How To Improve Your Dental Smile – A Manchester Dentist Explains

28 April 2017

How To Improve Your Dental Smile – A Manchester Dentist Explains

When it comes to a smile, Manchester residents will probably agree it’s one of our most important assets. Yet as we go through through the ageing process, teeth and gums can appear tarnished and weathered, taking away that appearance of a perfect smile. So the question is… As we get older how can we improve our smile without resorting to expensive cosmetic surgical measures. Our Alderley Edge dentist explains.

Let’s assume that you have relatively good teeth and aren’t in need of treatments such as dental implants Manchester. This being the case, there are a whole host of relatively quick treatments plus things that you can do at home to aid a brighter whiter smile. With this in mind, let’s take a closer look.

At home treatments

The first thing is not so much of a treatment, but more of a dietary change. While we all know that beverages such as red wine, coca cola and coffee can stain teeth, did you know that there are foods that you can eat that will actually help to whiten them? Celery and carrots in their raw state, for example, help to stimulate saliva which eradicates natural sugars from settling on your teeth. The abrasive texture of almonds, walnuts, cashews, and sunflower seeds acts as an exfoliator for your teeth and works to remove surface staining. Finally strawberries (don’t let the colour fool you) contain Malic acid. This acts as a natural astringent which helps to remove surface staining. By doing something as simple as changing your diet, you’ll not only feel healthier, you could have a brighter, whiter smile. Manchester residents will be pleased to know that this is a change that can be implemented easily and what’s more, it won’t break the bank either.

If you want to take it one stage further you can opt for teeth whitening kits. These are kits that you can purchase and use in the comfort of your own home. A word of warning… you kind of get what you pay for. For example over-the-counter teeth whitening strips and gels are very cheap but they contain very little bleaching agent. As a result they won’t be as effective as more expensive kits you can purchase from our Alderley Edge dentist. Although this sounds like shameless self promotion, it really isn’t. Professional bleaching kits purchased from the dentist are the next best thing to chair side treatment and have the ability to whiten teeth by up to 4-5 shades. Even so, when compared to other cosmetic dental treatments, professional teeth whitening kits are relatively cheap.

Chair-side treatments

In addition to take home teeth whitening treatments, patients who are looking to improve their smile might opt for a chair-side treatment. Often this is carried out as part of a treatment package like dental implants Manchester or a Smile Makeover. However it’s also effective as a stand-alone treatment. On average treatments take just 45 minutes so they can be carried out in as little as a lunch hour. What’s more patients can expect a significant difference in their smile after just one treatment.

If you have a particular tooth which is blemished or tarnished  and is spoiling the overall look of your smile, Manchester-based dentists might suggest dental bonding. It’s a relatively cheap and speedy non-surgical process designed to correct the appearance of bad teeth. It consists of a putty-like material which is coloured to match the whiteness of your other existing teeth before being  applied to the surface of the affected tooth to cover any cracks and blemishes. It’s then hardened, smoothed, and finally buffed to create a natural appearance.

While there are a multitude of other cosmetic dental treatments that you can have to improve your smile such as veneers, porcelain crowns, and dental implants Manchester, the above are by far the most cost-effective. If you’d like to talk more about how you can improve your smile come and talk to our Alderley Edge dentist. To book your consultation, call Church Road Dental and Cosmetics on 0161 486 0743 today.