Strong Smile First: Why You Need a Healthy Mouth Before Cosmetic Dentistry

October 10, 2024

A happy woman pointing to her smile

If your grin doesn’t look too good, you likely want to get cosmetic dentistry ASAP. Fair enough – its services can make any smile worthy of Hollywood! Still, you may require treatment for your oral health first. A patient needs a healthy mouth before cosmetic dentistry can begin. As for the reason, your Glastonbury dentist will gladly explain things. Read on to learn why you need good oral health before cosmetic dental care, including some tips on managing oral health at home.

A Healthy Mouth Comes Before Cosmetic Dentistry

It may sound odd that your smile must be healthy before it can look great. However, having good oral health will make your later cosmetic care easier.

Oral health problems get in the way of cosmetic dentistry and its treatments. When teeth and gums are decayed or infected, they can keep aesthetic work from having the right effects. A cosmetic treatment could also hide a pre-existing issue that causes severe problems in the future.

Given these facts, cosmetic dentists perform oral exams before they perform any treatments. Doing so lets them see if you have dental problems that’d interfere with a later procedure. If they find anything, they can address your smile’s health issues before cosmetic work occurs.

Health-Dependent Cosmetic Dental Services

For proof of the claims above, consider the health-dependent cosmetic procedures listed below. They include the following:

Porcelain Veneers

Note that porcelain veneers fix smile flaws by covering the fronts of teeth. If a treated tooth has (or gets) a cavity, it’ll have to have its shell removed to correct the decay. That would force you to repeat the veneer process later, costing you extra time and money.

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening can (and does) bleach away tooth stains and whiten your enamel. However, its bleaching agents don’t work very well on decayed areas. The treatment also wouldn’t do much good if you have infected teeth that fall out over time.

Invisalign Clear Braces

Invisalign makes crooked grins straight with its high-quality plastic aligner trays. Even so, its alignment effects can dislodge teeth already weakened by decay and infection. Plus, the straightening process isn’t that helpful when it features tooth loss as well.

Manage Your Oral Health at Home

As it turns out, you can manage your oral health at home before you get cosmetic dentistry. Just follow these tips and tricks:

  • Brush your teeth twice daily for two minutes at a time.
  • Floss between your teeth at least once a day.
  • Use a dentist-approved mouthwash.

You’ll need a healthy mouth first before cosmetic dentistry can do its job. So, consult your dental provider about ways to make your smile stronger!

About the Practice

Glastonbury Dental Associates is based in Glastonbury, CT. Led by our four excellent dentists, our practice provides every patient with high-quality dental care. You can see us for preventive, cosmetic, and even restorative treatments, as well as emergency oral services. That way, your smile has everything it needs to be strong and beautiful for a lifetime! For more details or to book a visit, please reach us on our website or by phone at (860)-633-3671.