The Dentist Can Improve Your Smile

If you are unhappy with your smile, there are various steps that you can take to improve it. If you have an uneven grin, there are certain facial exercises that can be done to strengthen your jaw and cheek muscles, thereby helping to make your smirk more symmetrical. Studies have shown that symmetrical faces are viewed as more beautiful or handsome than asymmetrical faces. If teeth are the issue, then a visit to the dentist is exactly what you need. There are numerous dental procedures that can be done to fix crookedness, improve whiteness and even repair a chipped or cracked tooth.

If your uneven grin is due to a prior stroke or lingering Bell's palsy, then you will need to seek the advice of a certified physical therapist in order to retrain the muscles in your face. Alternatively, you can use a facial muscle stimulator. You can also stimulate your facial muscles manually by practicing smiling in the mirror and using your own strength to force your face into an even smile. Doing this repeatedly will help you to retrain your muscles.

If the problem actually lies in the way that your teeth appear, a thorough consultation with the dentist can help immensely. Traditional braces can be used to help repair crookedness, but there is also a newer retainer-like style of braces called Invisalign that can assist in the straightening process, particularly if the problem is only mild to moderate. Veneers are another way to improve the look of the teeth. A veneer is a thin tooth-like layer that is made from resin composite or sometimes porcelain and is applied over the front surface of the natural tooth. Depending on the type used, some of the enamel may need to be removed from the tooth prior to the adherence of the veneer. There is a product on the market, however, that is ready to be applied without having to remove enamel.

As far as whitening goes, your dentist will have a multitude of options from which you can choose. Bleaching trays are still a popular choice among patients. The trays are custom fitted at the dental office and the treatments can be performed at home when it is convenient for you. If you are looking for quicker results, in office procedures can be done over the course of several weeks and in some cases even over the course of only a few hours. If you have any cracks or chips that need to be taken care of, resin composite can be used to fill these spaces in. The resin composite is tooth colored, so no one will know that it is even there.

Visiting the dentist and using strengthening exercises are both great ways to improve the look of your smile. You can accomplish this without having to break the bank, and some dental offices even offer financing programs. Remember that your pearly whites are the first thing that people notice when you greet them. Taking the time to get the best care possible should be at the top of your list of priorities.