How Cosmetic Dentistry Can Improve Your Life

By Anna Bird

Is your smile the way you want it to be or are there significant flaws that keep you from showing it off to the world?

Most people can identify at least one characteristic of their smile that falls short and where improvements can be made.

While restorative dentistry can get your teeth and gums into tip-top great health and proper function, cosmetic dentistry can make them look their best.

Cosmetic dentistry can achieve the following smile enhancements:

Whiten teeth

Reduce or eliminate tooth discoloration and staining

Repair small chips and fractures on teeth

Reverse tooth wear by improving the support and structure of teeth

Correct misshapen teeth

Reduce or fill in spacing or gaps between teeth

Lengthen teeth

Correct the symmetry of one's smile

Strengthen and reduce the pain of sensitive teeth

Some patients may be hesitant at the idea of undergoing cosmetic dental procedures, seeing them as unnecessary.

For others it might be the cost. Is cosmetic dental work worth the price?

Cosmetic dentistry often gets put into a box that encompasses such procedures as teeth whitening and veneers. However, cosmetic dentistry is much more than that. Dental implants, for instance, is a cosmetic dental procedure.

Cosmetic dentistry has come a long way and can now not only make teeth look great, but can also refine the tooth's functioning.

Regardless of your concerns and views of cosmetic dentistry, many patients have had their lives changed as a result of a cosmetic dental procedure.

Here are ways cosmetic dentistry can change your life:

Improve your self-image and self-confidence. Cosmetic dentistry can whiten, reshape and smooth teeth, giving you a flawless look that you'll not be ashamed to show the world.

People who feel good about how they look are happier and smile more often. In addition, those who smile are seen as more welcoming and confident.

Smiling and showing off your pearly whites is also a great way to make a positive first impression.

Always look good and turn heads. Some patients opt to undergo cosmetic dental procedures because of an upcoming event such as a wedding, high school reunion or job interview. A white, straight, symmetrical smile will help you get the attention and praise from others. However, with the lower costs of cosmetic dentistry and the ease and quickness of many of the procedures, patients don't need a special occasion to give their smiles a needed facelift. Looking good everyday can be just as powerful.

Improve your oral health. After your smile makeover is complete, you'll want it to last as long as possible. To retain the new bright, straight smile, good dental hygiene, and lifestyle and dietary changes are required.

A lack of proper oral hygiene will make the pearly white fade as well as the lifestyle choice of smoking. Certain foods and drinks such as coffee, tea soda, citrus, candy and bread can sabotage your new, perfect smile.

Live with reduced pain. Crooked, misshapen and misaligned teeth can cause potentially severe pain in your jaw, neck, face and head. Veneers and dental implants can help lengthen and reshape teeth as well as fill in gaps between teeth. Properly aligned, proportional and straight teeth can reduce or eliminate pain, which can improve your quality of life.

You can live a longer, happier life. Want to learn another benefit of smiling? A longer, happier life. A confident, pain-free smile can add years to your life. Smiling reduces stress which has a negative effect on the body. Besides reducing stress, smiling also boosts the immune system.

Teeth whitening, implants, veneers and other cosmetic dentistry procedures can bring about significant, positive changes to your life. Cosmetic dentistry can beatify your smile by whitening, lengthening, and reshaping teeth as well as fill in embarrassing gaps. Besides making your smile look the best it can be, cosmetic dentistry can make your life happier and longer by improving the health of your mouth and reducing pain and discomfort.