Many times our teeth take on a yellow appearance and it can become unsightly. For many people this yellowing will not only affect their smiles it affects their self esteem. Have you ever noticed someone who wants to smile but doesn’t?

Our teeth yellow for many different reasons many times we don’t realize it right away. Coffee and tea drinking will stain the teeth. Tobacco will do the same thing. And many times the additives in the food we eat will do it and we are not aware of it.

Over time it will become worse and then it becomes really noticeable and we let it affect our smiles. But it doesn’t have to control us and we do not have to give up a lot of our important time.

Bedford Dental Group uses the ZOOM! System. One treatment takes about an hour and then we are free to go. The ZOOM! uses a special lamp that works with the peroxide in the gel and makes it work faster than in traditional treatments. ZOOM! Only works on our natural teeth and does not harm false or capped teeth.

This system is proven the fastest way to get your white bright smile back. The cosmetic dentists at Bedford Dental Group have extensive training and experience with the ZOOM! teeth whitening system so patients get the best results possible.

All forms of tobacco use are dangerous for your oral health. This includes smoking cigarettes, chewing tobacco, snus packets, and cigars. Quitting these bad habits is very important and you should not let them control your life. They put your health in danger and can lead to numerous health problems including cancer of the mouth or lungs, gingivitis, heart attack, and other serious complications and diseases. You can also save a lot of money by quitting these habits.

Nicotine and the other toxins found in these products can lead to several health defects such as oral cancer, lung cancer, periodontal disease (which is a leading cause of tooth sensitivity and tooth loss), and a slower healing process after tooth extractions or oral surgery. Being a tobacco user can also make you a poor candidate for certain dental treatments like implants or porcelain veneers. This is because smoking can make your teeth too weak to withstand certain procedures.

Less severe effects of tobacco use include bad breath, stained teeth and tongue, and a loss of taste and/or smell. Smokeless tobacco products have numerous negative effects on your health just as smoking products do. Researchers have found at least 28 cancer-causing chemicals in smokeless tobacco products. Your mouth and lungs aren’t the only areas susceptible to cancer; your voice box, esophagus, colon, and bladder are also at risk because of the toxins that are carried to these parts of your body through your blood.

Quitting is very important for your short term and long term health. The American Dental Association recommends these tips to help quit smoking:

– Set a date to quit and stick to it. Choose a “low stress” time to quit
– Enlist the support of your family, friends and co-workers.
– Ask your dentist or physician about nicotine replacement therapy for use in cessation attempts. Using these medicines can double your chances of quitting for good.
– Remove tobacco and tobacco paraphernalia from your home, office and car.
– Seek tobacco-free environments to curve your temptations.
– Exercise. It may make you feel better about yourself and your decision to quit smoking.
– When you crave a tobacco—exercise the 4 D’s:
**Delay—craving will pass in 5–10 minutes
**Drink water—it will help to wash the toxins from your body
**Do something else—distract yourself by being active.
**Deep breathing—deep inhalations and exhalations are relaxing.
– Anticipate problems and have a realistic plan to deal with challenges.
– Call 1-800-QUITNOW or go to www.smokefree.gov

More than 30,000 people learn they have oral cancer every year in the United States.  Oral cancer can affect your mouth, lips, or back of the mouth and throat.  The people who are most at risk for oral cancer include those who smoke or chew tobacco, drink alcohol, have more exposure to the sun, or who have a history of head and neck cancer. By stopping these activities, you can lower your risk of getting oral cancer.

The use of tobacco accounts for the most cases of oral cancer. This includes cigarettes, cigars, pipes, snuff, and chewing tobacco. The use of any other tobacco product can still increase your risk of oral cancer. Your risk is even higher if you have been smoking for a longer period of time, especially if you also consume alcohol.

Alcohol drinkers have a higher chance of getting oral cancer over those who do not drink. Alcohol doesn’t just affect your liver, even your mouth is at a greater risk when you drink. The amount of alcohol you drink also affects these chances.  By smoking and drinking, your chance of oral cancer increases by 15%. This is because of the dehydration factors that alcohol causes. The cell walls of your mouth get dry and enhance the ability of tobacco carcinogens to enter your mouth tissues.

The inside of your mouth isn’t the only oral area at risk for cancer. Your lips should not be ignored when you are out in the sun. Ultra violet rays not only damage your skin but can negatively affect your lips and increase the chances of lip cancer. Your lips are still made out of skin on the outside but are thinner than the rest of the skin on your face. This should be more of a reason to use lip sunscreen or protective SPF lip balm when you go outside.

Oral cancer can be detected early by your dentist. Routine check-ups will ensure that anything you have will be caught early and treated. If you have a sore in your mouth that doesn’t go away after 14 days, get it checked out by one of our dentists.