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Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
 

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Thursday, July 17, 2008

The Science of a Smile

Here is some interesting science behind what makes a beautiful smile. 

There are guidelines that most dentist use to evaluate and design smiles.
 
Tooth Display:  The mouth at rest or in general conversation will display about 2-4mm of tooth.  As a patient ages the tooth display becomes less because the lip looses some of it's mobility.
 
Gum Display:  When someone smiles you should only display the gum between the teeth.  The gums above the teeth are typically not seen and if they are it is generally regarded as a gummy smile.  There are surgical procedures to correct this appearance.  Some doctors have the training to administer Botox so that the upper lip is not as hyper mobile and this loss of muscle contraction helps hide a gummy smile.
 
White and Bright:  White bright smiles are a sign of youth and beauty.  As we age our teeth naturally become duller with increasing colors of yellow, brown and grey.  Many patients will whiten their teeth with in office procedures such as Zoom and other patients try at home products such as Crest White Strips.  Both have their pros and cons but the bottom line is that whiter brighter teeth make you look younger.
 
Proportions:  Teeth have a height and width ratio.  Short, squat teeth look square.  Long narrow teeth look skinny.  The shapes of teeth can be altered with porcelain veneers.  The results can be predicted by computer modeling or a mock-up in the patients mouth or on plaster (stone) models.
 
Arch form:  Crooked teeth are difficult to clean and look bad.  There are many options such as traditional braces or Invisilign.  In any event, get your crooked teeth fixed for two main reasons: The are easier to maintain and they will make your smile look great.
 
Conclusion:  Your smile defines the initial introduction when meeting someone for the very first time.  Make a good first and lasting impression:  Smile with a bright beautiful white smile.  It is welcoming and will send a friendly warm aura.

posted by Cathy at 6:48 PM 1 comments

Friday, July 11, 2008

Oral Cancer Prevention

The only way to avoid developing oral cancer is to avoid known risk factors so that the chance of developing cancer decreases. Anything that increases a person's chance of developing cancer or any other disease is called a risk factor. Some risk factors can be avoided, but many cannot. For example, you can choose to quit using tobacco. However, you cannot choose which genes you have inherited.

Some known risk factors for oral cancer include:
  • Tobacco and Alcohol Use - Cigarette, pipe, cigar, and smokeless tobacco use is responsible for most cases of oral cancer. The risk of developing oral cancer is higher in people who use both tobacco and alcohol. It is known that stopping or avoiding tobacco use decreases the risk of oral cancer, though no studies have shown whether abstaining from alcohol decreases the risk of oral cancer.
  • Sun and UV Exposure - Sunlight and ultraviolet ray exposure may increase the risk of lip cancer, which occurs most often on the lower lip. Avoiding the sun, tanning beds, and/or using a UV-protective sunscreen, lipstick, or lip gloss on the lips may decrease the risk of developing lip cancer.
  • Genetics - A family history of cancer - and not just oral cancer - may put you at a higher risk of developing oral cancer.
  • Other Factors - Some studies suggest that being infected with certain types of the human papillomavirus (HPV) may increase the risk of oral cancer.

Another factor that may contribute to developing cancer is age. About 95 percent of all oral cancers occur in persons older than 40, and the average age at the time of diagnosis is about 60.

If you are in the Fort Lauderdale, Miami, or Boca Raton area of Florida and would like to learn more about oral cancer prevention, please contact a SmilePerfect office today.

posted by Patti at 4:06 PM 0 comments

Fort Lauderdale Cosmetic Dentistry - Smile Perfect

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