage and improve your overall oral function and health. They will begin by helping you heal any potential oral ailments. Once your dentist addresses these conditions, they will perform dental procedures to restore the function of any damaged teeth. 

What Does a Restorative Dentist Do? 

Restorative dentists perform a variety of services to restore damaged or decayed teeth, ensuring they are in the healthiest condition and strong enough to withstand everyday wear and tear. Some of the most common restorative dental procedures include: 

• Scaling and Root Planing: If you haven’t had a professional teeth cleaning in a while, your restorative dentist may recommend scaling and root planing to remove tartar buildup on your teeth and beneath the gum line. This service is also a great way to begin treating gingivitis or more advanced periodontal disease. 
• Fillings: Your restorative dentist will perform a dental filling for patients with cavities. When you develop a cavity, it creates small holes in your tooth. Your dentist will remove any tooth decay and fill the holes in your tooth, restoring its function and appearance. 
• Root Canals: If tooth decay has advanced into your tooth, a root canal may be necessary. Your restorative dentist will remove infected tissue, or pulp, from your tooth, clean the canals, and fill the tooth with a rubbery material called gutta-percha. Once the tooth is filled, they will place a dental crown to restore your bite. 
• Bridges: If you are missing one tooth or a row of teeth, your restorative dentist can provide a dental bridge. This dental prosthetic bridges the gap between missing teeth, preventing shifting that may impact your bite and smile appearance. 
• Dental Implants: For individuals with missing teeth and plenty of jawbone, your restorative dentist may recommend dental implants. These prosthetics help restore missing teeth while preventing bone loss from insufficient stimulation. 

How is Restorative Dentistry Different From Cosmetic Dentistry? 

The major difference between these two services is the end goal. When you go to the dentist for restorative services, the end goal is to improve the overall health and strength of your teeth. Cosmetic dentistry, on the other hand, aims to enhance the aesthetics of your smile, including the shape, size, and color of your teeth.

In many cases, you must undergo restorative dental procedures before your teeth are strong or healthy enough for cosmetic dental services. If you want to whiten your smile, veneers, or dental bonding, you want the base to be as strong as possible. With restorative dental services, you can trust that your teeth are healthy enough to protect this investment. 

How Much Does Restorative Dental Work Cost? 

The cost of restorative dental work will vary based on the severity of your current oral health condition and the services you need. If you need a few fillings, it may cost about $1,500. However, if you are experiencing extreme tooth decay and damage, the cost of your restorative dental services will rise exponentially. 

If you want a better idea of how much this treatment will cost, it is best to schedule an appointment with a trusted restorative dentist. They will perform an exam, take X-rays, and assess your oral health condition. From there, they will create a treatment plan to help you restore the health and function of your teeth. 

How Long Does This Process Take? 

Much like the cost of your treatment, your treatment length will vary based on your oral health condition. If you’re experiencing a cavity or need a root canal, this process may only take a few weeks. However, as your treatment becomes more complex, the treatment timeline can get much longer than you may initially anticipate.

Services like dental implants can take up to 8 months, as you wait for your jawbone to heal from placing the implant post. When your dentist creates your treatment plan, they should discuss this timeline with you. While it may be longer than anticipated, this process is the ideal first step toward achieving your best oral health. 

Helping You Reach Your Healthiest Smile

Although restorative dental work is a slow process, it is the best move you can make for your smile. Under the care of a compassionate and thorough restorative dental team, like our team at Jenson Dental, you can reach your healthiest smile. From root canals and fillings to implants, bridges, and more, our team is committed to helping you restore your smile and alleviate any discomfort you’re experiencing. 

If you’d like to learn more about our restorative services or schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to contact our Brigham City office today. 

Many dental patients experience some insecurity about the appearance of their smile, which is why teeth whitening has been one of the most popular professional dental services for years. But, before patients make their way into the office, they may consider attempting at-home whitening options, including using whitening toothpaste.

While whitening toothpaste is popular, you may wonder whether smokers toothpaste, designed to lift tough stains, does a better job whitening your teeth. In this blog, we’ll help you understand the key differences between these two products and whether smokers toothpaste can provide the best at-home whitening results. 

What is Smokers Toothpaste?

