With Valentine's Day fast approaching, many people wonder how they can charm a loved one or someone they admire who makes their heart skip a beat. People often gauge the suitability of a potential partner based on appearance. Poorly maintained teeth can make them think that you don't care about personal hygiene. At the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa, we know that it is not too late to make a great impression with your smile by this Valentine's Day. Consider these ways that we can help you quickly create a bright and beautiful smile:
Schedule a Check Up and Teeth Cleaning
One of the fastest ways to improve a smile is with an oral exam followed by a thorough deep cleaning of the teeth and gums. During the exam, your dentist can determine if you have any new or worsening dental, gum or other oral issues that they need to address, such as a cavity, a chipped or cracked tooth, wear from nighttime grinding or gum disease. You might even learn during this session that you are experiencing inflammation from a dental problem that has made your face look swollen.
Once the exam ends, the fastest method then to improve the look of your smile is an in-office cleaning. A certified experienced dental hygienist or assistant gently removes any tartar that standard brushing and flossing alone can't force away from the teeth or gum line. Tartar is made of hardened materials, such as dead bacteria and calcium and magnesium minerals excreted from saliva, that build up on hard-to-clean surfaces. After the cleaning, the dental technician correctly flosses around every tooth and then uses a polish to give you a glossy, "pearly white" smile.
Invest in Laser or Take-Home Teeth Whitening
People often drink beverages or take medications that discolor their teeth. They might also have discoloration from a health condition or past poor dental care. Whatever the case, you can typically whiten or at least lighten the stains with a teeth-whitening solution. In-office laser treatments and take-home kits are the most common professional solutions.
With laser teeth whitening, you can see 7 to 12 shades of brightness improvement in approximately 30 minutes to an hour, respectively. You then use a whitening gel between appointments to help maintain the results. If you only want to use a take-home teeth whitening solution, then your dentist can provide you with a kit that includes brightening gel and a tray. This professional solution works better than comparable whitening gel and strip products found in stores. Although this process is not as fast as laser treatment, patients often see some immediate brightening. You can also expect to reach 6 or more shades of improvement within 3 to 14 days.
Explore Other Cosmetic Brightening Options
Lastly, many people have significant tooth decay that requires a bit of additional treatment. Your dentist can use composite resin fillings instead of metal so that the appearance of your smile isn't impacted at all by one or more fillings in the front teeth. They have access to composite color and materials options that match a variety of tooth shades, which means you don't need to worry about the composite looking out of place. In fact, you might not be able to tell the difference between the filling and your actual tooth.
If you learn that the work required to restore your smile might take too long this year, you shouldn't allow that to deter you from preparing ahead for opportunities to charm people with your smile at future intimate meals and events. For example, your dentist might recommend the use of Invisalign to straighten your teeth instead of traditional metal braces. They might also recommend cosmetic onlays, inlays, veneers or even implants to brighten and perfect your smile.
The Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa provides these and many other services to help patients achieve a smile that gains them positive attention not only on Valentine's Day but every day for the rest of their lives. To learn more about this topic from a member of our caring staff or to schedule a dental appointment, call us today.
