Things They Don’t Tell You When You Improve Your Smile
We all think we know what happens when we go out of our way to improve our smile at the dentist, but there are several things they don’t tell you when you try to do it.
Let’s say that you want braces. Here’s everything you need to know about the experience:
You don’t have to get a mould of your teeth done anymore
20 years ago, you didn’t really have any other options other than getting a mould of your teeth done if you wanted to wear some sort of orthodontics or prosthetics, like braces. Technology has moved on considerably since then. It’s now possible to scan your teeth using a minimally invasive wand.
The idea is to place a pen-shaped wand in your mouth and then scan all of the surfaces of your teeth and upload it to a computer. Many of these systems play relaxing music while they are operating and update the scan to a screen that the dentist can see in real time. They can view your teeth in all of their glory and see exactly the type of brace that you require to return them to their optimal positions.
You become a professional food checker
Another thing that happens when you start improving your smile is that you become a professional food checker. For example, let’s say that you’re using Invisalign or some sort of orthodontic braces setup. You need to avoid foods that are too hard and crunchy in order to avoid damaging the prosthetics. This means that you need to be careful when eating crusty bread, tortilla chips, and even apples.
When you’re also looking to improve your smile, you take extra care when consuming foods that are likely to stain your mouth. For example, you might sip your iced coffee out of a straw so that the liquid hits the back of your throat instead of drinking it through your front teeth, which could discolour them.
Your face shape can change
Another thing you might notice when you improve your smile is that your entire face shape can actually change. Modern orthodontics don’t just shift your teeth; they move the bone around in your mouth and change how your jaw falls when it closes. Your teeth subtly support the lower third of your face, so altering their alignment, length, or thickness can lead to substantial changes in things like your mouth position. This can sometimes create a more lifted and youthful appearance.
Maintenance takes a lifetime
Finally, if you’re using aligners or veneers to improve your smile, the maintenance can take a lifetime. These systems can be highly effective and permanent, but they also require you to take care and pay extra attention, similar to looking after your biological teeth.
For example, let’s say that you get through a set of aligner trays and you think you’re done. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. You’ll need to wear a nighttime retainer indefinitely if you want them to stay in place. The same is true for veneers and bonding. Even though these don’t get cavities, the natural teeth underneath them can. For this reason, you need to be careful to maintain oral hygiene at all times to prevent any rot or decay from setting in.
