Cosmetic Dentistry: Fixing Stained Or Crooked Teeth

Ever since grade school weve all heard the same advice and recommendations from the dentist (and our parents!): brush and floss your teeth every day and have regular visits (about every six months) to see your dentist.

Its true: nothing else will give you a strong, healthy smile like regular brushing, thorough flossing and regular exams to check your teeth and gums. Doing so can be important for the prevention of or identification of potential tooth loss and decay or gum disease. You know that a healthy smile boosts your confidence with picture perfect pearly whites!

However, sometimes we dont take the best care of our teeth. We may be in a rush and dont make time to brush properly, or we skip the flossing. We may chew on a piece of gum to bypass good oral hygiene practices after our last meal. Certain drinks or foods or smoking may have discolored teeth over the years. Or perhaps we just dont have time to work a visit to the dentist into our schedule and we suddenly realize its been a few years since we last went.

Whether your smile isnt its whitest and brightest or if youve not liked your smile since your adult teeth came in, your dentist can fix whatever cosmetic issues you have and give you the smile youve been dreaming of! If you have a little bit of a crooked tooth or spacing issues that you want to have fixed, a gap or any other cosmetic concerns, all you need to do is schedule a visit to see your dentist and together you can determine what treatment plan is best for your needs and desires.

While youre scheduling an initial exam, you should also request to have a oral health checkup. Your dentist may want to address any potential concerns so that your teeth are in good condition. Then you can also - in the same visit - discuss options for your smile makeover. You may decide you would like the ultimate in picture perfect teeth: porcelain veneers. These will give you the brightest of white smiles and perfectly shaped and even teeth. Veneers can correct a number of issues like aesthetic flaws: misshapen teeth or crooked teeth, too far spaced teeth, crowded teeth and stained teeth.

If youre just concerned with restoring your teeth to a bright white color, then ask your dentist what sort of whitening treatment is available in his or her office. Some dentist offices provide a one time visit that lasts about an hour to have your teeth whitened. Other offices may have a treatment that allows you to arrange several visits from start to finish. If you find you have a busy schedule, ask your dentist for recommendations for at-home treatments provided by their office or perhaps an effective over the counter product.

You can also ask your dentist what steps you can take to prevent tooth stains in the future. Your dentist may recommend avoiding foods, drinks or tobacco products to help keep your teeth whiter longer.

Regardless of what treatment you want from your dentist, you should begin by making an initial consultation appointment to have your general oral health evaluated. This is the first step to getting and maintaining a healthy, beautiful smile!