Tips for Taking Care of Your Teeth

Picture of Sonya

Dr. Sam Saleh DDS, the dentist that provided the skills to create Sonya’s smile transformation, has these tips for taking care of your teeth.
  • Healthy Gums: pink gums should blanch when you press on them and immediately return to pink when you release. To ensure healthier gums, brush twice a day and floss after meals. For bleeding gums, coat your floss with baking soda. The baking soda releases oxygen, killing the bacteria under the gums that cause the bleeding.
  • Clean White Teeth: plaque that is not removed from the teeth turns to calculus, which is like a stone that adheres to the tooth and stains it - making the teeth appear yellow. To remove calculus and stains, you should schedule regular visits to the dentist every six months if healthy and 3 months if not.
  • Lustrous Bright Teeth: over time stains from tea, coffee, red wine and smoking get into the tooth structure causing an internal stain of the tooth. This causes yellowing and decreases the brightness of the teeth. The best way to rejuvenate color is to bleach the teeth. This process involves getting an oxygen molecule to go into the tooth and remove the stain molecule. This does not remove any of the actual tooth structure and there are many ways to do this including, over the counter home treatments, home treatments prescribed by dentists and in office treatments. My favorite is the in office treatment, because it is safer with the doctor maintaining direct control of where the bleaching agent is applied. This prevents you from swallowing it or getting it on the gums. If you visit my ORA facility, you can even have a massage at the same time!
  • Correct Alignment of Your Grill: yes, straight teeth are now possible without braces! You can get your teeth in order with Invisalign, discreet clear plastic trays that are worn over the teeth causing them to move in increments. You can expect to see results within 6 months, depending on the degree of change needed.

Comments

Hello Tyra!!! I hope this is really your show i'm emailing... My teeth aren't that bad, but bad enough I have two missing at the back...the front are chipped from grinding them together(I was told bad nerves make you girnd your teeth together)I can't afford the fillings and any other work I need...I have a job...but it's well you know...hopefully this is Tyra I've seen you blessed lots of people and one day I hope I'm one Thanks!!

Hi Tyra, I am 20 years old. I am working my way through school, slowly, and I have a job as a customer service rep., although, a key part of my job is to smile and make conversations with our clients. I have "soft" teeth, basically, as a child, my teeth came in but with no enamel to protect them. My family works hard for what they do have but can not afford to fix them, and nor could I. My front teeth aren't straight and are decaying on both sides of them, my molars wouldn't hold fillings, they just broke off. They have absessed and hurt very bad. I don't know where to turn. I have dental insurance but, it only covers a $1,000.00 lifetime maximum. The last time I did go to the dentist, they quoted me $15,000 to fix everything. I haven't been back since, I am embarrassed and ashamed of my smile. I didn't go to college with the rest of my friends because of my smile. I would only be laughed at and depressed. Please Help! Thank you so much! I love your show!

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Hi Tyra, I know its been a long time since your dental makeover show, but i just want you to know that it has truly inspired me. I know what those people go through everyday.

I have horrible teeth and am very self conscious about them. I just finished my first year in college and loved it, but can honestly say i don't have one picture of me smiling.

I have buck teeth and they hold me back from doing a lot with my life. I honestly believe that this little change will make a huge impact in my life for the best.

The problem is I cant afford any of this, since I will be paying off college loans for a long time. I'm writing to ask you if you could please help me change my life. I would just love to be able to smile at someone, for a picture or just be in general more confident with myself. Please help me!!

ps-love your shows!! :) keep up the good work!!

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Hi Tyra,
This is Amber diamond. i dont know what to do about my mom, she does what ever she can for all her kids and grandkids,we dont have any money, she hates to smile her teeth are broken rotten and know one knows what to do to help her. i need your help, please help my mom tyra i lost my dad and i dont want to lose my mom i love her too much! to see that happen to her . I LOVE YOU TYRA please help!!!! thank you.

Hello Tyra..

My name is Loyda I am a single mothe of two my son is married now I do have my baby girl.. I have raised both of my children by myself always working and making sure that they always had roof,helath ins,food and clothes and a safe place ot grow up... I always made sure they visit the dentist and I paid the bill with no help with child support for my daughter I always found my self sturgling to make ends meet my rent would go up my car payment .. It would always be somthing.. when school would start i would have to buy school supplies for them.. this would put me behind... a little about me I was born in Cuba I came to the united states in 1969 when I was only five and very proud of my father to bring us here proud to me an Americaan.. my father taught us to graduate and work hard and I have follewed that all my life I'm not on walfare food stamps I work evey day and also looking for apart time job to make ends meet ... I wanted to see if there is hope for my teeth I cannot afford the prosedures requied I did put braces on my daughter which there were neede I sacrifice $119.00 every month, my teeth are in bad shape.. I find myself not really smiling due to the fact I'm afraid to smile I know if I had a beautiful I would have more conference in life.. all I'm asking for for some help with my teeth all my money in spent were is needed and no left over for a lovely smile...
May god bless you

