Your Dream Smile is Waiting

March 16, 2022

Summer is just around the corner, the season of weddings, festivals, vacations, and family gatherings! Get ready for all your exciting events by revamping your smile. Cosmetic dentistry can help you reach all your smile goals. 


Teeth Whitening: One of the easiest ways to up your smile game is to brighten your smile with teeth whitening treatments. Teeth aren’t naturally stark white. The enamel that coats the teeth is a natural shade of white, but the dentin under the enamel has a slight yellow hue. It is common for this layer of dentin to show through the enamel, especially for individuals who have a thinner layer of enamel. Therefore, even if you are in great oral health, your teeth may still benefit from whitening treatments. 


Discolored teeth can also be a result of consuming certain foods and beverages regularly or other daily habits, such as smoking cigarettes. Having a cup of coffee every once in a while, won’t significantly discolor your smile. However, if you are a daily coffee drinker, your enamel is likely stained by your favorite espresso. Whitening treatments can lift these stains, leaving a dazzling, bright smile. 


Common Teeth-Staining Culprits
  • Coffee 
  • Tea
  • Dark Sodas
  • Balsamic Vinegar
  • Red Wine 
  • Smoking
  • Chewing Tobacco
  • Certain Medications


The safest and most effective ways to achieve a stunning white smile are whitening treatments in a dental office or professional take-home whitening kits. Whitening treatments performed by a dentist can brighten a smile in less than an hour, while take-home kits give patients the freedom to whiten their smile on their own time with custom whitening trays. 


Bonding: Even a small chip on one tooth can make a huge difference in the appearance of your smile. Luckily, chipped and broken teeth can be easily covered up with tooth bonding. Tooth bonding can also fill small gaps and even lengthen a tooth that is shorter than the rest. 


A composite resin is attached to your natural tooth structure. The bond will match the color of your teeth, making it nearly impossible to see where your natural tooth ends and the bond begins. 


Fixing chips and cracks is important for more than just cosmetic reasons. Correcting the damage helps patients chew correctly and prevents further damage. This procedure is quick, requires zero recovery time, and typically does not require any anesthetic. It is important to note that if you wish to have your teeth whitened in the future, the composite resin will not respond to whitening treatments. It will not harm the bond, but you may have to have it replaced to match the rest of your smile. 


Veneers: Veneers provide the ultimate smile transformation. They can cover chips, gaps, misshapen teeth, and can even make a crooked tooth appear straighter. Thin porcelain or composite resin coverings are placed over the front of the teeth, creating a flawless, natural-looking smile that can last for over a decade. If you are looking for a complete smile makeover, veneers may be the perfect option for you. 


Orthodontics: A straight smile isn’t just for kids! Orthodontic treatment can benefit people of all ages. On average it only takes 16-18 months to correct misaligned teeth and jaws through orthodontic treatment. If you are concerned about flashing a metal smile, we have some good news for you! Clear aligners and ceramic braces can correct essentially the same alignment issues as braces and allow patients to straighten their smiles practically invisibly. 


Whether you want a straighter smile, brighter teeth, or a complete smile makeover, cosmetic dentistry can help you achieve a flawless smile. Schedule a consultation today to learn how to make your dream smile a reality. 

Aligners in 2026: Why This Is a Great Year to Straighten Your Smile

By Sondra Brady • January 30, 2026
A new year brings fresh opportunities — new goals, new routines, and for many adults, a renewed focus on confidence and self-care. If you’ve ever thought about straightening your teeth, 2026 may be the perfect time to finally make that transformation happen. Clear aligners have become one of the most popular treatment options for adults because they fit naturally into busy lives, offering comfort, flexibility, and discreet results. Whether you’ve been thinking about orthodontics for years or you’re just beginning to explore your options, here’s why 2026 is shaping up to be an ideal year to start your smile-straightening journey.

Why You Should Replace Your Toothbrush in January

By Sondra Brady • January 21, 2026
As we step into a new year, many people make resolutions to improve their health and daily routines. One simple change that can make a big impact on your oral health? Starting January with a fresh toothbrush. It’s an easy habit to remember — and one that sets your smile up for success all year long. 

Stress, Clenching, and Grinding: Why Your Teeth Need Attention After the Holidays

By Sondra Brady • January 16, 2026
The holiday season is filled with celebration, fun, and family time — but it can also bring its fair share of stress. Between travel, hosting, gift planning, and a packed schedule, it’s no surprise that many people unknowingly carry tension into the new year. And one of the first places that tension shows up? Your jaw and your teeth. If you’ve recently noticed jaw soreness, morning headaches, tight facial muscles, or tooth sensitivity, you may be experiencing the after-effects of clenching or grinding — also known as bruxism. The weeks following the holidays are one of the most common times patients begin to feel these symptoms, making January a critical month for paying attention to your oral health.

