Your smile is one of the first things people will see about you, especially when you start talking to others. Because of that, it’s normal for individuals who suffer from smile-related problems to begin to feel conscious about their smile and, later, have their self-esteem affected.
Other than the aesthetic advantages, there are also functional aspects to having a good set of teeth. It helps you eat, chew, and talk better.
Fortunately for patients, cosmetic dentistry has leveled up, with many treatment options for various smile concerns. Your dentist does the job in the clinic, but once you’re home, you must do your part to keep your teeth well-maintained and cared for.
With that said, here are a few dentist-approved tips to help you care for your new teeth.
1. Visit Your Cosmetic Dentist Regularly
With or without a cosmetic dental procedure, dentists still recommend their patients visit their clinic once every six months for a cleaning. It’s also during those routine checks that the dentist can determine if further work needs to be done.
Those who have undergone a cosmetic dental procedure must follow the same timeframe. Visiting your cosmetic dentist Dr. Patel twice a year is a proactive approach to checking that your new teeth are healthy and in good condition. If any problem is spotted early on, the dentist can address it and treat it before it progresses.
2. Avoid Dark Food And Drinks
Drink coffee, tea, wine, alcohol, and other dark drinks and food in moderation. If this isn’t doable for you, you can use a straw to minimize the time the liquid comes into contact with your teeth.
Dark food and drinks are the top culprits for teeth stains when consumed in large quantities and too frequently. You wouldn’t want those stains to destroy the appearance of your new teeth. Tobacco products can also damage your teeth, which may discolor them and cause gum disease.
If you want to eat or drink dark food, make it a habit to rinse after every meal, so the water can wash away all the residue that may cause stains.
3. Practice Daily Oral Hygiene
Even without a cosmetic dentistry procedure, it’s crucial to practice daily oral hygiene. This becomes even more important when you’ve just had a cosmetic procedure. It doesn’t take a lot of effort to keep it well-maintained, as long as you have a strong foundation of your daily oral hygiene habits.
Brush your teeth two to three times a day, especially at night before going to bed. Flossing daily also reduces discoloration and the accumulation of plaque on the teeth.
4. Avoid Smoking
Smoking is as bad for your teeth as it is for your overall health 1https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/health_effects/. Doctors aren’t remiss with reminders of how harmful smoking can be. So, if this is a habit you’ve gotten used to, it may be a good idea to start at least reducing your smoking frequency.
Smoking, in particular, can cause severe damage to your teeth and gums. Even if these issues are treated, you may have to undergo repeated dental treatments if you don’t quit smoking.
5. Avoid Sugary Food And Drinks
Like colored food and beverages, sugary food and drinks are okay only if they’re taken in moderation. Sugar is acidic, making it the perfect home for oral bacteria to thrive. Tooth decay leads to damage, and the effects can be visible to others.
It wouldn’t be wise to spend money on your new teeth only to cause them to go rotten and decay prematurely because of all the sugary food and drinks consumed. If you’ve eaten quite a high quantity of sugar in a meal, rinse it with water so as not to give it time to settle on your teeth.
Alternatively, you can opt for sweet food and drinks made with artificial sugar or sweeteners like aspartame or stevia. These don’t have the same acidic effect as regular sugar and won’t contribute to tooth decay.
6. Be Gentle When Brushing Your Teeth
Brushing two to three times a day is the dentist-recommended frequency to keep your teeth in good condition. However, it’s not just the frequency that matters but also how you brush your teeth.
Be as gentle as you can with your teeth. Choose a toothbrush with soft bristles so that you don’t cause brush marks on your teeth or damage your gums. Ask your dentist about any toothpaste they may recommend, especially now that you’ve just finished a cosmetic procedure.
Final Thoughts
A smile makeover through cosmetic dentistry is an excellent way to improve your teeth’s appearance and restore how it looks. It may be costly, but if you’re in the hands of a good dentist, it’s a life-changing procedure that can positively affect your self-esteem and confidence.
Do remember, however, that the success of the cosmetic dentistry procedure depends on good aftercare, so that’s something you’ll have to do. The tips above can help you take a proactive approach so that your new smile lasts.
Additional resources and citations
- 1https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/health_effects/