Loyda Denver, Co

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Hey Tyra,
I have a question about braces, because im in dire need of them, I'm 14 and I'm in 8th grade and I'm gonna be going to high school, I dont want to start with messed up teeth, I want them to be straight. I already have a black birthmark on my eye that almost covers my whole eyelid, so that's already something I'm conscious about, and I can't deal with being made fun of anymore about my teeth. My family doesn't have enough money, but my grandma does, she isn't very giving, so I dont really have the courage to ask her to help me get braces, by the way she lives in Mississippi and I'm in California. I don't know what the heck to do, but I really need some help. What should i do?

Hello Tyra
I just love your show because you help so mant people without looking for nothing in return. The reason for me writing is because I am in desperate need and it concerning my teeth. They are in really bad shape. My husband and I cannot afford on how much we make. He needs to get his teeth fixed also and mine will cost so much money to get them fixed I just have been putting it off. They are rotten in the front in the back just to say they all need to come out as soon as possible. If I had the money I will go out today and get them pulled and get dentures because they cannot be saved. I do not go to the dentist is because my son needs braces and that is more important to me than anything. It hurts me so bad because I cannot take any pictures with my son and he is now seven years old. I tell my husband I am going to take pictures without my hair being done which is a lie. I can't smile.I look at people around me and on television and say I wish I had their teeth. Yes my mouth hurts sometimes I take something for ir and go on with my day. I look out for my child and my husband first because they need theirs fixed too. I am not asking you this because you are a celebrity and have money I am asking you because I know you really care about peoples feelings. I not asking you to pay for it but just help me out a little to get me started. If you know any people that live in the Geogria area let me know okay. Tyra I hope you really read this because I really do and my family needs your help. I do not like for my husband to be in pain. He suffers from really bad headaches from his teeth. Do ot ask me the last time I went to a dentist because I could not tell you. If you cannot help me or my husband could you please help my son get braces. If you cannot help neither one of us believe me I truly do understand. Just keep on doing what you are doing and God will always bless you.
Thank you

Hello Tyra
I just love your show because you help so mant people without looking for nothing in return. The reason for me writing is because I am in desperate need and it concerning my teeth. They are in really bad shape. My husband and I cannot afford on how much we make. He needs to get his teeth fixed also and mine will cost so much money to get them fixed I just have been putting it off. They are rotten in the front in the back just to say they all need to come out as soon as possible. If I had the money I will go out today and get them pulled and get dentures because they cannot be saved. I do not go to the dentist is because my son needs braces and that is more important to me than anything. It hurts me so bad because I cannot take any pictures with my son and he is now seven years old. I tell my husband I am going to take pictures without my hair being done which is a lie. I can't smile.I look at people around me and on television and say I wish I had their teeth. Yes my mouth hurts sometimes I take something for ir and go on with my day. I look out for my child and my husband first because they need theirs fixed too. I am not asking you this because you are a celebrity and have money I am asking you because I know you really care about peoples feelings. I not asking you to pay for it but just help me out a little to get me started. If you know any people that live in the Geogria area let me know okay. Tyra I hope you really read this because I really do and my family needs your help. I do not like for my husband to be in pain. He suffers from really bad headaches from his teeth. Do ot ask me the last time I went to a dentist because I could not tell you. If you cannot help me or my husband could you please help my son get braces. I f you cannot help neither you of use believe me I truly do understand. Just keep on doing what you are doing and God will always bless you.
Thank you

Hey Tyra,
I think your show is great, I in the same case as the one girl who had crooked teeth because her mouth was too small and her teeth grew too quickly. The girl was a teen, like me (I'm 14), she didn't smile or talk to too many people. That isn't the case for me, but i can't afford them either, my family doesn't have enough money, and my grandma isnt very helpful, she lives in Mississippi, i dont know what i should do, because this septmeber im starting high school and im not sure how my teeth are going to affect me by the way I already have a big birthmark on my eye.

Hey Tyra,
I need help with my teeth. im 20 years old and my teeth are rotting out of my head! i thought everything would be ok until one finally fell out. then everyone started staring and its really embarracing! i need help on what to do. thanks, nick

Hey Tyra,
I need help with my teeth. im 20 years old and my teeth are rotting out of my head! i thought everything would be ok until one finally fell out. then everyone started staring and its really embarracing! i need help on what to do. thanks, nick

