You may be eager to pursue cosmetic dentistry in order to address chipped teeth, enamel stains, and other imperfections on your smile. However, the process will have to wait if your dentist finds any signs of tooth decay or gum disease in your mouth. Such oral health issues need to be properly addressed before you can worry about the way your smile looks. Here’s why you need to make sure your mouth is healthy before you can get started with cosmetic dentistry.
How Can Poor Oral Health Cause Problems with Cosmetic Dentistry?
Trying to have cosmetic dentistry performed on teeth that are currently suffering from cavities can lead to all sorts of issues based on the treatment. For example, if the cavity is covered by a veneer, it will be significantly more difficult to treat. On top of that, teeth whitening can cause pain in a decayed tooth. Cavities and teeth whitening can both make teeth more sensitive; thus, combining the two can result in serious discomfort.
Patients with gum disease can have similar issues. The condition is caused by the accumulation of harmful oral bacteria. Placing veneers can give these bacteria more places to hide, thus potentially making gum disease worse. Furthermore, teeth whitening could further irritate the already inflamed gum tissue.
How Can You Improve Your Oral Health Before Cosmetic Dentistry?
You will likely be eligible for cosmetic dentistry again once your oral health issues have been taken care of. Cavities can be dealt with in a few different ways depending on how advanced they are. A small cavity can often be repaired with a simple filling. On the other hand, more extensive decay that has already reached the pulp of the tooth may require a root canal treatment.
As for gum disease treatment, you can often expect your dentist to recommend a scaling and root planing procedure. This involves removing the plaque and tartar that are contributing to gum disease from the area around and beneath your gumline. Afterward, the roots of the teeth are smoothed out, which can reduce the chances of bacteria accumulating on those spots in the future.
Rest assured that you can count on your dentist to point you toward the treatments that are needed to get your oral health back on track. Once that’s done, they can also work with you to create a plan for enhancing your smile with carefully chosen cosmetic dentistry services.
About the Author
Dr. Admasu Gizachew (also known as Dr. G by his patients) went to New York University for his dental education. He has earned Top Dentist awards in New Jersey and New York for many years in a row. His Brick Township practice, Nu Dental Brick, offers a wide range of services, including fillings, root canal treatment, gum disease treatment, and cosmetic dentistry. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Gizachew, visit his website or call (732) 475-7535.