Act fast
The sooner you get to stains, the less likely they are to stick. “The tannins and polyphenols in foods such as coffee, tea, marinara sauce and red wine adhere to the surface of your tooth in under an hour,” cautions Jonathan Levine, D.D.S., founder of GoSmile, a dental-products company in New York City. Combined with plaque, which can trap dark pigments and harden into tartar in 8 to 24 hours, stains will become increasingly tougher to tackle over time, so break out the toothbrush as soon as possible after eating culprit foods.

Chew on this
No brush? No biggie. In a pinch, any gum that’s sugar-free (an absolute must for dodging tooth decay) can help keep your pearly whites gleaming. “Both whitening and regular gums work on the same principle—saliva flows over your teeth, flushing away stains,” says Lana Rozenberg, D.D.S., founder of the Dental Day Spa in New York City. Even rinsing with a swig of water or chomping on some crudités does the trick; heavy chewing generates saliva. But make sure you stick with non-sugary options. Sorry, trick-or-treaters, that means caramel chews and nougats don’t count.

Make fluoride your friend
Don’t count on a whitening toothpaste alone to safeguard your smile; it doesn’t have a high enough concentration of peroxide or stay in contact with teeth long enough, according to Debra Glassman, D.D.S., a cosmetic dentist in New York City. Abrasive ingredients like silica or baking soda in whitening pastes gently polish away surface stains caused by foods, but a whitening toothpaste that also contains fluoride is your best bet; it helps strengthen the tooth’s enamel, which is more porous after bleaching. This will also soothe sensitivity and prevent stains and plaque from ruining your smile, Dr. Glassman says.

Brush up on brushing
While most of us probably abide by the twice-a-day mandate, a cursory 30-second cleaning isn’t really cutting it to rid teeth of plaque or bacteria that stain enamel. You actually need to brush for a full two minutes—and cover the entire terrain. “Think of your mouth as divided into quadrants,” Dr. Levine suggests. Then brush each one (upper right, lower right, upper left, lower left) for approximately 30 seconds. But be careful not to overdo it: Scrubbing teeth too vigorously and for too long, especially if you use a hard-bristled brush, can wear away the enamel. Instead, opt for a soft-bristled brush (replace it every three or four months), and keep an eye on the clock. You’ll be able to give all your teeth equal attention, so choppers stay spotless. Now, if only keeping the kitchen clean were this easy.

 In the simplest sense, the hope would be that every dentist would be a cosmetic dentist.  After all, the ultimate goal in dentistry is to make teeth look and function like teeth.  The reality is however, that some dentists have had more training than others focusing on those criteria related to the health, function and appearance of the smile.  As with all professions, the journey to become proficient in one’s field requires a lifetime of learning.  In dentistry this learning continues from the day the dentist begins his or her practice until the day they retire.  Materials, procedures and knowledge evolve everyday, and it is the responsibility of the dentist as an advocate for the dental health of their patient’s to separate the hype from reality and seek those advances that will improve the predictability, durability and the absolute best esthetics possible. 

 The United States is undisputedly the leader in dental esthetics.  Dentists have the opportunity from all over the world to seek post-graduate education related to esthetics at centers that offer lecture and hands-on programs from coast to coast.  Those blue chip, founding continuing education centers that focus on a comprehensive vision of esthetics/function without the influence of hype and marketing include the Dawson Academy, the Kois Center, the Pankey Institute and the Spears Education Center.  Each center may present slightly differing concepts related to philosophy and techniques, but they represent the respected mainstream of literature-based knowledge for the practice of quality care today.  There are many other centers that offer advanced dental education as well related to dental esthetics.

 Currently, dental esthetics is not a specialty.  Any dentist in practicing in the US can perform these types of procedures.  However, there are credentials that are awarded on a peer review basis that designate those that meet a level of excellence that is recognized as the gold standard in dental esthetics.  These credentials or accreditation are measured by the American Board of Cosmetic Dentistry (ABCD) through the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), which is the largest academy related to dental esthetics in the world.  These credentials, Accreditation and Fellowship, are simply a measurement of the dentist’s ability to create an excellent result through their clinical skill and knowledge.  The actual accumulation and training of this subset of skills may have been learned from a variety of sources.  Because of this anonymous and open examination process, the credential is not available for purchase or award simply because someone has attended a program.  It must be earned.  The achievement typically takes years to accomplish and requires written examinations, clinical documentation of actual cases and oral exams.  In the level of Fellowship, it represents a lifetime body of work demonstrating the skills related to esthetic care.  Currently there are less than 350 dentists and laboratory technicians that are Accredited by the AACD, and only 53 that have been awarded it’s highest honor: Fellowship.  Any dentist that is licensed certainly has the potential to provide an excellent result, with or without the credentials.  Credentialing only provides an irrefutable measurement by other dentists and lab technicians that are recognized experts in the field of cosmetic dentistry, who endorse those that avail themselves to this evaluation to confirm that candidates are who they say they are: qualified to provide excellence in cosmetic dental care.