Smokers toothpaste is a product specifically designed to combat the tough stains left behind by consistent tobacco use. The active ingredients in this toothpaste are often far more abrasive than standard toothpaste, helping scrub away the discoloration caused by the nicotine and tar in your cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and chewing tobacco. 

Some smokers toothpaste on the market contains active ingredients like charcoal and other stain-lifting agents. Not only are these ingredients designed to brighten your teeth, but they also freshen your breath. No matter why they choose to use it, this toothpaste is a great way for smokers to address major oral and dental concerns. 

How Does Whitening Toothpaste Work? 

Similar to smokers toothpaste, whitening toothpaste is designed to remove tough surface stains and prevent the formation of new stains. Whitening toothpastes include some mildly abrasive ingredients, like hydrated silica and aluminum oxide, to break down stains from foods, drinks, and tobacco use while polishing your teeth. 

Some other whitening products on the market contain chemical agents like hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. These ingredients are capable of slowing lightening the color of your teeth over time. However, this toothpaste does not contain the same level of bleaching agents as professional whitening products and treatments. 

Does Whitening Toothpaste Actually Whiten Teeth?

If you’ve been considering whitening your teeth, you may find yourself gravitating toward whitening toothpaste. But are these products strong enough to whiten your teeth? While whitening toothpaste can help you address surface stains, it cannot penetrate deep into your enamel like professional whitening treatments. 

If you are looking for dramatic results, whitening toothpaste alone may not be strong enough to provide the look you’re aiming for. For dental patients who want a bright, white smile, it is best to use whitening toothpaste in conjunction with professional whitening treatments to achieve and maintain a whiter smile. 

Can Smokers Toothpaste Whiten Your Teeth? 

While whitening toothpaste may not be strong enough to provide the results you’re hoping for, you may wonder whether smokers toothpaste can. Smokers toothpaste can be more effective at removing some tough stains on your teeth, especially if tobacco use causes these stains due to its stronger abrasive properties. 

However, this toothpaste may not be capable of making your teeth significantly whiter than their natural color. In some cases, the abrasiveness of smokers toothpaste can lead to enamel wear over time. With the loss of enamel, your teeth may look yellower than before as the dentin beneath your enamel is exposed. 

Ultimately, if you’re looking to whiten your teeth, a toothpaste may not be the right path forward. While these products do a good job of helping you maintain the whiteness of your teeth, they may not be able to whiten your teeth as much as you’d like. Instead of relying on toothpaste for whitening, there are several other options you may want to consider. 

Other Teeth Whitening Options

For patients who want to whiten their teeth, their are a few other, far more reliable ways to whiten your teeth. The most popular teeth whitening options include: 

• Professional Teeth Whitening: Investing in professional whitening treatments is the best way to brighten your teeth. These treatments use professional-grade bleaching agents, providing more noticeable results than over-the-counter whitening products. 
• Whitening Strips: For people who want to whiten their teeth at home, whitening strips are the way to go. These peroxide-based products can lighten your teeth more efficiently than if you used just toothpaste. 
• Whitening Mouthwash: If you are close to achieving your whitening goals, incorporating a whitening mouthwash into your everyday oral hygiene routine may be a good way to lift any remaining stains and maintain results. 
• Natural Options: Some natural options, like charcoal, baking soda, and oil pulling, are some home remedies that may reduce staining. It is important to note, though, that little scientific evidence supports the claim that these products can sufficiently whiten your teeth. 

Achieve Your Brightest, Whitest Smile 

Ultimately, if you want a brighter, whiter smile, your best choice will always be professional dental treatments. Toothpaste cannot reach the stains embedded deep within your enamel, leaving you dreaming of a whiter smile. If you’re looking for a reliable dental team to help you achieve your dream smile in the Brigham City, Utah, area, turn to Jenson Dental for support. 

Since 1964, the Jenson Dental team has provided the most comprehensive cosmetic dentistry services to patients across the area. Whether you want to whiten your teeth or you’re considering veneers, our team does it all. With our support, you can reach the smile of your dreams. 

If you’d like to schedule a teeth whitening appointment or have any questions for our team, don’t hesitate to contact us today for support. 

While tobacco use in the United States has been trending downward since the 1960s, use among young adults and children is on the rise again. As e-cigarettes become more easily accessible and appealing to younger adults, the use of tobacco products among individuals between the ages of 18 and 24 continues to increase. 

