Your smile is often the first feature that people notice about you, meaning that you should want it to look its absolute best! But in order to undergo cosmetic dentistry, it’s important to have optimal oral health to reduce the likelihood of complications. Here’s more about why from your cosmetic dentist in Harrisonburg.
Why You Should Prioritize Your Smile’s Health
When you visit your dentist to inquire about cosmetic dental work, one of the first things they’ll do is inspect your mouth to ensure it’s in good health in addition to discussing your smile goals with you. This is because existing oral health issues can actually remain hidden, or sometimes even become worsened, by certain cosmetic treatments.
A few examples of this include a veneer being placed over a cavity—the cavity will still need to be fixed, sooner or later. Similarly, gum disease can cause enhanced teeth to shift or appear too long due to gum recession. This means that your smile needs to be in good shape before your dentist will clear you for cosmetic dental work. Not to mention, simply caring for your smile will prevent issues that’ll end up causing you a good bit of discomfort!
Potential Threats to Your Smile’s Health and Beauty
There are various threats that exist and pose danger to both the look and feel of your smile, but two of the most common threats are gum disease and tooth decay. These issues are widespread and have the tendency to worsen if left untreated, but fortunately, they can be mitigated and managed. Here’s a little more about each of these issues:
- Gum disease – Believe it or not, about half of all US adults over the age of 30 have some form of gum disease. And when left untreated, it can cause various problems including gum recession, tooth loss, and more. The infection even has the potential to spread to the rest of your body! Needless to say, due to the severity of this condition, cosmetic treatment isn’t an option until it’s been cleared up.
- Tooth decay – Most of the time, a cavity is the reason for a patient needing to delay cosmetic treatment; fortunately, cavities and decay are completely treatable! There are many options for addressing decayed teeth including crowns and veneers, both of which also serve as aesthetic solutions too. In any case, decay needs to be addressed before you’re able to carry on with cosmetic treatment.
Dentists are well-equipped to treat the issues that threaten the health and beauty of your smile, so you shouldn’t feel discouraged if you need some form of dental treatment before you can undergo cosmetic enhancement. By knowing why good oral health matters prior to cosmetic treatment, you might feel incentivized to keep things in great shape—the dazzling smile you can achieve is worth the effort!
About the Practice
Harrisonburg Family & Cosmetic Dentistry proudly serves the dental needs of the Harrisonburg community. The practice is led by the awesome team of Dr. Mario DeNicola and Dr. Monisha Khanna, who have several collective years of experience in a wide range of fields including cosmetic dentistry. If you have any questions about the article or would like to arrange a visit, you can contact the practice online or by phone for assistance: (540) 432-6616.