Dr. Walsh-Cole's Cosmetic Dentistry Blog

Encinitas & Coastal North County San Diego

Friday, April 26, 2013

Teeth Discoloration: Two Types of Teeth Stains

When considering your teeth whitening options, it’s important to assess the source of your discolored teeth.

Most patients with discolored teeth can achieve a brighter, more appealing smile with a professional teeth whitening treatment, such as Zoom! teeth whitening. Encinitas dentist Dr. Mary Walsh-Cole can help you determine if you’ll benefit from teeth whitening.

In order to decide if teeth whitening is right for you and which teeth whitening option will produce the best results, it’s key to know if your teeth stains are intrinsic or extrinsic. Intrinsic stains are deep stains while extrinsic stains affect only the surface of your teeth.

Extrinsic stains are the most common form of teeth stains, and they can be caused by a number of factors, from plaque accumulation to smoking to the regular consumption of dark-colored beverages such as coffee and red wine.

Intrinsic stains are deeper stains that lie below the surface enamel of teeth. Intrinsic stains may be the result of certain medications (especially those that contained tetracycline), dental trauma that resulted in cracks or fractures, infection and the natural aging process.

Patients with severe intrinsic stains may not be ideal candidates for teeth whitening. However, those with deeply stained teeth can also restore a youthful, healthy looking smile with porcelain veneers.

If you would like to learn more about your teeth whitening options, please contact Dr. Mary A. Walsh-Cole DMD. We welcome patients from the Encinitas, Carlsbad and San Diego, California, areas.

posted by Megan P at 2:16 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Why do Teeth Stain?

A number of factors can contribute to discolored teeth, from the natural aging process to your diet to lifestyle choices such as smoking.

If you have stained teeth and you’re seeking to restore a vibrant, youthful smile, a professional teeth whitening treatment with Encinitas dentist Dr. Mary Walsh-Cole may be right for you. When conducted by an experienced dentist, a single in-office teeth whitening treatment can brighten your smile several shades.

No matter how stringently you adhere to a good dental hygiene routine, your teeth will eventually show signs of discoloration. Teeth naturally discolor with age as the enamel wears away, and minor chips or cracks can progressively cause darkened teeth with the effects of decay.

Certain dietary factors can also contribute to premature teeth discoloration. A diet that includes the regular consumption of starchy, sugary or highly acidic foods and drinks can contribute to discolored teeth as well as premature decay. Likewise, dark-colored foods and beverages such as coffee, red wine and tea can stain your teeth when consumed regularly.

One of the harshest contributors to stained teeth—and to your overall health—is cigarettes. Other, but more rare, external factors that can stain teeth include overexposure to fluoride and the use of medication containing tetracycline.

Most patients with mildly to moderately discolored teeth can achieve noticeably brighter smiles with a professional teeth whitening treatment, such as Zoom! teeth whitening. Encinitas dentist Dr. Walsh-Cole can help you determine if you’ll benefit from teeth whitening, as well as which teeth whitening treatment is best suited to your unique needs.

If you would like to learn more about how teeth whitening can rejuvenate your smile, please contact Dr. Mary A. Walsh-Cole DMD. We welcome patients from the Encinitas, Carlsbad and San Diego, California, areas.

posted by Megan P at 8:18 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Bad Veneers and How to Correct Them

Bad veneers can be the result of an improperly prepared tooth or improper bonding of the veneer to the tooth. If your tooth has been damaged in the process, porcelain crowns may be the solution to restoring your smile.

Veneers

Porcelain veneers are thin shells that cover the front of your tooth. They are used to fill small gaps or cover cracks and discoloration on your natural tooth. If applied correctly, they can last for years and make a dramatic difference in your smile.

If you've received poorly applied veneers, they can be removed and corrected. The condition of the underlying tooth can be fully assessed once the veneers are removed.

Porcelain Crowns

Porcelain crowns are used to cover and strengthen the whole tooth. If a lot of damage was done by the bad veneer application, crowns may be recommended. Like veneers, crowns can look and feel like your natural teeth and restore your smile.

A consultation with Dr. Walsh-Cole is the best way to assess your current veneers. After your examination, she will be able to recommend the best course of action for you.

If you feel like you have bad veneers and are unhappy with your smile, please contact Mary A. Walsh-Cole, DMD, to schedule a consultation at her Encinitas office.

posted by Megan P at 8:35 AM 0 comments

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Correcting Bad Dental Work

If you've been the victim of bad dental work, visiting your local cosmetic dentist Dr. Mary A. Walsh-Cole will help you get your smile back. At our Encinitas office, we are dedicated to providing you high quality dental care and ensuring that you leave our offices feeling comfortable with the plan for your smile makeover.

