Our mouth can say a lot about our health and how well we take care of ourselves. When you smile, what do your teeth say about you? They should show everyone that you take great pride in your appearance and personal hygiene. If your teeth don’t represent you the way you want them to, it’s time to take action.
Cosmetic dentistry is a type of dental care that focuses on the aesthetics of the teeth as well as their functionality. Most people see cosmetic dental care as just teeth whitening, some cosmetic procedures can actually help prevent you from causing further damage to your teeth. It can cover the flaws in cracks, gaps, and broken teeth. Cosmetic dentistry plays a key role in improving the appearance and confidence of people in all forms of life.
The Importance of Your Smile
In your life, you get two sets of teeth. Once your baby teeth fall out, they’re replaced with your one and only set of adult teeth. Look at them closely and pay attention to them and their condition. If you get a cavity, root canal, or an extraction, the effects of that dental procedure will follow you around for the rest of your life.
In 2010, Wayne State University did a study on baseball players. In this study, they compared the player’s smiles on their baseball card to their lifespan. They found that the players who smiled in their baseball card photos lived on average about seven years longer than the players who didn’t smile in their photos. If you need a reason to smile today, a longer lifespan is definitely a reason.
Smiling helps you reduce your daily stress. Even a fake smile can give you stress-relieving benefits. It also helps boost your mood. The best way to instantly improve your mood is to start to smile. Still, if you don’t feel confident when you look in the mirror, smiling for any reason can be hard.
The most important purpose of your smile is to bring yourself joy. If you don’t love your teeth and smile, it can put a damper on even the happiest occasion. Every joke, conversation, and picture will be clouded with the discomfort your teeth give you. That’s not fair to you or anyone trying to enjoy your company. You’re a happy and joyful person, so your smile should reflect that.
Your smile plays a huge role in your confidence and how others perceive you. That’s why celebrities put so much effort into making their teeth as perfect as possible. You’ll notice that the first cosmetic procedure actors get done is making their teeth flawless. That’s because they understand just how important and impactful your teeth can be for your overall appearance.
There is no better alternative than your natural set of teeth. Nothing, not even implants, will feel as good or work as well as your natural set. When it comes to dentistry, artificial is never better than natural. That’s why your dentist will always try and save your teeth whenever they can. Still, it’s better to maintain them before you have to save them.
The Bare Minimum
Brushing your teeth is the very first step in proper at-home dental care. The Mayo Clinic and dentists everywhere recommend that you brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes. Of course, you can’t forget the toothpaste! Brushing is the very least you can do for your oral hygiene.
After that, you need to floss at least once a day. A quick floss after you eat wouldn’t hurt but flossing at least once every single day will impact your oral hygiene in a very positive way. Flossing reaches all of the food particles and bacteria that your toothbrush can’t reach. When cavities begin to grow, they start in between your teeth. The best way to avoid this is by flossing.
Finally, the best thing you can do to maintain your teeth is to visit your dentist biannually. They will give you a deep cleaning that will clear away any of the hard-to-reach plaque buildups. They will also do a full assessment of your teeth.
This is when your dentist will find any small cavities or imperfections in your teeth. This is the best time to find them because they will be fixed before they become a major issue. Make sure to follow any advice your dentist gives at these appointments. It could save your smile.
Next-Level Dental Care
Cosmetic dental care is the ultimate level of dental care. Not only does cosmetic dentistry help strengthen your teeth, but it will build your confidence. It goes beyond the basic maintenance that your teeth require, and it treats them to a star-level quality of dental care.
Recently, Katy Perry proved how important her smile is to her. She wanted to add some extra pizzaz to her “Dark Horse” music video. To do that, she got the most expensive grill, or teeth covering, in the whole world. It has so many jewels on it that it’s valued at about one million dollars. That’s certainly one way to get a million-dollar smile! Of course, you don’t have to go as far as to get a grill for yourself, but this example is a great way to show how important teeth and smiles are to celebrities.
Westend Dental offers three different types of cosmetic dentistry. We offer GLO tooth whitening, porcelain veneers, and dental bonding. We offer a variety of procedures because each procedure provides a different result.
We can assess your dental goals and where your teeth are currently. Then, we will be able to give you a helpful and realistic timeline of dental care to get you from where you are now to where you want to be. Once we have a game plan, we can get started by scheduling some appointments.
Before you come in for your first appointment, it’s important to know more about the different types of cosmetic procedures we offer. Prior knowledge will make it much easier for you to fully understand what is being discussed during your appointment. It could also give you an idea of what you might want to get done.
GLO Tooth Whitening
When it comes to GLO whitening, you have two main options. You can whiten your teeth at home, or you can come to the office to get it done. Either way, GLO whitening treatments will have you well on your way to a dazzling smile. You’ll notice the difference after each treatment.
Some people prefer the at-home method. The kit comes in a small and beautifully organized case for your convenience. A lot of people prefer the at-home treatment because it saves them the commute to the dentist’s chair. It also allows you to whiten your teeth on your own time. You’ll never have to wait for an appointment to get your teeth whitened.
Still, many other people prefer to come into the office to get the treatment, and that’s okay! Our in-house treatment is actually more in-depth than the take-home treatment. Since licensed professionals are providing the service, we’re able to give you an enhanced version of GLO while still being mindful of your time in the dentist’s chair.
