Google it! Search for something like “what women find attractive” or “what men look for in a woman” and you’ll get a ton of listicles, some of them claiming many different things. One thing that makes every list is “your smile.” What’s more is that sometimes that list includes “your sense of humor” too.
So, let us put tooth decay and gum disease abatement tips aside for the day and focus on how to boost the physical attractiveness of your great smile.
A better smile by restoration
Whitening
If you have access to any medium that advertises, you know there exists quite an array of teeth-whitening products you can try. Some can be done at home, some require a visit to your dentist. In all cases, determine that the whitening product used on your soon-to-be pearly whites has garnered acceptance by the American Dental Association. The so-called ADA Seal of Acceptance is what you’ll be looking for or inquiring about. Also, in all cases, including the at-home stuff, give your dentist’s office a call and let them know your game plan before you start implementing it. It might just save your smile, and at the very least, it’ll be nice to hear your voice.
Crowns
Crowns essentially cover teeth that are discolored or badly shaped. So, not only does a crown make your tooth stronger, it can make your tooth prettier too. Crowns are also used to do other important dental works, such as attaching bridges, bolstering a weak tooth, and restoring an already cracked or broken tooth.
Bonding
Bonding is a popular and effective way to restore your teeth’s natural look. The process involves a dentist attaching (hence the term “bonding”)” porcelain and resin to your tooth that needs some extra support. The porcelain and resin are fused together with your natural tooth enamel and dentin. All this creates a stronger tooth, and it looks great, too.
Veneers
Unlike bonding, the application process here requires the removal of a small amount of enamel from your tooth to accommodate the veneers—thin shells of colored materials designed to match your tooth color and cover the front side of your tooth. The matching process here requires a model of your mouth to be made.
It’s important to note that dental veneers are, essentially, an irreversible solution. That’s because removing a layer of enamel makes a tooth more sensitive to heat and cold.
Dental Implants
Another popular and effective way to replace missing teeth is with implanting replacement teeth surgically in the upper or lower jaw. The implanting creates a sturdy anchor for the new teeth, making it a viable long-term solution. And, since the new teeth are typically made of titanium and other strong and long-lasting materials, they are good at holding other restorations—like crowns or bridges—in place to blend nicely with your other teeth.
A better smile by prevention
Benjamin Franklin famously said “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” What he failed to add was “when done right.” Lesser known fact: Franklin decided that taking mercury pills would dissolve the kidney stones he feared were forming. But to no avail, he got kidney stones and also lost several teeth in the process.
Braces
Orthodontic work is not for middle schoolers only. Yes, optimal results with braces more easily occur while a child is growing, but adults can have success with braces, too. The technology has improved over the years, and these advancements have led to more options than those clunky metal brackets. Removable aligners, aka “invisible braces,” are a sort of clear set of plastic brackets that straighten crooked or crowded teeth effectively and safely.
Quit Smoking or Don’t Start
Among other undesirable things, smoking stains teeth. Sometimes that can be polished off, but sometimes it sets into the enamel, making it more or less permanent. Meanwhile, smoking also damages gums, causing them to recede and appear longer. The pockets created along the gums also make it harder to fight gum disease.
Reduce Certain Beverages
In moderation, coffee, tea and red wine are considered simple pleasures in life that even have a few health benefits. But these beverages also are known for staining teeth. Just like with smoking, these drinks can cause both a superficial stain that polishes off and a deeper stain that just doesn’t.
Consider drinking through a straw and rinsing your mouth frequently with water so the dark liquid does not sit on your teeth for very long.
Brushing and Flossing
And now for the Captain Obvious portion of our blog: brushing and flossing are the most important daily tools for keeping a pretty smile. Brush twice, floss once (at least) to improve your oral health.
Regular Dental Visits
And now for the upsell … Going to your dentist twice a year is the most effective way to improve your smile thanks to exams, X-rays, professional cleaning, and expert observation and advice you’ll receive. Insurance helps, but if pricing is restrictive for you, even a visit to a dental college where apprentice hygienists supervised by experienced dentists is worth a try.
A better smile by paying attention
Lastly, we want you to consider this: Given the importance of a good smile, do you know what is happening when your mouth is smiling the least? Talking! Do you know what is happening when your mouth is smiling most? Listening!
Listening is fun and sexy. Mansplaining or gossiping, not so much. So with that in mind, do the math—two ears, one mouth; use accordingly.
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