When acquaintances asked Irish essayist Jonathan Swift how old he was, he famously responded, “I’m as old as my tongue and a little bit older than my teeth.”
The line is just as funny today as it was in the 18th century, but since then the services your cosmetic dentist can provide have come a long way. Adults of all ages can rely on cosmetic dentistry to improve their health and quality of life. Here are just three services that you may not have realized a cosmetic dentist can provide.
- Like a good haircut, a cosmetic dentist boosts confidence. Lots of adults find that their morning coffee or afternoon coke has left their smile stained and dull. According to the AACD, 99.7% of adults say that a healthy smile is socially important–which means pretty much all your peers want you to feel good about your teeth.
A regular trip to the dentist can keep your teeth and gums looking their best. Even if you think you have a chip or a stain that is beyond basic dentistry, ask your dentist about whitening services or cosmetic dental veneers. Both whitening and dental veneers can create a smile design that you’re proud to show the world.
- Cosmetic dentistry isn’t just about looks–it’s also about comfort. You deserve to eat that ice cream or bite into an apple without wincing. If you’re experiencing dental pain, oral surgery might be a path to relief. In young adults, wisdom tooth extraction is a common procedure to relieve pressure. Each year, 5 million Americans go through this outpatient procedure to relieve pain.
Perhaps you’ve already had wisdom tooth extraction surgery and you’re experiencing pain in other teeth. Don’t wait until the pain requires emergency dental services. A trip to an oral surgeon or even endodontic services could save you a lot of pain if you address it early.
- A good Cosmetic Dentist can keep your teeth–and you–youthful. It’s a fact of life that as we age, so do our teeth. Many Americans turn to dentures in order to eat comfortably and remain confident in their appearance.
On your next trip to the dental office, ask about the possibility of dental implants. Although only 10% of dental offices provide dental implant services, these are the most natural looking replacement and they also provide the benefit of feeling and functioning like natural teeth. A survey of U.S. adults over 50 revealed that a smile remains one of our most attractive features, even as we age–which is all the more reason to see your cosmetic dentist as a way to pamper yourself.
There are many options available for stained, pained, missing or damaged teeth, so there’s no reason to live with discomfort. Dentists are trained to take care of your teeth and advise you on the cosmetic smile design that’s right for you. Visit a cosmetic dentist and borrow a line from Jonathan Swift. You’ll still be a little bit older than your teeth, but your smile wont give a single year away.