GLO whitening is for anyone who wants a whiter smile. This service will only whiten your teeth. If teeth whitening is all you need, then that’s great! This is the perfect service for you. If you want more cosmetic upgrades besides whitening, there are other options available for you.
Porcelain Veneers
The first question you might ask yourself is, “What exactly are veneers?” That’s a great question. We often hear about someone getting veneers when their smile goes from drab to fab, but very rarely does someone explain the process. Let’s be honest, asking someone about their cosmetic procedures can also be a little awkward.
Simply put, veneers are an extremely thin laminate that is put on the front of the tooth. It is formed and bonded to the tooth so that they are practically indecipherable from the original tooth. They end up looking flawless, and they last for several years.
Veneers are perfect for anyone with imperfect teeth. They are ideal for teeth that are discolored, but they can also help teeth that are chipped, broken, or have other issues. Veneers are a step above whitening because they are much more long-lasting than teeth whitening.
Porcelain veneers are a favorite service of high-ranking celebrities like George Clooney and Morgan Freeman. These celebrities are well-known for their smiles and gorgeous teeth, but they should really be well-known for their veneers, and their dentists should get some serious credit!
When you decide to get veneers, you should prepare to schedule two visits to your dentist’s office. The first visit is for preparation. An impression will be taken of your teeth, and you’ll be able to choose how your veneers will look. You’ll be able to choose the color at this appointment.
At the second appointment, your veneers will finally be applied. You’ll leave your second appointment with a flawless smile and boosted confidence. Your dentist might schedule you for a follow-up appointment, but this is just to make sure that your veneers are staying in place and working properly.
Veneers last several years. If you want them to last as long as possible, you should practice proper oral hygiene. You have to brush and floss your veneers just like you brushed your teeth without them. Basic care and maintenance will always be mandatory, no matter what upgrades you make to your teeth!
Dental Bonding
Finally, we provide a dental bonding service. This is similar to veneers because the method covers your teeth in resin, but it doesn’t go on in sheet-like veneers. Instead, the liquid material is placed on your teeth and hardened with UV light. Don’t worry. The resin quickly becomes solid once it’s exposed to UV light.
The interesting part about dental bonding is that it can be used to completely change the form of your teeth. With this service, gaps in the teeth can disappear, cracks will be gone, and your dentist can even make your teeth longer. You’ll be able to customize your smile any way you want.
Unlike GLO whitening or porcelain veneers, dental bonding only requires one visit. Nothing needs to be customized to your mouth prior to the service, unlike veneers where a mold needs to be taken of your mouth. Your dentist will be able to complete your smile transformation in one day.
Another amazing feature of dental bonding is that it has some really practical uses. Dentists can use the resin to cover exposed roots to prevent ongoing pain and to cover decaying teeth to prevent further infection. It’s really quite amazing.
Once the procedure is over, most people don’t have any side effects. The most common side effect is being sensitive to hot and cold food. This makes total sense, as any work that is done on your teeth has the ability to increase your sensitivity for a short period of time. Any pain or discomfort will be minimal and can usually be helped with whatever over-the-counter pain medication you have at home.
Dental bonding lasts for several years when you take care of it correctly. Other than the typical oral hygiene your teeth always require, you also need to be careful not to chew on anything that’s too strong. Avoid biting your nails or chewing on pens. Any smoking product can also cause your dental bonding to yellow over time, so you’re better off avoiding them.
Are You an Ideal Candidate?
Yes, you are! Pretty much anyone can benefit from the enhancements of cosmetic dental care. Anyone who is looking to put a little pep in their step or boost their confidence should consider GLO whitening. It’s one of the easiest ways to make your teeth sparkle. It couldn’t be easier, especially if you decide to use an at-home kit.
If you’re looking for a more permanent change while still keeping the natural shape of your teeth, porcelain veneers are the way to go. The little bit of extra effort you need to put into getting veneers is nothing when you remember that they last for several years. You’ll probably even like going to the dentist for these visits because each time you’ll be one step closer to a beautiful smile.
Lastly, the perfect candidate for dental bonding is someone who wants a completely new smile. If you look in the mirror every day and think about how you wish your tooth gap disappeared or that your teeth were longer, you need to consider dental bonding. Since it will only take one visit to the dentist, this is the easiest cosmetic procedure of them all.
Is Cosmetic Dental Care Worth It?
Of course it is. There’s a reason celebrities keep getting all of this cosmetic dental care done. Think about it. Have you ever heard someone complain that they wished they have never gotten these services done? No, you hear about how white teeth and a beautiful smile changed their life for the better.
Patients come back over and over again to upgrade their cosmetic dentistry. Once they realize how good their smile can make them feel and the positive impact it will have on their life, they don’t want to lose that amazing feeling. You’ll be amazed at what opportunities open up for you when you have a warm and welcoming grin.
If you’re still unsure, or if you’re ready to book your appointment, contact the cosmetic dentistry professionals at Westend Dental. We’re here to answer any questions you have before we give you the smile of your dreams.
Prior to joining the team, Carmen gained over 13 years of experience in the healthcare field. Now as the Marketing Coordinator for Westend Dental, Carmen recognizes how the skills she had picked up along the way can affect patients and help connect them to people who care. Carmen is also passionate about expressing her creative side through the promotion opportunities that the position allows! Carmen fully embraces the Westend Dental vision of providing patients with a “feel good” experience. In her free time, Carmen enjoys spending time with her husband and children, cooking, and entertaining friends.