Everyone knows we only get one set of adult teeth to last us throughout our lives; but often, our teeth simply don’t look the way we might have hoped. Crooked teeth can lead to a lack of confidence during social meetings, first dates and job interviews – and eventually governs how we handle ourselves throughout the day. Those who opt for dental work, such as invisible braces or porcelain veneers, are usually looking for a more comfortable smile that will make them feel less self-conscious and more confident.

More often than not, patients will enter a dental office feeling uncomfortable and worried about their teeth. They may be wondering whether their teeth will look like they imagined or if they will look even worse than before; however, the second they look in the mirror at their straight teeth and bright smile, many patients cannot help but cry in happiness at their new smile and new beginnings.

Receiving dental work on your teeth is a life-altering change both physically and emotionally, making patients everywhere smile wider and feel happier. If you are seeking cosmetic dental work on your teeth, such as braces or veneers, call Dr. Joe Serra’s dental office today to schedule a consultation.

Our teeth generally have two layers of discoloration: one that is considered surface stain and the other that is the natural color of our teeth. Surface stain develops when we drink colored beverages, such as coffee and dark sodas; smoke cigarettes or eat chocolate. Because teeth are naturally porous, these foods and drinks easily cause stains that can be removed by teeth whitening strips and even by many whitening toothpastes and mouthwashes. After the surface stain is removed, the natural coloring of our teeth remains. If the color of your teeth after whitening is not to your liking, you may opt for teeth bleaching.

Tooth Bleaching At-Home or In-Office

Usually your cosmetic dentist will bleach your teeth at their dental office, giving you whiter teeth in a shorter amount of time. Teeth bleaching begins with the use of a concentration of hydrogen peroxide gel, carefully measured for each patient depending on the amount of discoloration. Your cosmetic dentist may use a laser light on the bleach to allow for shorter bleaching sessions while giving you the whitest teeth possible.

Before the bleaching process begins, your cosmetic dentist covers your gums and lips to protect them from the hydrogen peroxide gel. He or she will then apply the gel to your teeth many times for approximately fifteen minutes at a time, making your teeth up to eight times whiter than before.

Many times, a dentist will offer bleaching options that you can administer from the comfort of your home; either as a continuation of your in-office bleaching or as an alternative to a dental office teeth bleaching. As with an in-office bleaching, your dentist will give you a specific concentration of hydrogen peroxide gel that can be applied to your custom tooth trays. It may take up to two weeks for your at-home tooth bleaching treatments to achieve your desired shade, while in-office teeth whitening systems can take as little as an hour.

If you are self-conscious or embarrassed by your discolored teeth, contact Dr. Joe Serra at his dental office today to find out if teeth bleaching options, such as Opalescence Quick, are right for you.

Usually a dental website will display more than a few before and after pictures to give potential clients a better understanding of what they can do and how. The best way to understand what your dentist can do for you based on these pictures is to find a picture that most closely resembles the dental problem you may be experiencing, while keeping in mind that each smile is unique and your end result might look quite different from the patient in the photo.

Possibly the most important element to consider while viewing before and after photos is how natural the patients smiles look after their procedure. Ask yourself whether the patients in the photo look altered or unnatural. It is important to find a dentist that will not only take care of your cosmetic dental needs, but also give you a natural and healthy-looking smile that you can be proud of.

If you are interested in finding a cosmetic dental option that is right for you, such as dental implants or braces, contact Dr. Joe Serra at his dental office today to schedule a consultation.

The product, known as Aeroshot, allows consumers to inhale 100 milligrams of caffeine – the same amount of caffeine contained in a large cup of coffee – in a single puff. Though this product is not much different in comparison to other energy supplements on the market today; Aeroshot may actually be worse for you, because it could promote greater caffeine consumption.

Caffeine: Highly Addictive and Dangerous in Large Doses

While many of us admittedly drink coffee or tea to get us moving in the morning, relying on caffeine to get us through the day can do much more harm than good. Studies suggest that caffeine can be just as addictive as nicotine; and, if taken in large doses over long periods of time, can cause health problems in the future.

If fatigue, a lack of energy, and drowsiness have become a normal occurrence for you after a full night’s sleep, you might have an underlying condition, such as sleep apnea, or another sleep disorder that should be addressed and treated without the use of caffeine.

If you have noticed a dependency on caffeine supplements; it may be time to contact a sleep physician to determine why you are constantly feeling drowsy after a full night’s sleep. If you are positively diagnosed with sleep apnea, it is important to seek treatment sooner rather than later.

To learn more about sleep apnea treatments, contact Dr. Serra at his dental office today.

Gaining a brighter smile can work for you in two distinct ways depending on how white you want your teeth to look. Often, you might want to purchase a whitening specific toothpaste or mouth rinse to get your teeth a little cleaner. Because your teeth are porous, foods and drinks with food coloring in them, acids, or heavy sugars can stain the outside of your teeth and give them a more yellow or brown appearance. These can include various sodas, wine, coffee and chocolate. Once the whitening toothpaste or mouth rinse has been used to lift those surface stains, the true color of your teeth is often revealed.

Teeth bleaching can be used if you are not happy with the true color of your teeth. Your dentist will apply the bleach for you over a period of ten to twenty minutes to make your teeth appear much lighter than they have ever been. Keep a regular bleaching schedule for your teeth if you want to maintain your brighter looking teeth.

