Did you know that Americans buy 15 million gallons of toothpaste each year? If your children are still developing good oral hygiene habits, chances are that they are missing some teeth when they brush. Baby teeth start falling out in kindergarten or 1st grade, but kids with a sweet tooth could be damaging their baby teeth and their permanent adult teeth. Instilling good brushing and flossing habits could be a struggle, but kids who develop good oral hygiene routines have fewer cavities and fewer dental issues.
Adults, on the other hand, typically report that they have no problem brushing regularly, but that flossing can be an awkward process and that they tend to skip it altogether. A cosmetic dentist will recommend that their clients floss regularly, because food that gets stuck in between teeth can actually erode the enamel. If you have regular cavities and you are an adult, you should actively avoid sugar and should get regular cleanings. People with discoloration on their teeth from smoking can visit a cosmetic dentist to get more information about porcelain veneers and other cosmetic options.
Recently, an internet media celebrity made news when he had a Lego figurine’s head transplanted into his mouth instead of a false tooth. Most of us would prefer either porcelain veneers or tooth replacement, but dentists want us to know that if we keep smoking, we could discolor the veneers themselves. In general, quitting smoking is a good idea, and dentists can advise their patients about long-term care options for their porcelain veneers. If you have an overbite or uneven teeth, a cosmetic dentist can guide you to either invisible braces, an overnight retainer, or tooth surgery if necessary.
Dental care is an important part of our lives, but there are many people who need a dentist and who refuse to go. Delaying dental care can have a negative impact on your teeth: there are millions of adults dealing with extensive bone loss and advanced gum disease. You can often fight gum disease with regular deep cleanings, but it is important to visit the dentist in order to get a full set of x-rays done. Once your x-rays are in the dentist’s file, then they have a way to track the improvement of your teeth as you get them cleaned and fixed.
General dental care is the first step toward a healthy smile. Cosmetic dentistry can help people with cleft palates, uneven teeth, and whitening procedures. Cosmetic whitening is probably best done at a dentist’s office. There are so many commercial options to choose from in the drugstore, but dentists can control the bleaching process for you and have access to higher quality bleaching kits. If you’re serious about improving the condition of your teeth, you should brush and floss twice per day and get cleanings every six months. Your local cosmetic dentist wants to meet with you to discuss repairing and maintaining good oral hygiene: make an appointment and see what they have to say. Your teeth could be in much better condition than you realize.
