Your smile is one of the first things people notice—and when you don’t feel confident about it, it can affect virtually everything in your life, from social interactions and personal relationships to your overall health and well-being. Thankfully, modern dentistry offers many cosmetic and restorative solutions that are designed to enhance both the appearance and health of your teeth! Combine these treatments with a few key lifestyle changes, and before you know it, you can achieve a smile that truly looks and feels its absolute best. Here’s what you need to know.
How Can My Dentist Fix My Smile?
There are several treatments designed to improve a smile. Some focus solely on aesthetics, while others take functionality and oral health into consideration. A few common ones that you might hear about include:
- Teeth whitening – This is one of the quickest ways of improving your smile, though it is only used for brightening the color of your teeth, rather than enhancing their health or function.
- Veneers – These thin, custom-made shells are bonded to the front of your teeth to create a flawless, natural look, making them perfect for hiding chips, cracks, or misshapen teeth.
- Cosmetic bonding – Bonding is a fast and cost-effective way to correct small imperfections; it involves a tooth-colored resin being molded and hardened over teeth.
- Dental crowns – When a tooth is weakened, significantly damaged, or severely decayed, a tooth-shaped dental crown can restore its strength, structure, and appearance.
- Dental implants – Often considered the “gold standard” of tooth replacement, you’ll find no better option for restoring missing teeth from roots to crown than dental implants.
What Can I Do on My Own to Maintain a Healthy Smile?
While certain cosmetic and restorative treatments can dramatically improve your smile, it’s just as important to take care of things at home. In addition to routine preventive dental care, it’s crucial that you maintain your oral hygiene; preventing problems is always going to be easier and more cost-effective than having your dentist treat them after the fact. Some big tips to follow include:
- Maintain consistent oral hygiene by brushing and flossing every single day, especially before going to bed when it’s easy to forget.
- Try to limit stain-causing foods and drinks, such as coffee, soda, tea, wine, dark berries, and red sauces.
- Avoid bad oral habits like smoking or using tobacco; not only can this stain your teeth, but it can also lead to serious oral health issues.
Whether you’re looking to brighten teeth, restore or replace them, or simply help your smile to feel and function normally, the right treatment—as well as a sensible at-home approach—can make a truly life-changing difference.
About the Author
Dr. Tricia Mockler completed dental school at the prestigious University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry and brings over 15 years of experience to our Campbell office. We offer a wide variety of preventive, restorative, and cosmetic treatment options, including veneers, teeth whitening, cosmetic bonding, and beyond. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to schedule an appointment for yourself or a loved one, please reach out online or call today for more information. Telephone: (408) 871-0877.