What is a smile makeover?

Many of us start to dream of smile makeovers as we get older and the effects of aging start to show on our teeth and gums. But the desire for a smile makeover can come earlier too, especially for those who are young and starting their careers. 

A smile can make you appear more self-confident and can make you more approachable to colleagues and clients. A great smile also makes you look more professional and put together. So what do you do when your smile doesn’t quite generate the outcome you desire? Get a smile makeover.

Let’s start by explaining more precisely what a smile makeover is in the first place. Most commonly used for patients with crooked, uneven, discolored, chipped, fractured, or missing teeth, a smile makeover can both restore your smile and improve your appearance. 

And if you avoid showing your teeth when you smile because you are ashamed or embarrassed about your smile, then a smile makeover might be just what you need to restore your confidence and give you some more pep in your step.

The best way to determine if a smile makeover is right for you is to ask yourself the following questions.

5 Indicators You Need a Smile Makeover

1. Do you wish your teeth were whiter?
2. Are any of your teeth cracked, chipped, or prematurely worn?
3. Do you see “too much gum” when you smile?
4. Do your teeth seem unnaturally large or small?
5. Do you dislike the spacing or alignment of your teeth?

If you answered yes to one or more of the above questions, then it might be time to request a consultation with your family dentist so that you can discuss your options. 

During your consultation, your dentist will listen to your concerns, assess your oral health, and recommend the best smile makeover treatments for your unique needs. Typical cosmetic dentistry treatments for a smile makeover include teeth whitening, inlays and onlays, porcelain veneers, bridges, and Invisalign.

Read on for some tips to help you make the best decision and get the smile of your dreams.

6 tips to maximize your smile makeover and get you the smile of your dreams. 

Deciding to get a smile makeover is a personal decision and one that requires some thought and care. However, by partnering with your dentist and being prepared with the following tips, you’ll not only fall in love with your new smile, but you’ll be wondering why you didn’t do it sooner.

1. Opt for natural-looking restorations.

Gone are the days where restorations made patients look like they had a mouth full of metal. And though there is still a use case for amalgam and metal fillings and crowns, natural-looking solutions are now available. This means that any teeth that show when you smile can be treated so that they blend with your remaining natural teeth.

Veneers, too, are an excellent option if you want straight, white teeth that look just like your natural teeth. Quite simply, natural-looking restorations will help you achieve that whiter, brighter, and healthier smile that you desire.

2. Look to straighten a crooked smile.

If you have a crooked smile, the chances are that you don’t like to flash those pearly whites more than you need to. But a crooked smile can do more than just making you want to smile with closed lips. Crooked teeth can interfere with proper chewing, which can result in digestive issues. 

And if you have crooked teeth, chances are that you are subjecting them to more wear and tear than you realize. This excess wear and tear can lead to cracked teeth, jaw strain, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), chronic headaches, and speech difficulties. Further, food particles are more likely to get stuck between crooked teeth or those spaced too closely together, which can increase your risk of tooth decay. 

So, if you have crooked teeth, consider Invisalign or traditional braces as a part of your smile makeover. When your Invisalign treatment comes to an end, you’ll see immediately how it contributed to whiter, brighter, and healthier teeth.

3. Teeth whitening remains the most popular smile makeover option.

It is inevitable that our teeth will discolor and yellow with age. As we get older, that outer layer of dental enamel wears away, exposing the yellow dentin underneath. Tobacco use and consumption of brown or caramel-colored beverages, red wine, or even certain teas, can cause staining too. 

So if your teeth have started to discolor despite your best efforts to avoid foods that stain and choose those that brighten, professional teeth whitening might be an excellent component of your smile makeover. See if your family dentist offers an at-home option or the Zoom! whitening system, for the best results. (And we would be remiss if we didn’t mention that Parmer Lane Family Dentistry offers both of these options!)

4. Avoid excess sugar and ensure you take in adequate calcium throughout the day.

One of the best ways to maintain your oral health and the whiteness and brightness of your teeth is to avoid excess sugar and ensure that you are consuming enough calcium. When you eat sugary foods or consume sugary beverages in excess, plaque bacteria uses that sugar to produce acids that attack the enamel of your teeth. 

Unfortunately, this means that most carbonated soft drinks, including diet soda, are bad for your teeth due to their acidic content. Calcium is essential too since it bolsters the outer shell of your tooth (the enamel) which provides a defensive mechanism for your teeth against erosion and cavities. 

To protect your teeth, most doctors and nutritionists suggest that you consume a diet that will give you 1,000-2,000 mg of calcium per day. For this reason, a diet that includes milk, cheese and yogurt is a great choice to help you maintain a whiter, brighter, and healthier smile.

5. Practice good oral hygiene at home.

Be sure that you are taking great care of your teeth at home. This includes brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes at a time with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a fluoridated toothpaste. Avoid brushing your teeth too hard though, as this can harm enamel. 

Floss once per day to remove food particles that might have become lodged between your teeth and gums. And, finally, be sure to rinse with a fluoridated mouthwash once per day. If you notice any inflammation around your teeth or on your gums, be sure to reach out to your dentist. 

A key part of protecting your smile includes addressing any gum disease or cavities before they get out of hand.

6. Let your family dentist serve as your partner in selecting the best smile makeover treatments for you.

Many patients have ideas on what is best for their teeth, and they are often correct. However, your family dentist or the team at Parmer Lane Family Dentistry do smile makeovers for patients every day and can ultimately offer the best suggestions on how to restore your smile. 

An ethical dentist will never recommend a procedure that you don’t need, and will even let you know if a desired treatment might not be best for your unique situation.

Now is the time to schedule a smile makeover to get the smile of your dreams.

At this point, you’re probably ready to schedule a consultation to discuss the smile makeover that’s best for you. Reach out to your family dentist to schedule a consultation. If you live or work in or near Austin, Texas, then now is the time to chat with Dr. Garcia. She can tailor a smile makeover just for you, based on your goals and needs. A combination of cosmetic solutions can work together to give you the smile of your dreams. Request an appointment today.