Hello,

My name is Justin, I had to see an oral surgeon to have my wisdom teeth removed. I was trying to get them to pull them all out but they wouldn't because I didn't have the money to have them all taken out and my insurance only covered $1000 per year. The surgeon showed me in the exray that all 3 of my wisdom teeth impacted the rest of my teeth causing them to fracture. All I could get him to pull was my wisdom teeth and 1 other tooth he pulled. That was all they offered sense my insurance wouldn't cover the cost to have them all pulled. They showed me a brochure for a loan which I couldn't get because my credit is not good enough. Now I have another job and my teeth are in such bad shape I can't hardly stand to eat because it's a painful effort and I've been having chest pains for months. No dentist that I know of is willing to help me save the expense by letting me make payments. My teeth look so bad I don't dare smile at all. I continuously have tooth infections all the time. I wish someone could help me because I can't hardly stand work it's so hot in the place and I used to like being active and I'm always good to my word. I don't know why none of them will take payments but I don't have insurance no more. I've seen countless dentists all they will pull is a few at a time. I am afraid I will die if nobody helps me. I've been told by some of my well respected friends that if I don't get something done the infections can spread to the brain and that will be the end. I want to live to be an old man but I don't know who to turn to can somebody please help me or give me some advise. I have a different job now but I have no insurance. The heat in the building just amplifies the pain in my jaw I've found myself running to the water fountain multiple times because it's the only way I know how to numb the pain so I can work a little comfort. I hope my employer doesn't fire me for running to the fountain so much. I wish I could smile and eat again.

Hi Tyra I saw the show that you did on people teeth, I’m need to get my teeth fix, I have fear of needle and that is one of the reason that I have not gone to the Dentist, and the benefit and that my job has Dental plan I can go I just would like to find a good one. I can't take it anymore my mouth is keeping me from moving on with my plans I would like to find and new job and my mouth is keep me from doing that, because of my teeth. I need someone to help with my fear of needle and to do a good job on my teeth. I just would like to smile with out thinking about my teeth and take some picture with my sons all the picture I have is with my mouth close. So can you gave me the name and address of the Dentist that you use on your show

ps Can you email the name and address of the dentist

Hello, I am 34 years old and 2 days ago just had all my teeth taken out, except 2 on the bottom.I have had horrible teeth since a very young girl and have suffered with pain as an adult do to my fear of going to the dentist (and the bill!)I am still in pain from having them out but I can truly say I feel beautiful! I have a top denture and a partial for the bottom. Even when I took them out I found myself laughing at the mirror. See my grandma passed away 2 years ago and I miss her so much. Looking in the mirror at myself with no teeth (I could see her!! lol) Call it crazy but it sure made me smile a big toothless grin! and then laugh. I used to hide my smile and as my boyfriend puts it I was grumpy before. Teeth truly are connected to our overall health, and leaving problems only creates more problems. I keep telling my boyfriend (who has a sore tooth) you need to get in there to the dentist and get it looked after now. Don't put it off until it becomes a health issue. This is so important. I know there wasnt anything anyone could say to me to change my fear I had about the dentist. But perhaps for someone else out there with teeth that need care that is too afraid to go to the dentist could read this. I want you to know the health problems my teeth caused me have gone away since I had them out. I used to have this pain in my chest every day. My heart was working hard to heal my mouth. I used to have severe anxiety. Every day. It's been 2 days since I had my teeth out and I have not had one. Don't wait until your teeth damage your health. You deserve to feel healthy! There is so much focus on nice looking teeth, but truly what is important above all is the tooth you have been putting off getting fixed that you're still able to hide. You deserve to feel good too.
Self confidence comes from inside and the belief that you deserve beautiful teeth begins inside. All the best.

TYRA PLEASE, IM BEGGING YOU AND CRYING RIGHT NOW TO HELP ME, I GET UP EVERY MORNING BEFORE LEAVING TO BABYSIT AND I CRY MY TEETH HURT SO BAD. MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE PERADONTAL DISEASE WE WERE TOLD, AND CAVATIES, AND ROOT CANALS THAT NEED FIXED. IM ONLY 20 AND HES ONLY 22, WE ARE DESPRITE, IF YOU COULD PLEASE HAVE SOMEONE IN THE CLEVELAND AREA HELP US OUT AND FIX EVERYTHING IN OUR MOUTHS FOR US, NOTHING COSMETIC JUST THINGS THAT NEED TO BE DONE IMMEDIATLY, TYRA MY GUMS BLEED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, IM SCARED AND WE REALLY NEED HELP. THANK YOU TYRA.

Hey Tyra! well im in high school and im 16 i really self contiuos about smiling because my teeth aren't straight and my eye teeth didn't fully grow in so i look a vanpire. And my family can't afford to get me braces.

hello tyra,

i am about to be gain highscool and around this time this is when teenagers takes lot of pictures. well the ehing is i dont take pictures because i dont have strait teeth. but we (my family) cant afford to get me braces, and i dont have no type of inserance. do you know any place in texas thats between dallas and fortworth that has a progam that can help me get braces at the price we can afford. and plus i've only went to the dentist one time but they only filled 3 cavities.

Thanks for listening!

 

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