As you get older, you may feel like your smile could use some sprucing up. If you have a few stains from dark drinks or an accident left a chip in your teeth, these flaws can leave you wondering what you can do about them. Look no further than your dentist, as they have a range of cosmetic dental treatments to fix these imperfections!
These services are a great way to get an aesthetic grin, but your oral health must be in good condition first. While it may seem like a hurdle before achieving perfect pearly whites, here’s why a healthy mouth is crucial before undergoing any cosmetic dental work.
Why Can’t I Get Cosmetic Treatments If I Have Dental Problems?
In short, it’s unsafe to put any cosmetic service on top of an oral health issue. Teeth whitening, dental bonding, and other metal-free dental restorations rely on a problem-free tooth to last as long as they are meant to.
For instance, cavities and tooth infections mean that your teeth are under attack by bacteria. Getting any cosmetic treatment over these will trap the problem in your teeth. If left untreated, both of these conditions can lead to tooth loss or spread the infection to the rest of your mouth and jawbone. While you’ll enjoy the look of a fixed crack with dental bonding, any germs inside your tooth will continue to cause trouble.
Gum disease is also another issue that has to be addressed beforehand. Bacteria attack your gum tissue, causing it to appear red, swollen, or pull away from your teeth. These symptoms will affect how your smile looks, but the acid produced by the germs will erode your enamel. That will make treatments like teeth whitening hurt when they shouldn’t.
How Long Until I Can Get Cosmetic Treatments?
The good news is that your dentist is here to prevent any dental problems from causing trouble! They’ll ensure that your teeth and gums are healthy foundations so you can show off a pain-free, beautiful smile.
How long you’ll have to wait until you get the pearly whites you want depends on what your dentist finds during their examination. If you do have any oral health issues, your dentist will make it a quick jump over the hurdle so you can cross the finish line with the grin you want.
About the Author
Dr. Thomas Gromling earned his dental doctorate from the Medical College of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University. He is proud to have over 40 years of experience that helps him give his patients confident smiles. In one or two appointments, Dr. Gromling works with you so you can get the perfect pearly whites as quickly and effectively as possible. If you have flaws in your teeth that you want to fix, schedule an appointment or call us at (540) 869-4377.