Cosmetic dentistry gives everyone the opportunity to have white, perfectly aligned teeth, but it offers so much more. These procedures don’t just create beautiful smiles; they also make patients healthier. It treats a range of dental problems, such as:
- Gum Disease
- Tooth Decay
- Missing, Crooked, and Discolored teeth
Along with improved oral health, cosmetic dental treatments may prevent future issues. Those with crooked teeth, for instance, are more likely to have plaque buildup that leads to gum disease and tooth decay. With braces and other cosmetic treatments, the risk of these conditions is reduced.
Increasing Confidence
Laughter is the best medicine, as seen on the Lifetime channel, and smiling is also good for our health. When a person smiles, it reduces their blood pressure, diminishes stress and pain, and boosts immune function. If they have broken or missing teeth, however, smiles may come less often. That’s why so many people undergo smile makeovers that consist of crowns, teeth whitening, implants, and other cosmetic procedures; it improves their smiles and instills self-confidence.
Making Eating Easier
When patients have problems on one side of their mouths, they tend to favor those teeth, using the other side to chew and bite their food. While it may work for a while, it eventually causes excessive wear on the ‘good’ side. Veneers and other cosmetic dentistry procedures improve patients’ ability to chew and bite, meaning that they apply pressure evenly instead of picking one side over the other.
Reducing the Effects of Gum Disease
When patients have straight teeth, they may avoid some of the harmful effects of gum disease. Straight, even teeth are easier to floss and brush than crooked, damaged teeth—which reduces the risk of plaque retention, cavities, and tooth decay. Cosmetic dentistry, therefore, is good for the gums and can help patients manage periodontitis.
Scheduling Frequent Office Visits
Many patients seek cosmetic dentistry treatment to whiten their teeth. With time, a person’s teeth may become stained by food, smoking, beverages, and genetic factors. In-office whitening treatments, however, will remove enamel stains and restore the patient’s white and healthy smile. When people love their smiles, they’re more diligent about flossing and brushing and they’re more likely to get regular check-ups.
Improving Digestion
This benefit may not seem obvious, but it’s worth mentioning. Straight, unbroken teeth make digestion easier, too. Not only does a flawless smile make it more comfortable for a patient to chew their food, but it also aids in digestion. When food is chewed well, it’s broken down into small, easily digestible pieces. This helps stomach bacteria work efficiently while preventing indigestion and other gastrointestinal issues. With the right cosmetic dental treatments, patients can chew their food more thoroughly, causing less digestive distress with time.
Correcting Misalignment
Tooth misalignment manifests itself in various ways. The top or bottom row of teeth may protrude, causing issues such as tooth grinding, decay, headaches, and gingivitis. Some patients may even find it difficult to chew or speak, and others may develop TMJ or temporomandibular joint pain.
Missing teeth can lead to misalignment. If a person loses a tooth and leaves the gap, their other teeth may shift, affecting their oral health. Dental implants are a great choice that will preserve a patient’s smile and their well-being.
Encouraging the Growth of Healthy Gum Tissue
When patients have too much gum tissue, their teeth may look short, and their smiles may appear to be gummy. Contouring safely removes the excess tissue, reducing the risk of gingivitis and restoring the patient’s healthy, normal smile.
Minimizing Bone Loss
When patients lose teeth, indentations may form in the jawbone above the empty space. Ridge augmentation smooths these peaks and valleys, restoring the contour of the jaw and preventing further bone degradation.
Healthy Smile, Healthy Life
A patient’s smile reflects their personality, and a healthy, beautiful smile will have a substantial effect on their quality of life. Attaining and preserving oral health is good for the body, great for self-confidence, and worth the time and money spent.
