How much time do you spend on grooming products and doing your hair and makeup every day? Now, compare that to how much attention your teeth receive. Chances are, your pearly whites (or not-so-pearly whites) are getting the short end of the stick. Does your oral health regimen consist of about a minute’s worth of attention using toothbrush, toothpaste, and (sometimes) floss? That just isn’t enough. And some whitening strips every now and then aren’t going to get the job done either.
Open Up, Sometimes
Oral health care begins with what you put in your mouth. We’re not talking about the brand of toothpaste you use, but the lifestyle and dietary choices you make. If you’re baffled about why your teeth are so stained, take stock of what you eat and drink. Lots of coffee or red wine? Can’t kick the cigarette habit? No one is saying you have to stop doing what you love (though you may want to seriously consider nixing the nicotine for all sorts of health reasons), just make sure you balance your vices with good oral health care.
Care for your teeth to care for your heart >>
Are Your Teeth Faking It?
There are plenty of over-the-counter whitening treatments that can brighten up your smile, but if you are constantly trying to spruce up a dingy smile, your yellow teeth may be indicating another problem and the whitening is just masking the real issue at hand. Serious dental issues – like gum disease – tend to begin gradually and by the time you notice the side effects, you’re going to have to deal with some discomfort and pain to get things repaired. A far better course to take is to keep up with routine visits to your dentist for preventative care and, once you’ve been given the all-clear, opt for professional in-office whitening treatments. You’ll walk away knowing your mouth and teeth are healthy and sparkling.
Don’t Let Your Teeth Age You
All that grooming is no doubt in an effort to make yourself look as young and healthy as possible. But the right kind of dental treatments can take years off of your face. Often referred to as anti-aging dentistry, certain cosmetic dentistry procedures can rewind your age, lift sagging cheeks, fill in a broken-down smile, and give you a refreshed, younger look. Porcelain veneers or Lumineers can be used to rebuild your smile; the beauty of this treatment is that the color and shape of your teeth are customized to complement your appearance and look natural. Dental implants can fill in the gaps where teeth should be, and thereby create a solid foundation for your entire smile. Even crooked teeth can make you look older than you are, so an investment in the effective but barely noticeable Invisalign braces can recreate your smile. After all, when people smile, they look happy – and happy people look younger. Give it a try.
It’s never too late to start caring for your teeth. If you’ve neglected them for too long, then simply make the choice to move forward and begin anew with better habits. Want to know what type of oral health treatment or cosmetic dentistry is right for your smile? Contact Red Bank Dentistry to schedule your free initial consultation and get a customized treatment plan just for your smile.
