Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE

How to

Fix an Overbite

If your top teeth stick out further than your bottom teeth, you might have an overbite. While some protrusion is natural, a severe overbite can cause health issues down the line, like the inability to chew or speech impe...

How to Apply Crest 3D White Strips: Step-by-Step Instructions for a Radiant Smile (with or without LED Light)

Getting a dazzling smile with Crest 3D White Strips is a cheap alternative to professional whitening treatments, but how do you do it safely and correctly? If you follow the instructions closely, applying the strips is a...

Sharp Tooth? 4 Ways to Find Relief

How do you manage a sharp tooth at home if you can't visit the dentist right away?Sharp tooth edges caused by injury can be irritating, possibly cutting your tongue or the inside of your cheek. In these cases, filing dow...

How to

Determine if You Need Braces

Many people associate white, even teeth with health and beauty. If your teeth aren't naturally straight, though, you can consider braces either for cosmetic reasons or to address medical issues. But how do you tell wheth...

How to

Apply Orajel

Orajel is a topical anesthetic that you can use to numb pain or discomfort on your body or inside your mouth. Its active ingredient is benzocaine, and it’s available over-the-counter both as an ointment and a spray. Yo...

How to Treat White Gums: Your Top Questions Answered

Have you noticed a white patch on your gums, or do your gums just look a little paler than normal? Don’t panic. White gums can mean a lot of different things and aren’t necessarily a sign of something serious. While ...

How to

Make Hydrogen Peroxide Mouthwash

There are lots of reasons why someone might want to use mouthwash made from hydrogen peroxide. Some people use it because a dentist instructed them to do so, while others simply want to use products made with natural ing...

How to

Keep Bottom Dentures in Place

In most cases, bottom dentures should stay adhered to your mouth thanks to suction and a thin layer of saliva. But, if your dentures still feel loose, using a dental adhesive or adjusting your lifestyle to become more de...

How to

Get Your Braces off Faster

Dental braces work by applying continuous pressure over a period of time to slowly move teeth in a specific direction. The problem is the slowly part. The first question of just about anybody wearing braces is: how soon ...

How to Repair Loose, Poking, & Broken Braces Wires

Tips for getting irritating braces wires back in working orderEver been eating or playing a sport and one of your braces wires come loose? Or have you been having issues with braces wires digging into your cheek? These ...

How to

Choose the Color of Your Braces

Braces become a part of your day-to-day appearance. They will become as much of part of your “style” as your shoes or your shirt. That is why picking a color can be so difficult. Do you have trouble deciding what col...

How to

Fix an Underbite

There's no need to let a common orthodontic problem like an underbite stop you from smiling. While some underbites don’t cause problems, others may lead to eating difficulties, speaking challenges, jaw pain, headaches,...

How to

Prepare on the Day You Get Braces

Getting braces can mean some major adjustments. The first few days after your orthodontist puts them in, they can cause some discomfort. You can prepare mentally and physically for the day you braces are put on (and life...

How to

Whiten Your Teeth with Banana Peel

Bananas are delicious and full of nutrients, but will those nutrients whiten your teeth? A teeth whitening hack has spread across the internet, and you won’t believe the secret ingredient: banana peel. People are rubbi...

How to

Pick Your Teeth Without a Toothpick

Have you got something stuck in your teeth, but there's no toothpick around? Sometimes you might have to be creative to find something that you can use to pick your teeth that won't risk damaging your gums. There are a n...

How to

Eat With Braces

Eating can be quite a challenge with braces, particularly during the first few painful weeks and after the brackets are tightened. Brackets can poke into your gums and cheeks, and you may not be able to chew as usual bec...

How to

Deal with Braces

If you just got braces, you're probably still getting used to the new pieces of metal in your mouth. The first week is always the toughest, but after that, it's smooth sailing to a beautiful, straight smile. To help you ...

How to

Pay for Braces

Do you, or does your child, need braces? Braces are expensive (around $5000 on average), so you might be wondering about what options you have to pay for them. There's actually a variety of options, from no-interest paym...