No one should ever feel uncomfortable about their smile, but, unfortunately, many people do. As the best dentist in Pittsburgh, we often encourage people to take action on their smile if they feel self conscious about it. But what can you do to fix your smile? We break down what you can do for a full smile makeover. 

Do I need a smile makeover?

The Best Dentist In Pittsburgh tells when you may need a smile makeover

If you’re insecure about your smile, that may be holding you back from being your most confident self. Fixing your smile is nothing to be ashamed of, and it could help you with the health of your teeth long term if you do decide to get work done to fix your teeth. Here’s some of the top reasons why people decide to get a smile makeover:

• They’re unhappy with the look of their smile. If you’re unhappy with your smile, it may be something you try to hide from others and may be self-conscious about. Holding back a smile because you feel unhappy with the way your teeth look should be something no one has to experience. Studies even show that smiling can help us boost our mood!
• They have teeth with untreated dental issues. The health of your teeth directly correlates with the health of your body. We need our teeth to chew food that provides us with nutrition we need to live. So, if you have dental issues that are untreated, it may impact your health. If you’re in pain because of untreated dental issues, you could be in some need of dental work. 
• Their teeth are poorly aligned. Whether you have an overbite, an underbite, or even crowded teeth, misaligned teeth can cause pain or discomfort. People with straight teeth are less likely to get cavities and have a reduced risk of gum disease because straight teeth are easier to clean and floss. People with straight teeth also experience less wear on their enamel due to chewing. Beyond that, straightening your teeth can help alleviate headaches and any TMJ pain they may have.
• They have chipped or injured teeth. Chipped, broken, or fractured teeth can bring on lots of problems if left untreated. If you don’t get it fixed by a dentist immediately, you run the risk of even more damage to the tooth and it could lead to an infection.
• They’re missing teeth. Beyond the aesthetic problems that come with missing teeth, you may also experience some health problems too. When untreated, missing teeth can cause your other teeth to shift in place, causing misalignment. You also may experience difficulty chewing foods, which could cause you to shift your diet towards softer foods, which may cause a lack of nutrition. 

What can I do to improve my smile?

Dental procedures to help improve your smile

Depending on what you’re looking to fix about your smile, there are plenty of ways to help you regain your confidence in your smile. Some options are non-invasive while others will take some time for you to completely fix your smile. Check out the ways you can improve your smile:

• Whiten your teeth. Teeth whitening or bleaching is used to remove any enamel discolorations you have that could have been caused by staining, aging, or any chemical damage to your teeth. Most commonly, people experience tooth discoloration from coffee, smoking, or different medications. Many dentists offer different levels of whitening to suit your needs. 
• Get a crown. Dental crowns are a cap that’s placed over an existing tooth to protect a weak tooth, restore a broken tooth, or cover discolored teeth. A crown can help restore a tooth’s shape and size to help strengthen your teeth overall. 
• Get veneers. Veneers are an option for people who have stained, chipped, or crooked teeth. They’re a small, thin, custom-made shell designed to cover the front side of teeth. Dental technicians make veneers in a dental lab working from a model. Veneers are an irreversible process because your dentist will have to remove some enamel from your tooth to place the veneer, so make sure you consider all of your options before going with a veneer. 
• Get braces. With misaligned teeth, you may want to get braces. Braces can help straighten your teeth and your bite for a straighter smile. Plus, metal braces aren’t your only option. You can get ceramic braces, lingual braces, or utilize treatments like Invisalign. 
• Get implants. If you’re missing a tooth and your remaining teeth haven’t shifted too much, you may want to consider getting implants. Through dental surgery, your dentist will place a metal implant in your tooth meant to anchor replacement teeth like crowns. 

Smile makeover aftercare

Aftercare tips from the best dentist in Pittsburgh

Depending on what you choose to do to improve your smile, you may need to take some time to recover. Here are our aftercare tips to help you after your smile makeover. . 

• Brush and floss regularly. No matter what treatment you go with, you should continue to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once per day. You may want to opt to use a toothbrush with soft bristles if you’ve chosen to go with a surgery. Always follow your dentist’s recommendations for brushing and flossing after your treatment. 
• Steer clear of hot and cold foods. For at least the first couple days following your treatment, try to avoid extremely hot or cold foods as your teeth will likely be sensitive. Try to eat softer foods as your mouth recovers. Once you start to feel better, you can re-introduce more solid foods back into your diet. 
• Avoid smoking. Especially after surgery, don’t smoke until you’ve properly healed. Smoking causes damage to your gums, which can hinder your healing process. 
• Get lots of rest. Depending on which route you go, you may feel tired after your treatment. Get lots of rest after your treatment to ensure a quicker recovery. 

There are plenty of options for you to improve your smile. As the best dentist in Pittsburgh, we want to help you get the best smile you can have. Want to get started on your smile makeover today? Get in touch with Dental & Aesthetics of Pittsburgh today.