Think about where you would fit on that spectrum if you were on set. Would you be downing the onion bagel from the food cart, not worrying about a thing because you know how to kill bad breath? Or would you be popping breath mints at every opportunity because no matter what you do, the odor just doesn’t go away?

Here’s the deal – even movie stars get bad breath, also known as halitosis. It affects everyone from time to time, particularly if you’re not eating well or you’re neglecting to brush and floss daily.

Work from the inside out to ward off bad breath and get your body in balance with these tips:

• Drink plenty of water. Fruit juices and sodas are tasty, but they do nothing to cleanse your mouth and teeth. Water keeps you hydrated and healthy, keeps your mouth moist, and rinses away bacteria and food particles.
• Eat parsley. That sprig of green alongside your garlic mashed potatoes isn’t just for decoration. Parsley is a natural “deodorizer” that is rich in chlorophyll, which inhibits the spread of bacteria.
• Crunch into an apple. An apple a day is still a phrase to live by – this fruit cleans off the teeth, naturally destroys bacteria in the mouth, and keeps your digestive system in tip-top shape.
• Buddy up to bread. That low-carb diet may be great for your waistline, but it’s not helping your breath. As your body burns fat, chemicals known as ketones are released, and they are stinky. Keep a few whole grains on your daily menu to keep the bad breath at bay.

Remember, none of these methods are meant to substitute for proper brushing and flossing sessions and preventive dental care. And if you’re doing all of the above and more and there doesn’t seem to be anything that’s capable of doing war with your bad breath, it’s a sign that decay, gum disease, or a more serious health problem is the culprit.

If you want a movie-star kind of smile, then you need a stellar foundation to start. Schedule your regular check-up with our Philadelphia dental office – preventive dental care is the key to a healthy, beautiful smile.

Dismayed by chipped teeth or disintegrating dental work? Missing or damaged teeth can make you look unhealthy and older than you really are. Your smile can be easily restored with dental crowns and bridges, porcelain veneers, or the popular and painless lumineers.

Tired of dealing with uncomfortable, embarrassing dentures? Dental implants are a popular, secure option that won’t have you worrying about what might happen to your teeth at the dinner table.

It may be that your previous dental work was laid upon a poor foundation. It’s important to have a healthy mouth before getting any cosmetic dentistry. Before embarking upon any smile corrections, we will properly address and treat any gum disease or other oral health problems you may be experiencing.

When eating, speaking, and smiling become difficult or worrisome rather than natural and enjoyable, it’s time to realize that a new smile will give you a better quality of life and restore your self-confidence. Visit our Philadelphia dental office to learn more about your options.

But tooth whitening isn’t as easy as buying an over-the-counter solution. Here are five things you need to know about teeth whitening:

1. Whitening toothpaste can only go so far. They’re helpful for removing surface stains, but whitening toothpastes won’t change the color of your teeth. Some even contain abrasive ingredients that can increase the sensitivity of your teeth or even erode your enamel.
2. You may have stains that won’t whiten. Professional tooth whitening isn’t always the best option to give you that natural, white smile you crave. In some cases, it may be necessary to cover your stains using porcelain veneers or lumineers. These cosmetic dentistry procedures are resistant to future staining.
3. It’s possible to over-bleach your teeth. It’s fairly easy to spot someone who abuses over-the-counter whitening treatments. These bleaching can cause a bluish discoloration, translucent-looking teeth, and gum irritation. Professional tooth whitening kits produce less damaging, more effective, and longer-lasting results.
4. At-home and in-office whitening treatments are available. Our tray bleaching tooth whitening procedure involves custom trays and bleaching gel that you administer at home, putting you in charge of your whitening process. Our ZOOM! in-office tooth whitening can be administered at our Philadelphia dental office in about an hour – that’s one lunch break to a bright, white smile!

Perhaps you’ve long been suffering with gum disease or cavities – that doesn’t mean you aren’t a candidate for cosmetic dentistry. It just means that we first need to develop a solid foundation for you before creating a new smile.

Have you undergone cosmetic dental work in the past but you’re unhappy with the results, or maybe the work hasn’t lasted? We can redo dental implants, add Cerinate Lumineers to complement existing bridges, or professionally whiten a discolored smile that you’ve already had straightened.

Seeing the before and after photos of our clients will make you realize just how correctable your dental problems are. You can have a brand new, straight, white smile in a matter of a few visits to Dr. Ken Cirka and our Philadelphia dental office.

Lumineers are quickly becoming a popular, pain-free alternative to porcelain veneers. No local anesthetic is required to undergo this procedure and it is not necessary to drastically shave down the teeth in order to make the veneers fit.

Considered the “gentle alternative” to porcelain veneers, lumineers are just as long-lasting. Lumineers are guaranteed for five years against chipping, breakage, or separation from the tooth and they have been clinically proven to last up to 25 years with no discoloration.

Wondering if lumineers can help rejuvenate your smile? Lumineers by Cerinate can correct crooked, crowded, broken, misshapen, and small teeth. And even though lumineers are incredibly thin, they are composed of a very strong porcelain shield that can even cover up stained teeth. The lumineers are permanently attached to the front of each tooth, and they can even be placed over old crowns.

Get a straight, new, white, beautiful smile in as little as two visits to Dr. Cirka’s Philadelphia dental office.

Chances are, you haven’t seen many “before” photos of stars without their sparkling smiles – it was a new grin that truly opened up doors for them. Making over your own smile can do the same for you, whatever your field.

The first impression you make in a job interview, sales meeting, or networking get-together is crucial – you’ll be remembered for the right reasons when you opt for porcelain veneers. And this makeover is fast – an entire smile can be drastically altered in just two visits to our office.

Here are some of the most astonishing smile makeovers of notable celebs Ben Affleck, Demi Moore, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Zac Efron:

It’s likely that porcelain veneers form the crux of these new smiles, though these celebs definitely benefitted from tooth whitening and dental crowns as well. All of these services are offered in our Center City, Philadelphia dental office. Contact us for a consultation with Dr. Cirka and see a computerized presentation for porcelain veneers.

We destroy infection and kill the bugs that cause the infection. We protect you and your personal information.

Who knows what your current dentist is doing. ASK THEM! Know that you are always safe in our office.

If you are in need of care, we can help. Call Dr. Cirka today for a free exam and 4 cavity-detecting x-rays. Cleaning is extra. Call to inquire today.