An unsightly smile can be frustrating, causing self-consciousness and sometimes even the avoidance of social situations. Fortunately, advances in modern technology have improved cosmetic dentistry treatment options to help you enjoy healthier and more beautiful teeth. Many cosmetic dentistry options are available to address a variety of dental problems, including stains and discolorations, gaps or alignment issues, irregular sizing or shape, chips or cracks, and missing teeth.
While the results of modern-day cosmetic dentistry treatments can provide a dramatic improvement in your smile, it is critical to care for cosmetic treatments the right way. This helps ensure longer-lasting results, better oral health, and a lower risk for unnecessary complications.
The first few days after a procedure are some of the most important. This is the time when the oral tissues heal and anything that has been mounted in place will fully set or cure. For more invasive treatments, such as implants, it can take weeks for the soft tissues to heal and even longer for the materials to fully fuse to bone. As your mouth adjusts to your new smile, be sure to take good care of your teeth and gums.
Every type of cosmetic dentistry procedure is different. Some will come with temporary dietary restrictions to prevent discomfort, staining, or damage to new dental work. Others may require patients to refrain from drinking through a straw or spitting until incisions can heal. While many procedures result in little to no discomfort, others could result in temporary pain and inflammation. It is important to follow a dentist's recommendations for pain medication and follow-up care to keep these to a minimum while preventing unwanted side effects.
If your teeth or gums are tender or sensitive after a procedure, it may be tempting to avoid brushing or flossing. However, failure to clean your teeth can lead to increased inflammation and can raise the risks of stains, decay, and infection. Brush and floss gently, taking extra care around the treatment area. Drinking a lot of water, particularly tap water that usually contains fluoride, is helpful in gently rinsing food particles from your teeth. Ask a dentist about when and how to resume normal dental hygiene practices after a cosmetic dentistry session. Once you are feeling back to normal, maintain a good schedule of personal and professional dental care. Use a whitening toothpaste to care for your teeth, but avoid any with baking soda, which is too abrasive for veneers or bonding. Consider scheduling touch-up appointments for whitening and to ensure your natural teeth continue to match the color of your restorations.
Certain foods that are high in tannins or made with artificial colors can stain teeth and ruin whitening treatments. They can also stain the materials used in cosmetic dentistry, especially crowns, veneers, or onlays made from porcelain or ceramic. Foods high in tannins include apples, apricots, barley, basil, blueberries, coffee, cranberries, dry fruits, grapes, mint, peaches, rosemary, strawberries, tea, and wine. For the first few days, it can also be helpful to avoid hot and cold food and drink options, as these extremes in temperature can make oral sensitivity worse.
If your cosmetic dentistry procedure included restorations with bonding, crowns, or veneers, use caution when eating hard or crunchy foods. Extremely hard foods such as almonds or ice cubes should be chewed using teeth that do not have restorations on them, as they could possibly cause damage by requiring the teeth to exert too much force.
If you grind or clench your teeth at night or during stressful situations like driving, you may benefit from a mouthguard, as these behaviors can cause damage to cosmetic restorations. Ask your dentist about getting a custom nightguard to protect cracking or damaging teeth with bonding, veneers, or crowns.
If you are not satisfied with your teeth for any reason, whether it is discoloration, missing teeth, or a crooked smile, you should know that you have options available to correct these issues. Cosmetic dentistry treatments can improve the look, function, and health of your smile. Properly caring for your teeth is critical, especially for the first few days after any type of procedure. Be sure to check with your dentist and follow any instructions carefully to ensure prompt healing without unwanted side effects. Cleaning your teeth properly, eating proper foods, and using protective appliances will help to maintain your new smile, create a better outcome, and ensure longer-lasting results.
Request an appointment here: https://artisandentalbellevue.com or call Artisan Dental Bellevue at (425) 454-2005 for an appointment in our Bellevue office.
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