by West Coast Dental

It’s springtime, which means that it is graduation season for millions of high school and college students as they wrap up an important part of their lives. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that nearly 4 million students are expected to graduate from high school alone—and that doesn’t include the college graduates.

After putting in years of hard work, most graduates will be in plenty of pictures taken to commemorate the occasion. It’s a great time to learn how to smile better. After all, a smile is a mood booster, making you as well as others around you feel happier. According to science, smiles are actually contagious!

Here are some things to keep in mind when figuring out how to smile better for the camera:

• Skip the “say cheese.” Expert photographers believe the popular phrase makes for an unnatural-looking smile.
• Stretch your neck forward and lower your chin a bit. This can show off your face, neck, and smile.
• Relax your face. Be candid rather than frozen.
• Think about something happy. It can be tough to smile on cue, so think of something funny so your smile looks more natural.
• Practice in the mirror. This can help you decide on what kind of expression you like best.

Don’t take a chance on looking back at your smile in these photographs, seeing only flaws. There is still time to improve the look of your smile before you start grinning for the camera.

Teeth Whitening To Spruce Up Your Smile

If you’ve ever tried over-the-counter whitening kits or strips, you have probably been underwhelmed with the results. Professional teeth whitening is one of the most affordable and effective ways to brighten your smile. Professional teeth whitening through your dentist will give you much better results—and they can last for months with proper oral care.

At West Coast Dental, we offer both in-office and at-home treatment. Our in-office treatment uses a specially formulated gel with dental lights that can visibly whiten your smile in just about an hour.

Our at-home treatment is just as effective, although it will take a bit longer to see results. With our custom trays, the whitening gel will cover the fronts of your teeth, making the process more effective. Wearing the trays for about an hour a day for a week or so will provide you with the results you have been hoping for. Use the whitening gel and custom trays whenever you need a touch-up.

The Professional Tooth Whitening Process

Professional teeth whitening treatment is a pretty straightforward process. The main difference between professional teeth whitening and over-the-counter whitening is in the powerful whitening gel and the custom-made whitening trays that you cannot get from the local pharmacy or department store. The professional system consists of a hydrogen peroxide whitening gel that is strong enough to break apart the stains that settled onto your teeth over the years.

Pain or Discomfort and Professional Teeth Whitening

Many people who have tried over-the-counter whitening kits complain about the tooth sensitivity they feel after using them. The main reason for this is that people often use the kits incorrectly. When they opt for teeth whitening under the guidance of a dental professional, our patients report very little discomfort or teeth sensitivity.

We will provide you with specific instructions with our take-home kit so you can enjoy a comfortable experience. When you are in our office undergoing teeth whitening treatment, you’ll find that the process is virtually pain-free. Because we protect your lips and gums before the procedure, there is little chance of sensitivity afterward.

A Healthy Smile Is a Beautiful Smile

You can’t have a beautiful smile without taking good care of your oral health, and this includes proper home care as well as routine visits to the dentist. The American Dental Association recommends the following tips to help your smile be the best it can be—now and in the future:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day, in the morning and in the evening. Use a fluoride toothpaste to keep teeth strong and a soft toothbrush to protect tender gum tissue. Fluoride is a mineral that will help prevent demineralization of the teeth and tooth decay.
• Floss at least once a day, preferably before bedtime, making sure to use new floss each time. Floss up into your gum line between all of your teeth, scraping the sides of your teeth to help remove plaque.
• Rinse with a fluoridated mouthwash to help keep teeth strong and to kill decay-causing bacteria that will produce plaque.
• Visit your dentist regularly for routine dental cleanings, comprehensive exams, and oral cancer screenings. Follow your dentist’s advice as far as frequency of dental x-rays.
• Eat a healthy diet that is low in sugar. Sugar leads to tooth decay.

West Coast Dental’s Cosmetic Dentistry Services

If your smile needs more dramatic improvement, you might be a good candidate for cosmetic dentistry. We offer a wide range of cosmetic dentistry procedures that can boost the look of your smile.

Crowns

Dental crowns restore the strength, function, and appearance of a broken or damaged tooth. A dental crown can also mask a tooth that is oddly shaped or discolored.

Composite Fillings

This type of filling, which is free of metal, bonds directly onto your existing tooth structure. Because they are made to match the color of your natural tooth, they blend in seamlessly. The composite material is ideal for fixing teeth that are decayed, chipped, or cracked.

Dental Implants

Replacing missing teeth is about more than just the esthetics of your smile. Having one or more missing teeth can impact your ability to chew and speak. Not treating a missing tooth can lead to additional tooth loss. Dental implants, which are placed directly into the jawbone, prevent the jawbone from deteriorating. They also keep teeth from shifting in your mouth.

Porcelain Veneers

If you have an uneven smile but have no desire to undergo the hassle of orthodontics, porcelain veneers provide a beautiful, permanent solution to masking flaws. These thin shells of ceramic attach to the fronts of your teeth, covering up issues such as cracked or chipped teeth, teeth that are oddly spaced, or a stained tooth that is resistant to whitening. Veneers are easy to care for and last for many years of stunning smiles.

Boosting Your Smile At West Coast Dental

If you’re looking to boost your smile in graduation photos, use our smiling tips and dental care services. A beautiful smile is only one stop away, so stop in today for an appointment by calling 888-329-8111.

We offer various locations, whether you’re searching for a dentist in Rancho Cucamonga, Paramount, Arcadia, North Hills, Buena Park or dentists in Lancaster CA, our friendly staff is always here to help.

Sources:

American Dental Association (ADA) – Oral Health Home Care

Crest – What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Listerine – How Teeth Whitening Products Work

Colgate – How to Brush Your Teeth Properly