 In providing restorative esthetic dental care, one of the team members that the dentist will rely on heavily is the laboratory technician when creating restorations like veneers or crowns.  This same credentialing process is available for the lab technicians.  Information related to locating a credentialed dentist or lab technician can be found at http://www.aacd.com/index.php?module=aacd&cmd=memberreferral.  The synergy of the team of the restorative dentist and the ceramist/lab technician is the key element in creating a predictable and beautiful result. 

 Our goal is obviously to have the smile you desire the first time it is done.  Improper care can result in:

• Bulky unnatural appearing restorations.  In a social setting, the desire is to have others observe your smile as natural and beautiful, and not be able to perceive that any dentistry was completed.  Bulky restorations can also result in tissue (gums) that bleed and are infected.
• Restorations that break or fall off.
• Restorations that are in the wrong position or are too big that affect speech or give the appearance of “bucked teeth”.
• Restorations that are monochromatic (one shade) that don’t reflect what we would normally see in nature.

Proper care can involve a significant investment.  Veneers or crowns delivered by a qualified provider can range from $1500 – 2500/ tooth depending upon the economic conditions of an area and the experience of the restorative dentist.  Finding the right dentist is the beginning of a long-term relationship to help insure the health of your smile.  Cost and insurance coverage can often be a limiting concern, but always keep in mind that having something done twice, because it didn’t meet expectations the first time is always far more expensive, often yielding a compromised result.  Some practices tout themselves as a destination practice for cosmetic dental care.  These are practices that offer cosmetic treatment without providing maintenance and recurring care with periodic check ups and visits with the “in house hygienist” after treatment is completed.  They provide the restorative care and you return to your “regular dentist” for “cleaning visits”.  This is a concern.  Ideally, you want the dentist that completed your care and has been intimately involved in what was done, to monitor and help maintain the result.  It is beneficial to find a professional, if possible, within a reasonable distance that you will be willing to travel to on an ongoing basis for maintenance and evaluation.

 So how does the public find a dentist that has the training, experience and tenure to predictably deliver the results they are seeking? Here are some recommendations in gathering information to help make this important selection:

•Contact friends and family and ask who their dentist is and what their experiences are. ?

•If you are looking for a cosmetic dentist, contact other dental specialists (such as an oral surgeon, orthodontist or periodontist) and ask for a referral.  Ask for the best in your area, who they would seek care from if they had an immediate concern. ?

•Call perspective offices and ask questions about the types of dentistry that the practice provides.  Is the staff member friendly and inviting?  Are they willing to take the time to answer your questions? ?

•Set up a visit to the practice for a visit.  Is the facility up to date, clean and reflect the professionalism that you expect.  Does the team enthusiastically support the doctor? ?

•Ask to look at photographs of examples of the treatment that the doctor has completed. ?

•Has the doctor made a career commitment to continuing education?  Is he passionate about the care he provides? ?

•Has the doctor earned additional credentials related to his field of practice?  Have other professionals recognized him as a leader in his field? Some potential resources on the Internet are www.AACD.com and www.MyNewSmile.com.

 In the end, you want to put yourself in the hands of a team of providers that has the training, credentials, experience and tenure to meet your needs.  The patient does not want to be overly focused on veneers, crowns or implants.  These are only products on the shelf that a qualified restorative cosmetic dentist has at his or her disposal.  Allow the dentist to design a plan that is best for you. It often will involve a variety of techniques and procedures. This will allow for the most conservative, predictable and durable result possible.

Scott Finlay DDS, FAGD, AAACD
Accredited Member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
Examiner for the American Board of Cosmetic Dentistry
Senior Faculty Dawson Academy
410-757-6681
http://www.annapolissmiles.com/technology/invisalign.html

Scott Finlay DDS, FAGD, AAACD

A smile can be given freely, yet it represents a priceless
asset. The impact that a smile has on how others
perceive us is undeniable. Making the choice to improve
or restore a smile can be a life-changing commitment,
and choosing the right professional to perform the task is
crucial.

“What few people truly appreciate is that the desire for
a beautiful smile is not a superficial pursuit of vanity,” says
Scott Finlay, D.D.S. “Aesthetics is only a reflection of health.
There are very few enhancements to an individual’s smile
that won’t dramatically improve health, dental function
and quality-of-life.”

