Whilst it may be true that all the statistics in the world can’t measure the warmth of a smile, there are some things we can do to improve our chances of smiling ‘more warmly’.
A warm smile wins you friends, wins you business and makes those around you happy. Who wouldn’t want a warm smile (apart from The Grinch, maybe?).
Of course, not everyone is born with teeth they can be proud of.
It would be nice to give off a wide beam that would compete with any Hollywood star, but all too often there’s something in the way – be it discoloured teeth, missing molars or crooked gnashers.
This then affects how warm your smile is – if you’re hesitant in smiling, how can it ever be great? Think how much more effort you would put into your smile if you were confident in the state of your teeth.
A great smile is thought of as showing off white teeth, which are straight and of a similar length. Think Tom Cruise and Jenifer Aniston.
The good news is that cosmetic dentistry is no longer reserved for celebrities or the rich and famous as today’s procedures are both accessible and available for everyone.
Drinking too much coffee or alcohol, smoking and the natural ageing process can all make your teeth look yellow and discoloured. Teeth grow unevenly and often there isn’t enough room in the mouth so they grow crooked.
And, of course, it’s all too easy to lose a tooth when playing sports or in an accident.
The good news is that your dentist has the power to give you a great smile. Cosmetic dentistry can brighten dull teeth, whiten stained teeth, close gaps between teeth, repair chipped teeth, mask metal fillings, and straighten crooked teeth.
A full MOT of your teeth is often referred to as a ‘smile makeover’. With a smile makeover a cosmetic dentist can restore the teeth to a more natural, pleasing appearance with a variety of different techniques and procedures to improve the colour, shape and size of the teeth.
Teeth whitening is done using laser or power bleaching. A concentrated peroxide-based gel is applied directly to your teeth and then the gel is activated with heat or light. The treatment usually takes around an hour.
Invisible braces
If you have teeth that look like tombstones and wish you had had braces as a child, your dentist now has the option of using ‘invisible’ braces. These are proving popular with adults who hate the idea of having a mouth full of metal, like a teenager. Invisible braces are nearly invisible, removable aligners that you change every two weeks for the next set of aligners. Each aligner is individually manufactured for your teeth, and your teeth only.
As you replace each aligner, your teeth will move – little by little, week by week – until they have straightened to the final position prescribed by your dental practitioner.
Other treatments
Other procedures which you might need for that ‘great smile’ include implants, crowns and veneers. Your dentist will advise you as to the best procedures for you.
Of course, once you get the perfect smile you need to keep it. This means a good oral health routine. A good oral hygiene routine is something the British Dental Health Foundation considers extremely important to maintain great teeth.
Spend three minutes twice a day brushing your teeth. Floss your teeth thoroughly, gently scrape your tongue with the rounded edge of a tongue scraper and rinsing with a mouthwash will all help you maintain your great smile.
For more, visit www.myfacemybody.com.
