Peck Family Dentistry Blog

Tag: Teeth Whitening

  • My Dentist Is Trying to Force Lumineers on Me

    I am feeling really pressured by my dentist. I told him I wanted to deal with my tooth gap, but don’t want braces. I’m too old for a mouth full of metal. He keeps insisting I get Lumineers. Six of them! That’s incredibly expensive. The tooth gap is only between my two front teeth. Is that really my only solution?

    Lisa W. – Indiana

    Lisa,

    Wow! Dr. Peck does Lumineers, but just for smile makeovers. There are much less invasive and less costly solutions for something as simple as a tooth gap. First, though, let’s address braces. I certainly understand you not wanting a mouth full of metal, especially as an adult. I don’t know if you’re aware, but dental technology has improved significantly. We now have much better options available for orthodontics. Invisalign, for instance, can straighten your teeth with aligners people can’t see, even at a conversational distance. They can also do it in half the time of traditional braces.

    But, if you’ve got your heart set against any form of orthodontics you still have another option. In fact, the typical solution for a tooth gap is to use dental bonding. Bonding uses the composite resin, like what you’d get in a white filling. This will not close the gap, like orthodontics, but it will fill it in so it looks closed. You’ll need to be certain to go to a cosmetic dentist, so you’re sure they know how to match the material to your tooth. You want it to be seamless.

    While Lumineers are a massive overtreatment for what you’re trying to do, there is an exception. If there are other things about your smile you want to change, Lumineers can do anything you want. They can make your teeth longer or wider. They can change the color of your teeth. They can even change the shape. It truly can re-make the entire character of your smile.

    If you get either of the last two options, their color is permanent, so if you’re not happy with the current brightness and color of your smile, now is the time to change that. Get your teeth whitened, then your dentist can match your bonding or Lumineers to the new spectacular color of your teeth.

    Never let a dentist pressure you into a procedure, especially a cosmetic procedure. Lumineers are pricey. They can be worth it for what they’re designed to do, but using them for a simple tooth gap is an overtreatment. It sounds to me like your dentist is just try to make a quick buck at your expense.

    This blog is brought to you by Dr. Kevin Peck.

  • More affordable dentistry in Mexico

    I cannot afford some of the dental work my dentist says I’ll need. It is way more affordable if I go across the border to Mexico. I was hoping you can give me some hints on ways to make sure it is a positive experience.

    Hannah S. – Little Rock, AR

    Hannah,

    There is no way to ensure a positive experience in Mexico. I know it may seem like it is more affordable, but I want to give you some things to think about before you make a final decision.  There are some very good reasons that costs are higher in the United States.  You think about whether or not these are worth the extra cost.

    First, in the U.S. we have laws about sterilization of dental equipment and cleanliness of the office. You will find no such laws on the books in Mexico.  While there are plenty of dentists who would voluntarily keep things clean and sterile, it is not something I would like to wonder about when I’m about to get a procedure done.

    Secondly, dentists in Mexico do not have to have malpractice insurance. You might initially think that is great and just makes things more affordable for everyone all around, but ask yourslef what recourse you would have if something went wrong.

    That insurance actually helps protect you too. There is a system in place in Mexico for filing complaints through the government. However, most foreigners would find the system confusing and you’d have to know all the rules and regulations. Plus, the while their government will mediate, they will not force a dentist to correct his work or refund your money, so you’ll be left holding the bag.

    This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentist Dr. Kevin Peck.

  • Does marijuana cause tooth decay?

    I just found out my son is taking marijuana. I know it is a horrible thing for his brain and that he can get addicted to other drugs becuase of it. I’m trying to deal with all that. But, I was wondering if it affects his teeth as well? I’m trying to get everything taken care of at once.

    B.C.- Wisconsin

    B.C.,

    Your head must be spinning right now. I can’t imagine the worry you are going through. You didn’t mention how old he is. You’ll have a little more control if he is a minor. There are several things to factor in to his oral health knowing that he is smoking marijuana.

    All smoking, no matter what kind, contributes to tooth decay for several reasons. First, it hinders saliva production. Many people do not know that saliva production is an important factor in preventing tooth decay. There are minerals in our saliva that fight bacteria in our mouths. Smoking also decreases the oxygen in our bloodstream, which will lead to gum disease.

    Additionally, marijuana contributes some additional problems. Not only does marijuana lower our immune system, but the THC in marijuana interferes with the way calcium moves about it our bodies. Calcium is a key ingredient in healthy tooth structure.

    Because of the staining on the teeth, you may also be interested in looking into teeth whitening.

    This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Denitst Dr. Kevin Peck.

  • Bad Breath

    Can you tell me what causes bad breath? I know I’ve got a bad case of it, but I don’t know why. Breath mints don’t help for long.

    Name Withheld

    Breath mints don’t deal with the causes of bad breath, they just mask it. Beware of just using breath mints over and over. Many of them contain sugars that not only can contribute to bad breath, but can also quickly lead to tooth decay.

    Sometimes bad breath can be the result of acid reflux, or an infection such as strep throat. Those causes have medication that can help, but you need to get them diagnosed by a physician.

    Other times it is a matter of the types of food you eat, or even oral hygiene issues. First, I’d make sure you are practicing good oral hygiene. Do you brush and floss regularly? If not, start there. You’ll notice a real difference just from that. Even with good hygiene, your mouth is filled with bacteria designed to help break down the proteins in your mouth. As they break down, a sulfur gas is left behind in your mouth which can have a foul odor. There is a Smart Mouth rinse that can eliminate the sulfur gas from forming and prevent bad breath for about twelve hours.

    I hope this helps.

    You may also be interested in learning about Teeth Whitening.

    This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentist Dr. Kevin Peck.