Going The Extra ‘Smile’

Think your teeth look attractive? They could look even better with a little extra focus.

In an ideal world, most of us would probably want to have a perfect smile, whatever that means to each of us. Some might want a brilliant and dazzling whiteness, while others prefer something a little more subtle perhaps. The fact is that, even those that do make an effort to have a great looking smile could probably improve it just a little bit more.

In today’s blog, we take a look at what patients of Bradley and Partners Dental & Implant Clinic could do, both in general and with various treatment options, to get that extra benefit from their smiles.

Diligent personal oral care

However much you spend on cosmetic dentistry, if you don’t look after your teeth well, you are going to run into trouble, whether that be with tooth decay, gum disease or other flaws. Brushing the teeth isn’t really about whiteness, though it helps of course, but to keep your teeth strong and well protected from damage. Damaged teeth will not help your smile, however white your teeth are!

Mind the fizzy drinks

With a move away from alcohol in the younger generation, it probably isn’t a great surprise that people turn to fizzy ‘soft’ drinks instead. These are usually not only full of sugar but also quite acidic. This can lead to worn enamel which not only leaves teeth less well protected, but creates a rough surface too. This makes it easier for staining products to cling to.

And when you brush….

Yes, you should brush well. But ‘when’ you brush can be important too. Some people make the mistake of brushing very shortly after eating. This is sometimes to make the breath smell fresher. Unfortunately, when we eat, the tooth enamel temporarily softens, and brushing too soon could lead to damage and wear. Ideally you should leave at least half an hour after consuming food before you brush your teeth.

Mouth jewellery

Fashion often dictates what we should wear and many younger people have their tongues or lips pierced. This can sometimes lead to the teeth becoming chipped as they come into contact with these piercings. Our recommendation is to avoid this.

See the dentist and hygienist

Finally, on the everyday front, make sure you see one of our friendly Canterbury dentists and hygienists every six months. This will help to ensure that your teeth remain healthy.

Orthodontics

Now we come to cosmetic dentistry. This is the obvious place to go to if you have done all of the above and are still not happy with your smile. The most time consuming issue to correct is when teeth are crooked. Even a small issue such as a slight overlap can take a few weeks. Thankfully, we offer fast acting and discreet orthodontics to correct this without you needing to have a mouthful of metal wires for the duration.

Teeth whitening

Anyone with a smile that is not as white as they want it to be should discuss having their teeth whitened with us. This is a highly popular cosmetic dental procedure that is also non-invasive and very fast acting. Improving the whiteness of your teeth by several shades is a great and straightforward way of giving your smile a significant boost.

Porcelain veneers

If your teeth are very heavily stained or discoloured, you might feel as though nothing will work for you. If you do, then you need to talk to us about having porcelain veneers attached to your teeth. While this does often require some invasive dentistry, it is an excellent and long lasting way to have a great smile again.

Dental implants

Finally, less of a ‘cosmetic’ treatment perhaps, but if you currently have a partial denture that is prone to moving just when you really don’t want it to, dental implants could be just the thing you need. These are placed into the jawbone and provide a very stable replacement tooth that won’t move around as long as you look after it, and will expand the range of foods that you feel comfortable eating.

Some people may require very little dental work doing to perfect their smile while others may need more. You can be sure that our dentist will offer you a professional opinion on the best way forward to get the most from your smile. If you would like to find out more about what would work for you, with no obligation to proceed should you decide against it, why not contact our Canterbury clinic to discuss this with us? You can do this by calling Bradley and Partners Dental & Implant Clinic on 01227 463529. We look forward to helping you!