Wondering what a smile makeover is? We'll tell you everything you need to know and how to take care of your smile after you've had cosmetic dentistry.

Brush Your Teeth Several Times Every Day

Every dentist will tell you, including your dentist in Centreville, VA, that you need to brush your teeth every day to make sure your teeth stay in good shape. But the problem is that dentists don't often explain why it's so important to brush your teeth. The root of the problem has to do with various strains of bacteria that live in your mouth.

These bacteria are pretty harmless until you eat something, especially something sugary. That's because these bacteria love to consume sugar, and when they do, they produce a nasty waste product: acid. You might be thinking about how there could be acid in your mouth without you realizing it. 

The acid that the bacteria produce is not strong enough to cause you any pain, but it is strong enough to damage your tooth enamel. If you don't brush your teeth for quite some time, this acid will slowly strip away the layers of enamel on your teeth. You won't notice this happening at first because it happens at a slow rate.

However, you might notice that your teeth are unusually sensitive. This is because your enamel has become so thin due to the degradation that it can no longer protect the roots and more sensitive tissues deeper inside your teeth. Cavities will also start to form at this point, along with plaque and tartar. 

Plaque is a sticky substance that the bacteria produce over your teeth. It will turn into a hard substance called tartar that only your Centerville VA dentist will be able to remove. Tartar can also inflame your gums and cause gum disease.



So, if you don't want to lose the money you spent on your smile makeover, don't forget to brush your teeth. 

Avoid Too Much Sugar

If you have gotten veneers, crowns, or other cosmetic dentistry procedures during your smile makeover, you may think that your teeth are especially protected. However, this is not the case. If you want your smile makeover to last, you will need to take care of your cosmetic dental work as much as you would your real teeth. 

As mentioned before, the reason why sugar is bad is that the bacteria in your mouth will turn it into acid. The problem is that many people don't realize how much sugar they eat. When most people think of sugar, they think of hard candy or chocolate. 

However, sugar doesn't always have to be in the form of candy. Many people forget that potatoes, bread, rice, and pasta are all made of carbohydrates which are complex sugars. Whenever you eat these foods, the bacteria in your mouth will try to turn the carbs into acid as they would with candy. 

Sodas and energy drinks are the worst of the worst when it comes to preserving your smile makeover. These drinks are loaded with sugar, and they themselves are acidic. So, as you drink them, you will slowly be wearing down your teeth, whether they're real or not. 

Some people have the bad habit of sipping on sodas or energy drinks all day. While these drinks can be addicting, it is important that you don't sip on them all the time. If you do, you are essentially bathing your teeth in acid at all times. 



While you don't have to cut sugar out of your diet, you should try to limit it so you won't need to have another smile makeover in your future. 

Avoid Things That Stain Your Teeth

The great thing about a smile makeover, especially if you get veneers or crowns, is that your teeth will be brilliantly white. However, that white smile won't last forever if you often consume things that will stain your teeth. Coffee is a big culprit when it comes to dental stains. 

Coffee is very dark and full of very tiny particles that can stick to your teeth and create stains. You can prevent this by brushing your teeth right after drinking coffee, but you might also want to limit your coffee consumption. Red wine and dark fruit juices can do the same thing. 



Smoking is also a problem when it comes to keeping your teeth white. The nicotine smoke will turn your teeth yellow or brown. While smoking once in a while might not be a problem, chain-smoking will certainly discolor your teeth. 

Preserving Your Makeover

If you want your cosmetic dentistry smile makeover to last as long as possible, you will have to make some changes to your dental hygiene habits. By brushing every day, limiting your sugar intake, and avoiding things that stain your teeth, your smile makeover should last for a long time. 

To learn more and book an appointment, check out our services.