Is This the Year You Finally Transform Your Smile? Cosmetic Dentistry Options Explained

By Sondra Brady • January 8, 2026
With a new year comes new goals — and for many people, this includes improving their smile. Cosmetic dentistry isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about confidence, comfort, and investing in your long-term oral health. If you’ve spent years wishing your teeth were whiter, straighter, smoother, or more symmetrical, this may be the perfect year to make that change. 

New Year, New Smile Resolutions: A Guide to Setting Realistic Oral Health Goals

By Sondra Brady • January 3, 2026
January is a time for fresh starts, new routines, and positive change. While many people focus on fitness or nutrition, one of the easiest — and most impactful — resolutions you can make is taking better care of your smile. The best part? You don’t need major lifestyle changes to see a difference. A few simple, realistic habits can dramatically improve your oral health throughout the year. If you’re ready for a healthier, brighter smile in 2026, here’s how to set achievable oral health goals you can actually stick to.

Protecting Your Smile During Holiday Travel: Oral Care Tips for Trips Near and Far

By Sondra Brady • December 23, 2025
December is one of the busiest travel months of the year. Whether you’re flying across the country, taking a cozy road trip, or simply bouncing between family gatherings, travel can easily disrupt your daily routines—including your oral care habits. Between irregular schedules, sugary snacks, dry airplane air, and limited access to your normal bathroom setup, your smile can take a beating without you even realizing it. Here’s how to keep your teeth healthy, clean, and comfortable no matter where your holiday adventures take you.

Use It Before You Lose It: Why End-of-Year Dental Visits Matter

By Sondra Brady • December 17, 2025
As the year comes to a close, most people start thinking about holiday plans, finishing last-minute errands, and preparing for the new year ahead. But there’s one important to-do that often gets forgotten — using your dental insurance benefits before they expire. If you haven’t scheduled your dental visit yet, now is the perfect time to make it happen. Most insurance plans reset on January 1st, and any unused benefits disappear for good. Here’s why it’s so important to take advantage of them before the year ends.

Enjoy the Holidays Without Harming Your Smile — A Guide to Healthy Holiday Eating

By Sondra Brady • December 11, 2025
The holiday season is full of festive meals, sweet treats, and cheerful gatherings — but it’s also a time when your teeth face more sugar, more snacking, and more wear and tear than usual.  The good news? You can enjoy every cookie, every party, and every cup of hot cocoa without harming your smile. With a few simple choices, you can keep your teeth healthy all season long.

How Holiday Stress Impacts Your Oral Health (and How to Manage It)

December 5, 2025
The holiday season is often described as the most wonderful time of the year—but between shopping, traveling, hosting, and juggling busy schedules, it can also be one of the most stressful. While many people know how stress affects the body, fewer realize it can have a major impact on oral health too. At a time when cookies, cocktails, late nights, and extra to-do lists are the norm, taking care of your smile becomes more important than ever. Here’s how holiday stress may be affecting your teeth—and simple ways to protect them.

Gum Disease Awareness Month

By Sondra Brady • January 12, 2023
February is Gum Disease Awareness Month. Gum disease is an infection of the gums that is typically caused by poor oral hygiene. Although this condition can potentially cause tooth loss, the early stages are often painless. Therefore, individuals can live with gum disease for years without noticing any symptoms. Attending annual exams gives your dental team an opportunity to catch gum disease as early as possible and help stop its progression. Symptoms of Gum Disease: Bleeding gums Red gums Receding gums Swollen gums Bad breath Foul taste in mouth Loose teeth Changes to bite alignment Change in partial denture fit Gingivitis Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease and the simplest to treat. Patients with gingivitis may have red, swollen gum that bleeds easily. However, many gingivitis patients are unaware of their condition until receiving a formal diagnosis. This stage of gum disease is often reversible with proper care. Treatment for gingivitis often includes professional hygiene cleanings, prescription mouthwash or toothpaste, and excellent daily oral hygiene. Periodontitis Periodontitis is an advanced stage of gum disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, periodontitis affects 47% of US adults over age 30. If left untreated, this condition can cause tooth and bone loss. Gum disease is known for its slow progression, but rapid periods of advancement can occur. Professional dental hygiene cleanings, medications, and surgery are effective treatment methods for periodontitis patients. It is also essential for patients with periodontitis to commit to a diligent oral hygiene routine to manage their condition. Risk Factors for Gum Disease: Tobacco use Diabetes Poor oral hygiene Pregnancy Genetics Certain medications Although there is no conclusive link between periodontal disease and systemic diseases, research has collected data to support that gum disease may be associated with certain health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, respiratory disease, and stroke. Prevention Exceptional at-home oral hygiene and regular preventative dental care are the most effective methods to prevent gum disease. Your daily oral hygiene routine should include brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes, cleaning the tongue twice a day with a brush or tongue scraper, and flossing daily. In addition, ensure you receive a professional dental cleaning twice a year and at least one dental exam annually. If we detect any signs of gum disease at your preventive visits, we will design a treatment plan to stop the progression and avoid chronic side effects.