For more than 23 years, Dr. Finlay has been creating
and enhancing smiles as a leader in the field of cosmetic
dentistry. After earning his dental degree in 1986 from
the University of Maryland/Baltimore College of Dental
Surgery, Dr. Finlay completed an additional year of
intensive postgraduate education at a Washington, D.C.-
area trauma hospital. Since then, he has completed training
programs through the Dawson Academy in St. Petersburg,
Florida, the NYU Dental School in Manhattan, the UCLA
Dental School in Beverly Hills and the Las Vegas Institute
for Advanced Dental Studies.

Dr. Finlay is one of only 300 dentists in the world
Accredited by the American Board of Cosmetic Dentistry
(ABCD), which serves as the gold standard for excellence
in cosmetic dentistry. He is the only Accredited dentist
in the greater Annapolis area. Dr. Finlay currently serves
as an Examiner for the ABCD, acting as a judge and
mentor for cosmetic dentists nationwide. In addition,
he is a senior faculty member for the Dawson Academy,
an internationally renowned post-graduate education
academy for dentists. He is also a recognized Fellow in the
Academy of General Dentistry. Juries of Dr. Finlay’s peers
have repeatedly selected him as the “Top Cosmetic Dentist”
in the Annapolis area. He has been featured on several
television programs as an expert in dental aesthetics,
including Baltimore’s FOX 45 Morning News and the
shows A Better Life and A Bride 2 Be. (Video segments can
be viewed at www.AnnapolisSmiles.com).

Dr. Finlay’s practice in Arnold, Maryland is a state-ofthe-
art cosmetic dental facility offering a comprehensive
list of services to children and adults. The office’s decor
is warm and inviting, and each patient can relax during
his or her treatment by watching a movie or television
show on a 32″ LCD screen. The practice prides itself on
providing five-star service via both its facility and the skills
of a tenured team of caring, passionate dental professionals
committed to exceptional care.

When Dr. Finlay began practicing dentistry, his goal
was to change lives. “My vision was to create a practice
that would offer the latest and most advanced procedures,
a staff of highly skilled professionals, and work with the
highest integrity to ensure that a patient’s best interests
always come first,” he explains.

“Patients often share with me the positive change they’ve
experienced from having a brighter, more attractive smile,”
notes Dr. Finlay. “That thrill feeds my passion for cosmetic
dentistry.”

Scott Finlay, D.D.S
& Associates, PA
1460 Ritchie Highway, Arnold, MD 21012
410-757-6681
www.AnnapolisSmiles.com

This program is retro active if you have maintained consecutive dental prophylaxis twice a year since your initial investment in professional whitening or a touch up kit.

 Annapolis, Maryland – Numbers from a recent American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) survey show that whitening treatments have increased more than 300% since 1996. With so many individuals brightening their smile, the AACD has a few easy maintenance tips for consumers to consider after whitening.

“While daily home care and regular professional cleanings are essential for maintaining healthy teeth and gums, certain foods can help remove stains from your teeth,” said local AACD accredited member cosmetic dentist Dr. Scott Finlay. “Foods such as apples, pears, celery, carrots, cauliflower and cucumbers produce saliva which combines with the foods’ natural fibers to naturally clean teeth and remove bacteria.”

More White Smile Diet Foods and Tips:

• Strawberries will naturally whiten your teeth.      

• Avoid drinking coffee, dark syrup sodas, red wine and blueberries. All stain teeth quickly.

• Drink from a straw whenever possible this allows food dyes to bypass teeth altogether.

• Baking soda will help remove stains and build up. Brush it on your teeth twice a month, just as you would toothpaste, and rinse.

• Raw veggies are not only healthy to eat, but they will clean your teeth and remove topical stains.

• The mechanical action of chewing sugarless gum can also stimulate saliva and clean teeth surfaces, though not recommended for patients with TMJ.

About the AACD
Comprised of over 8,000 cosmetic dental professional in 70 countries around the globe, the AACD is the world’s largest non-profit membership organization dedicated to advancing excellence in cosmetic dentistry (comprehensive oral care that combines art and science to optimally improve dental health, aesthetics and function). The AACD fulfills its mission by offers superior educational opportunities; promoting and supporting a respected Accreditation credential; serving as a user-friendly and inviting forum for the creative exchange of knowledge and ideas; and providing accurate and useful information to the public and the profession. To learn more about cosmetic dentistry visit www.aacd.com or call (800) 543-9220.

Dr. Scott Finlay is an accredited member dentist with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and practices in Arnold, Maryland.  Information about Dr. Finlay and his practice can be found at www.AnnapolisSmiles.com.