Whether you have had fillings that fail, unsightly metal amalgam fillings, or poorly fitting crowns or veneers, when you come to our office, we will walk you through the options for repair. If you've had significant damage from untreated dental issues, we can discuss full mouth reconstruction.

Options from Your Cosmetic Dentist

A practicing cosmetic dentist since 1984, Dr. Walsh-Cole will suggest a treatment plan to restore your smile that may include:

•    Tooth-colored, metal free fillings
•    Porcelain crowns
•    Porcelain veneers

The health and appearance of your smile is important to you and it's important to us. Don't let an experience with bad dental work scare you away from the benefits of cosmetic dentistry.

If you need bad dental work corrected, please contact Mary A. Walsh-Cole, DMD, to schedule a consultation with your Encinitas cosmetic dentist.

posted by Megan P at 8:39 AM 0 comments

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Aging and Effects on Teeth

Getting older doesn't mean that your smile has to tarnish. Dr. Mary Walsh-Cole believes that aging patients can benefit from the advice and treatment of a good cosmetic dentist.

Effects of Aging on Your Teeth

As you age, it's undeniable that your smile ages too. You may see the effects of aging in some of these ways:
• Dingy or yellowing teeth. This can be caused by years of ingesting dark liquids, smoking, or just the natural wearing down of your enamel.

• Worn or chipped teeth. After years of use, your teeth will start to show some wear and tear.

• Receding gum line. Gum disease can destroy gum tissue and cause the gums to recede.

Restoration of Your Smile by a Cosmetic Dentist

Dr. Walsh-Cole is committed to helping you achieve your healthiest smile. These are just a few of the ways we can restore your smile.

• Teeth whitening can brighten your smile back to its original vibrancy.

• Porcelain veneers are thin porcelain shells bonded to your teeth to even out gaps, fill chips and give your teeth's surface the polished surface you'll want to show off.

• Dental bonding is used to cover imperfections in your teeth by sculpting tooth-colored composite resin to your tooth.

To schedule a consultation with your Encinitas cosmetic dentist, please contact Mary A. Walsh-Cole, DMD.

posted by Megan P at 8:37 AM 0 comments

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Dental Myths

Patients often come to Dr. Mary Walsh-Cole's cosmetic dentistry practice confused by dental myths that persist despite good science to the contrary.

Eating more sugar leads to more cavities

This one may be surprising, but it's actually not the amount of sugar you eat, but how long the sugar stays in contact with your teeth. Cavities are caused by bacteria in your mouth that activate to make acid in the presence of sugar. So the longer sugar stays in your mouth, the worse off you are.

Take the advice of cosmetic dentist, Dr. Walsh-Cole, and brush your teeth after meals. Good dental hygiene is always the key to prevention. Also limit your sugar intake by not sipping on sugary drinks throughout the day or sucking on hard candies.

Poor oral health only affects your mouth

Studies have linked gum disease to low birth weight and premature births. Cardiovascular disease may be associated with oral bacteria. Osteoporosis may be linked to periodontal bone loss and tooth loss. Other conditions may be connected to your oral health. The bottom line is your oral health is as important as the rest of your health.

If you have questions about myths like these, come see us to talk about your concerns. To schedule an appointment with your Encinitas cosmetic dentist, please contact Mary A. Walsh-Cole, DMD.

posted by Megan P at 8:09 AM 0 comments

Monday, October 22, 2012

Preventive Dentistry

The practice of preventive dentistry emphasizes the maintenance of a good oral health routine to prevent the onset of dental problems, and diagnose and treat potential issues before they become serious.

An important component of preventive dentistry is visiting San Diego dentist Dr. Mary Walsh-Cole at least twice every year for thorough dental exams and professional teeth cleanings. These check-ups allow Dr. Walsh-Cole to address potential problems before they cause damage.

Perhaps the most important aspect of preventive dentistry is your at-home dental hygiene routine. A good personal dental hygiene regimen includes brushing at least twice every day with a soft-bristled toothbrush, followed by flossing at least once a day.

Flossing helps you remove food particles that can linger in crevices not reached by brushing. After flossing, you may choose to rinse with an anticavity or antiseptic mouthwash, which can reduce additional bacteria that contribute to plaque buildup and bad breath.

Your dental health has a significant impact on your systemic health. Dental issues such as periodontal disease can also increase your risk for severe medical problems like heart disease.

If you would like to learn more about preventive dental care or schedule your check-up, please contact Dr. Mary Walsh-Cole. We welcome patients from the San Diego, Encinitas and Carlsbad, California, areas.

posted by Megan P at 9:04 AM 0 comments

Mary A. Walsh-Cole, DMD

285 N. El Camino Real, Suite 216
Encinitas, CA 92024
760.753.1227