While newer e-cigarette products can help individuals avoid the lingering smell of smoke, these tobacco products still have an incredibly detrimental effect on your oral health. If you have used tobacco in the past or are an active smoker, keep reading to learn more about how it may be harming your oral health. 

Understanding Tobacco 

For over 12,000 years, people across the globe have consumed tobacco products. This crop was discovered by the Mesoamerican people and was brought to Europe in the late 1400s. Tobacco use reached its peak in the mid-1900s before it became less popular among adults due to its adverse health effects, including lung cancer, heart disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 

While tobacco use was once falling, it has recently become more popular, especially among teenagers, as e-cigarette devices have become more easily accessible. But, tobacco products continue to be a threat to the health of everyone who uses them. According to the World Health Organization, tobacco products are responsible for the death of 8 million people each year. 

But what about these products makes them so bad for you? Tobacco directly damages your airway and the air sacs in your lungs. This damage occurs as tobacco products expose your tissues to toxic chemicals, including tar, carbon monoxide, and at least 60 known harmful carcinogens. 

The damage caused by tobacco isn’t exclusive to your lungs and airway, though. Tobacco products can also damage your skin, lead to fertility problems, delay wound healing, and increase your risk of stroke. Even using these products once can have detrimental and long-term effects on your health. 

How Do Tobacco Products Impact Your Oral Health? 

Because tobacco products are consumed orally, your teeth, gums, and the tissue in your mouth are directly affected by your use. But how exactly does it impact your oral health? One of the first changes people notice after using tobacco products is the impact on the color of your teeth. The tar in cigarettes stains your teeth, turning them yellow or brown. 

However, the impact is much more significant than the appearance of your teeth. Individuals who use tobacco products are more likely to experience tooth decay and cavities. One additional problem smokers may face is an increased risk of tartar development. This hardened plaque is impossible to remove without dental intervention. 

Tobacco can also irritate your gums, leading to increased bleeding while brushing and flossing. Smokers are also at a higher risk of developing periodontal disease, which can result in tooth loss, tissue damage, and bone loss. In its most advanced stages, periodontal disease is irreversible, making early treatment essential. 

Finally, many people who use tobacco find themselves experiencing chronic bad breath, also known as halitosis. No matter what tobacco product you use, it has an incredibly negative effect on your oral health, making it essential that you limit or discontinue your use as soon as possible. 

How to Protect Your Teeth While Consuming Tobacco

If you are still consuming tobacco, there are a few things you must do to protect your teeth and gums from harmful ailments. The most important thing you can do to protect your teeth is brush and floss every day. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day, or more frequently if you’re experiencing halitosis, and floss at least once daily. 

One other oral hygiene step you should take is to clean your tongue when brushing. Much of the bacteria responsible for bad breath is found on your tongue, so cleaning it regularly should help you manage this problem. While brushing is a great way to keep it clean, you may want to consider investing in a tongue scraper to address larger debris. 

Finally, smokers should also remember to schedule regular dental checkups and cleanings. During these appointments, your dental team can address plaque and tartar buildup, which can irritate your gums, leading to chronic bad breath. They may also recommend more in-depth cleanings and fluoride treatments to address tooth decay.

Tips for Quitting Tobacco Use

Discontinuing the use of tobacco can be incredibly difficult, as the nicotine in tobacco products is very addictive. If you want to quit smoking, there are a few great ways to begin this process, including: 

• Use nicotine replacement products, like patches and gum.
• Attempt to limit your exposure to anxiety-inducing events.
• Keep mints or gum on hand.
• Connect with support groups, friends, and family for support.
• Go to the gym or for a run to keep your mind busy. 

Helping You Achieve a Healthier Smile in Brigham City

Whether you’re trying to achieve a healthier smile after giving up tobacco products or you’ve dealt with tooth decay your entire life, our team at Jenson Dental is here to help you boost your oral health. For generations, we’ve provided patients across Brigham City with the most reliable dental care in the city. With our training and expertise, you can trust that our team will help you reach your smile goals in no time. 

If you would like to learn more about the services we offer or are interested in scheduling an appointment to discuss your oral health goals, don’t hesitate to contact us today for support.