Your smile is one of the first things others notice about you, and if yours is riddled with imperfections, you might be remembered for the wrong reasons. If your teeth are stained, chipped, cracked, or misshapen, you might develop anxiety worrying about how others will perceive your appearance.
Thankfully, your dentist can improve your visage with one or several cosmetic procedures, but you must consult them before proceeding to ensure no pre-existing issues get in the way. Continue reading to learn 3 reasons your dentist examines your mouth before upgrading your grin!
Concern #1: Gum Disease
Your mouth is full of bacteria; if they penetrate your connective tissues, they can cause an infection. If left unaddressed, the disease can progress and eventually cause your gums to pull away from your enamel to escape it. Unfortunately, a receding gumline can leave your smile looking worse for wear. For instance, if you’ve had veneers placed, the seams might show or your natural teeth could look overly large.
Although your provider is happy to improve your looks, their primary concern is your oral well-being. They’ll work with you to clear up any periodontal problems before scheduling cosmetic procedures to maintain your health and preserve your reflection.
Concern #2: Cavities
Tooth decay is another common concern that can interfere with your dental goals. Cavities are contagious, and the longer they go unaddressed, the more likely they are to spread and negatively impact your gums, jawbone, and neighboring teeth.
Even worse, they’re known to interfere with cosmetic treatments. For example, applying teeth whitening agents over caries can cause an incredibly painful reaction that might require an emergency appointment to address. Also, veneers, dental bonding, and other restorations can be damaged or dislodged if your enamel is eroded. Your dentist will check for and fill in any cavities before continuing with your desired services.
Concern #3: Maintaining Results
Proper preventative care can help avoid potential injuries and discomfort as well as maintain your recent enhancements. Brushing and flossing twice daily removes plaque and germs that cause oral issues to strengthen your smile. That way, it’s more resistant to chips, cracks, stains, and other issues that interfere with your appearance.
For instance, if you’ve been working with your dentist to whiten your teeth, keeping them clean is the best way to maintain the perfect shade. It also ensures your teeth remain strong enough to continue to support other treatments, like porcelain veneers or dental bonding.
As you can see, having a clean mouth is imperative before undergoing cosmetic procedures to enhance your smile!
About the Practice
Patients at Dr. Glen’s Happy Teeth benefit from a team of dentists who work together to provide a full range of services to meet all your needs at one convenient location. They share 30+ years of combined experience and can help with everything from basic preventative care to more complex services, including cosmetic dentistry. They take the time to get to know you, then utilize state-of-the-art equipment to tailor treatments to address your concerns and reach your goals. If you want to upgrade your grin, you can request a consultation on the website or call (516) 517-0331.