Possible Side-effects

Unfortunately, teeth whitening does vary depending on the person. Some people may not see much of a difference after whitening or bleaching, while others might see dramatic results. It all depends on your physiology: if your body is more sensitive to the main ingredient of the tooth bleach, hydrogen peroxide, you may experience side-effects ranging from mild irritation in the gums and sensitivity to hot and cold, or even a burning sensation in the mouth and tongue and sometimes bleeding, in which case it would be wise to discontinue bleaching your teeth.

If you are an avid teeth whitening user, it is possible that the effects of the bleach will eat away at your tooth enamel and expose the dentin underneath, creating more risks for your teeth and less of a difference in the discoloration. When it comes to teeth bleaching, it’s important that patients have realistic expectations, and some patients may find better results with veneers.

While there are risks associated teeth whitening and bleaching, your dentist will let you know whether you are at extreme risk and if there are any other whitening options available to you before proceeding with your whitening treatment. If you are uncomfortable or self-conscious about the color of your teeth, whitening and bleaching may be an option for you. Call Dr. Serra’s dental office today for more information.

Usually, decay occurs when an old filling begins to fail. The tooth decay starts to permeate under the filling, eating away at the tooth without your knowledge; as the filling protects the decay from hot and cold sensations and pressure. Eventually, the decay reaches deep inside the tooth, causing pain and requiring a root canal.

The plus side is that, while fillings are usually a metallic base and are unpleasant to look at, you get a new dental crown with your root canal. At our dental office in Detroit, we provide only porcelain dental crowns to give you a more beautiful and natural looking smile after your root canal. Porcelain crowns do not have a flat white appearance; rather, they have a transparent look that imitates natural teeth, allowing you a tooth that does not look like it has been replaced. We are also able to match the crowned tooth with your surrounding teeth so it won’t stand out.

There are good things about a root canal: your tooth pain will be gone, you will have a new tooth, and the crown will not be noticeable to others. You will not have to worry about hiding your beautiful smile, and your smile might be even better than before. We offer painless injections to ensure your visit will run smoothly and we can apply your new crown during the same visit. Come in with a compromised tooth, and leave with a fantastic smile.

If you would rather avoid having a root canal, as most of us would, it is important to stop in to our office regularly for routine check-ups to clean out any existing plaque. Using x-rays, we can determine whether you have plaque underneath your fillings and can take care of it before it becomes too severe. We can always replace failed fillings with new ones, and you can keep your original teeth. Contact Dr. Serra’s dental office to schedule an appointment today.

According to a recent perception study by Kelton of Invisalign, teeth are important features that stand out when we meet someone new.

Crooked Teeth Turned Down By Jobs and Dates

The perception study by Kelton Research explored the impact that crooked teeth can actually have on a person’s social life. Ultimately, researchers found that straight teeth leave a better lasting impression and are perceived as a sign of current or future success. This study also showed that those with straight teeth are 57 percent more likely to get a date on a dating site from their picture alone than are those with crooked teeth. Those with straighter teeth are generally more likely to be perceived as having a great personality and being more trustworthy than those with crooked teeth.

Unfortunately, we live in a society that makes snap judgments based on personal appearance. If you are uncomfortable or self-conscious about your jagged, crooked or gapped teeth and are interested in any number of cosmetic dental options such as standard braces or Invisalign, contact Dr. Serra today to find the option that is best for you.

Why it’s a Bad Idea

Typically the result of bad bite alignment, TMJ disorder can give you severe back and neck pain along with headaches, ear aches and, of course, jaw pain. The Better Sleep Pillow only provides some support for the spine in attempt to help reduce the pain; and the unique design is made more for those who sleep better on their sides with an arm over their heads. Because TMJ pain begins in the jaw and only indirectly affects the neck, back; and head; focusing on this pain is not the best way to treat TMJ, because it fails to address the root cause of the problem.

If you are suffering from jaw pain, discomfort in your ears, neck, or back; or are having trouble chewing and talking because of severe pain, contact Dr. Serra for TMJ treatment options. Forget gimmicks like the so-called Better Sleep Pillow and let Dr. Serra provide you with a permanent answer to your TMJ pain.

With Vickie’s story in mind, it’s obvious that TMJ should not be ignored or neglected. Not only does TMJ cause aches and pains that never go away; it can cause the jaw to lock up, which could be fatal in rare circumstances. Without proper TMJ treatment to correct the bite and properly realign and balance the jaw, the effects will continue.

Constant facial pain, jaw pain, neck pain and migraine-like headaches are all symptoms associated with TMJ. If you suffer from any of these problems, your jaw joint could be to blame. Don’t let the painful symptoms continue. Instead, get the TMJ treatment you need.

For more information about TMJ treatment, call or email Dr. Serra’s office today. With the right treatment, TMJ-related symptoms will be a problem of the past and your life will change for the good!

Dried licorice root is very commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine as a flavoring and as an ingredient used to enhance the potency of other ingredients in certain medications. It has also been used to treat digestive and respiratory health problems. This latest study has also found that dried licorice root may be helpful in oral and dental care.

Licoricdin and licorisoflavan A are two ingredients in dried licorice root that are said to effectively kill two of the main bacterias known to cause tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. In fact, eating dried licorice root may help kill almost 80 percent of the harmful bacteria in the mouth.

While dried licorice root may promote better dental hygiene; it is definitely not a replacement for a trip to the dentist’s office. Patients should always consult with a qualified dentist when oral and dental health problems occur. Routine visits to the dentist along with proper oral care are a patient’s best arsenal against problems with the mouth and teeth.

To schedule routine appointments with Dr. Serra, patients can simply call or email us today to get an attractive, healthy smile.