Do you want to spruce up your smile? Treatments like veneers, teeth whitening, and more can powerfully enhance your appearance. Before you get to that point, though, your dentist might inform you that your oral health needs some improvements. Why is it so important to have a healthy mouth before moving forward with cosmetic treatments? This blog post explains some key reasons.
Oral Health Issues That Can Affect Cosmetic Treatments
Your dentist will never compromise your health for cosmetic improvements. After all, as much as they want you to love your smile, they also want your smile to provide reliable, pain-free function!
Unresolved oral health problems can interfere with, or even prevent, cosmetic procedures. Here are some examples:
- Teeth weakened by decay may not support veneers or crowns properly.
- Covering up dental issues instead of repairing them can lead to more serious health problems in the future.
- Untreated decay may cause extreme sensitivity during teeth whitening treatments.
- Gum disease can be aggravated by cosmetic procedures and might lead to tooth loss if left unaddressed.
Benefits of Addressing Oral Health Before Cosmetic Work
At first, you might be disappointed that you do not qualify for cosmetic procedures. Keep in mind, though, that improving your oral health can have some big aesthetic benefits! Here are some examples of how that is true:
- Treating gum disease can reduce swelling, redness, and persistent bad breath.
- Healthy gums can prevent gum recession (which could cause your smile to look disproportionate) and help retain your natural teeth.
- Repairing damaged teeth with metal-free crowns or fillings improves their strength and appearance.
Making a Success Out of Cosmetic Dentistry
Once your oral health is in good condition, your dentist may approve you for cosmetic procedures, such as veneers, teeth whitening, or dental bonding. After treatment, you must maintain a strong oral care routine to preserve your results. For example, it is important that you brush your teeth twice a day, floss daily, and attend regular checkups and cleanings. Your diligence will protect your smile’s health and beauty!
There is no need to rush into cosmetic dentistry. Be patient, listen to your dentist’s recommendations, and look forward to the time when your smile is both beautiful and healthy.
Meet the Practice
At Meriden Dental Group, our highly skilled team of experts is proud to provide a broad range of services, including both restorative and cosmetic treatments. If you would like to improve your smile’s health and/or appearance, we would be pleased to serve you! To ask questions or request a consultation, contact our office at 203-404-6800.