Did you know that just like fingerprints, no two people have the same set of teeth? Not even identical twins. You may not also realize that you actually start developing your own unique teeth while you are in your mother’s womb, even as early as six weeks after conception. So, your teeth are just for you. They are yours to chew with, yours to talk through, and yours to smile with. They are also yours to take care of. By brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and seeing a dentist every six months, you can prevent tooth problems, such as tooth decay, gingivitis, and other periodontal diseases.
You may not like going to the dentist, or even have odontophobia, which is classified in the Diagnostical and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as the fear of dentists. But there is no doubt that paying your dentist regular visits can greatly reduce the chances of developing harmful bacteria on your teeth that can lead to serious problems. Then you will have no choice but to see a dentist to fix your teeth.
If you are not careful, you may need to have cosmetic dental work done. This is a popular way of removing stains from teeth, whitening them, and also replacing missing teeth, especially for baby boomers, as more than half Americans that opt for cosmetic dental procedures are between the ages of 41 and 60. About 66% are also female, according to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
There are different options to choose from in terms of cosmetic dental procedures. You could ask for veneers, which are thin layers of porcelain that are laid over the surface of your teeth. They can hide any damage to existing teeth, and protect them from further harm. You could also opt for dental implants, which involve surgery to replace a missing tooth with an artificial root using a titanium rod, and then fastening a new tooth to the rod.
Even though cosmetic dental procedures give you options in dental care, keep in mind that they are not cheap. Veneers and dental implant prices can reach the thousands for each tooth, making affordable cosmetic dentistry hard to secure. The better thing to do is to take care of your teeth properly. In any case, seeing your dentist regularly will be the best way to not only get a regular cleaning, but be sure that you are developing any harmful periodontal diseases. So, you just might need to face your fears. Find out more about this topic here.