How can I spring-clean my teeth?

There’s nothing like a great smile to lift our spirits. Now is a great time to freshen up our smile with spring-clean teeth!

My teeth used to look much brighter?

When we look in the mirror, it may seem that our smile has faded. Our teeth have lost their gleam, and have a tired, worn look. That’s because teeth age, just like the rest of us. It’s a sad fact that over the years, our teeth begin to look older. Here’s why.

The colour of our teeth changes

Over time, our teeth becomes darker. Usually because of pigmentation in food and drink, also, for smokers, tobacco causes discolouration. As tiny cracks in the enamel develop over time, the staining is ingrained. Some medications can also cause the teeth to darken.

Tooth enamel wears thin

When it’s in pristine condition, the hard enamel of our teeth reflects light so they look shiny and bright. Again, with wear, the enamel loses condition and our smile loses some of its original dazzle. Loss of tooth enamel may make your teeth feel sensitive too.

Some of our teeth shift their position

With changes in our bone density, as well as wear, our teeth can begin to move out of line. Uneven teeth can appear aging, and may make eating less comfortable. For our overall health, it’s important that our teeth are correctly aligned.

There are solutions to help us smile more!

Step1: We need to check our home oral hygiene routine is up to scratch.

When we clean our teeth, we need to set a timer for two minutes, at least twice a day. And we can’t skip using floss and interdental brushes. It’s worth investing in an electric toothbrush too. There are many toothpastes and  mouthwashes on the market that help to maintain the shine and lustre of our tooth enamel. Why not ask your dentist to recommend products that work?

Step 2: Book a hygiene appointment for a good clean and polish.

SpaDental offers “direct access” which means you don’t have to have an appointment with the dentist first. If you want a thorough spring clean for your teeth, you can book an appointment directly with your hygienist or therapist. This is great news, as it saves the cost of an extra appointment. Also it means that you can have regular clean-ups easily as part of a preventive oral hygiene routine. If your therapist or hygienist does spot a possible problem that the dentist should check, then of course s/he will let you know. Direct access really is a quick route to spring-clean teeth.

• Oral hygiene appointments

Step 3: Talk with your dentist about tooth whitening.

Although teeth come in many shades, from cream to beige, teeth which are paler look cleaner. The only safe way to lighten teeth, and the most effective, is under the supervision of your dentist.

Although there are high-street kits available for a low price, they do not contain the effective active ingredients your dentist can offer. We recommend asking your dentist about whitening because you don’t want to harm your teeth or mouth. Your dentist can make up custom-fitted trays that will hold the whitening fluid evenly against the surfaces of your teeth, preventing leakage onto the gums and soft tissue. You will be surprised by the difference that proper tooth-whitening can make to the colour of your teeth.

• Our answers to FAQs about tooth whitening

Step 4: Tooth straightening isn’t just for teenagers!

It’s easy to joke that having braces will make you look like a teenager. But the joy of wearing clear aligners is that while your teeth are being gently moved to their optimum position, no-one else will notice you’re wearing them.

• Clear braces explained (Invisalign or C-thru)

Step 5: Learn more about how to pay for private dental care.

If you think your smile would benefit from cosmetic dental treatments you may dismiss the idea because you’re concerned about the cost. It’s worth having an initial consultation with a dentist, however, to find out what a treatment plan to fix your teeth would involve. That way, you can decide whether it’s worth it or not. For example, you may think you need a whole set of dental veneers, but perhaps your dentist can work some magic with only one veneer and tooth whitening. It’s worth asking.

• Paying for your treatment

Yet these days there are ways to spread the cost. As the NHS does not pay for cosmetic work to be done – it will only cover work that is clinically necessary – private dentistry enables patients to have treatments that they would like to have, but which are not essential.  Great looking teeth are affordable with cost-spreading options.

We’ll help you to spring clean teeth!

• Find your nearest practice.
• Welcoming new patients. What happens in a new patient appointment. Are you ready for spring clean teeth!?

Your nearest SpaDental team will be happy to answer your questions, and help you to access the treatments you need to freshen up your smile. Get in touch with us to find out more.

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