Surprising Ways A Cosmetic Dentist Keeps Your Teeth And Gums Healthy
When you think of a cosmetic dentist, chances are you think of someone who works to improve the look of your teeth and your smile. That's certainly the main reason that many people visit them, but the services of a cosmetic dentist can do so much more for you. This type of professional can actually keep your teeth and gums healthy in a variety of ways. Consider a few of those ways here, so you can understand how their services can help you.
1. Chipped teeth can be capped or bonded
A chipped tooth is not just unsightly; it's also dangerous for your mouth. Even a slight chip can mean a jagged or sharp edge that cuts against the inside of your cheek or against the gums. In turn, this type of open cut can harbor more germs and bacteria and be prone to infections.
Infections in the body can travel to other weakened areas. If you have an oral infection, it may soon lead to an infection in other places and grow stronger as it travels. An oral infection can also be very painful and lead to tooth decay and tooth loss. Rather than take this risk, it's good to have a cosmetic dentist simply put a cap over this tooth or use a bonding process to build it back up. This will protect the health of your mouth, your other teeth, and the rest of your body.
2. Missing teeth can be replaced
A missing tooth is also dangerous to the health of your mouth, as it means exposed gums. These allow germs and bacteria to build up. Teeth also rely on each other for support, so when one is missing, the other teeth may become loose and be at risk for falling out. The upper and lower jaws also need to rest on one another comfortably; if they don't, you can experience headaches, neck aches, and a variety of other ailments.
Replacing missing teeth is not as difficult as a person might assume. A false tooth can actually be screwed into the gum line so that it is a permanent replacement, and it looks exactly like your other teeth. A cosmetic dentist like James Tritton DDS PC can also fit you with a bridge, which is like a denture, but with just one tooth or as many teeth as are missing. You can wear the bridge during the day and protect your mouth from the risk of infection and give your other teeth the support they need.