A Westwood Village Dentist Can Be The Key To Improving Your Appearance And Oral Health

By Holly Morgan

Americans spend billions of dollars on creams, lotions, and self-tanning products that promise to make them look younger and more vibrant. They try the latest exercise crazes and diet fads. Many of them would do better to focus on their oral health and improving one of their most important assets, their smile. For Southern Californians who recognize the importance of a healthy smile, there is A Westwood Village Dentist with some answers.

Most people are familiar with the term cosmetic dentistry, but not everyone is exactly sure what these dentists do or what education they have. This is not the professional you go to see if you have serious gum disease or tooth decay. Cosmetic dentists specialize in procedures that will improve your appearance. Good cosmetic dentists have taken courses in the subject and focus their practices on it. Anyone who graduates from dental school can call himself a cosmetic dentist though.

Cosmetic dentists are most concerned with the way your teeth affect the look of your face. To improve overall appearance they offer such services as veneers, braces, teeth whitening, and colored crowns and fillings. This is not all vanity dentistry. When dentists close unsightly gaps between teeth it helps prevent cavities. Crowns stabilize teeth, and veneers help prevent decay.

Cosmetic dentists offer some services that don't occur to most people. The majority of them treat TMJ disorder. In simple terms, you probably have this problem when your jaws don't line up correctly. It can cause inflammation and chronic pain. Surgery was the only viable solution in the past, but today dentists can treat the condition in their offices. If you've ever been around a person whose jaw clicked, it was most likely caused by TMJ disorder.

Halitosis, or bad breath, is a common problem that most people don't want to talk about and hate to admit to. It can be caused by alcohol, medications, infections, bacteria, and tooth decay. Regular brushing, flossing, and checkups by your personal dentist will help you avoid this embarrassing problem in the first place. If the issue persists though, you may need a specialist to get to the underlying cause.

There are dozens of companies offering over the counter products promising to give you a better smile. Teeth whitening products are just one of them. Experts advise people that these items are no substitute for the dentist. The gels and strips aren't as strong as what you can get at the dentist's office. They can cause sensitivity too. If you want a really white smile, dental treatments are a must.

Any kind of dental work is expensive. If you have dental insurance, you may think it covers cosmetic dental treatments. It usually doesn't though. Original restorative work might be partially covered. Cosmetic dentists are aware of the problem, and most offer some kind of payment plan to overcome it.

Your smile tells a lot about you. If you are self-conscious about your teeth, you probably don't smile at all or cover your mouth when you do. When you know your teeth look great, you aren't afraid to smile at the world with confidence and pride. This can change your life in ways you would never have imagined.

About the Author:

You can get a complete overview of the advantages of using A Westwood Village Dentist and more info about well-respected A Westwood Village Dentist today.