Millions of people feel self-conscious about how they smile, impacting not only how they interact with others but also their self-esteem. Simple dental hygiene habits like brushing and flossing can help preserve your teeth, but issues like broken and permanently stained teeth are much harder to fix.
How can you get the smile you’ve always wanted?
The Value of Cosmetic Dentistry
One of the best categories of options available to you is cosmetic dentistry. With cosmetic dentistry, you can take full control over your mouth’s look, form, and functionality. No matter what you’ve experienced or what your smile currently looks like, there’s probably a cosmetic dentistry procedure that can help you look better and feel more comfortable – in addition to eating and talking normally again.
Modern cosmetic dental procedures have come a long way, and cosmetic dentists can use many tools and techniques to rebuild your jawbone and teeth.
These are just some of the options available to you:
- Teeth whitening and veneers. If you feel self-conscious about stained or discolored teeth, you could try professional teeth whitening and veneers. There are many commercially available teeth whitening products available, but they aren’t as effective as a teeth whitening solution from a dental professional. If you aren’t a good candidate for teeth whitening, you might be a good candidate for veneers, which function as a thin plating to conceal chips, gaps, and misalignments. Veneers are made from resin and are designed to be indistinguishable from the appearance of your other teeth.
- Invisalign. If you have gaps between your teeth or other alignment issues, you might be a good candidate for invisible aligners like Invisalign. These structures are designed to gradually reshape your teeth over the course of months, and they’re completely transparent, so no one will see them while they take effect.
- Dental implants. You might be a good candidate for dental implant surgery if you have broken or missing teeth. Dental implants are designed to look and function like natural teeth; with them, you can eat whatever you’d like, smile normally, and take care of them by brushing and flossing like the other teeth in your mouth. Dental implant surgery includes drilling into your jawbone to implant a metal post, which is then connected to a crown using a connector post.
- Full reconstructions. Full reconstructions typically use jaw surgery as the foundation for a comprehensive treatment plan designed to completely rebuild your jaw, teeth, and mouth overall. If you have multiple oral health issues or if your jaw has been damaged in an accident, this might be the best option for you.
If you do choose to pursue cosmetic dentistry, make sure you:
- Understand the procedure. Get all the details about the procedure before you choose to undertake it. How much is it going to cost? What is the road to recovery? Are there any possible complications? What will your smile look and feel like when it’s all over?
- Evaluate your candidacy. Not all people are good candidates for any cosmetic dental procedure. Your dentist and surgeon should evaluate you thoroughly to determine your candidacy long before you undergo the procedure.
- Find the right provider. Find a provider with intricate knowledge of cosmetic dentistry and a commitment to keeping clients comfortable and happy.
Additional Steps
Aside from cosmetic dentistry, or in addition to cosmetic dentistry, it’s a good idea to take these extra steps to keep your smile in good condition:
- Brush twice daily. Everyone should be brushing their teeth at least twice daily, following all best practices for brushing, like brushing in small circles and spending at least 30 seconds on each quadrant of the mouth.
- Floss daily. You should also floss daily. It’s a necessary activity to keep the gaps between your teeth and your gums healthy.
- Rinse with fluoride. Once per day, you should also consider rinsing with a mouthwash with fluoride to prevent the formation of cavities.
- Visit the dentist regularly. Regularly visiting the dentist is ideal for your oral health – and the preservation of your teeth and smile. Professional cleanings help prevent tooth decay and keep your teeth looking great. Additionally, regular appointments are an excellent opportunity to spot issues early, so they can be addressed before they become any worse.
- Consider practicing in the mirror. If you want to feel better about your smile in general, consider practicing it in the mirror. Small changes to how you smile can make you feel better about how you look.
Routine hygiene and care can help most people achieve the smile they’ve always wanted. For other people, cosmetic dentistry may be the right move. Consider working with a cosmetic dentist to evaluate your current needs and determine the best procedures to accomplish your goals.
