Healthy to Beautiful: Why You Need Good Oral Hygiene for Cosmetic Treatments

For centuries, health has been equated with beauty. That trend continues today, but it has evolved not only in a social sense but also in a scientific one. Cosmetic dentistry offers many ways to improve the aesthetics of your teeth, but only if they’re well-maintained to begin with.

To learn exactly what this connection means for the health of your teeth and your ability to undergo cosmetic dentistry treatments, continue reading.

What Are the Consequences of Poor Oral Hygiene?

Before digging into why healthy teeth are a requirement for most—if not all—cosmetic dentistry treatments, it’s important to understand the results of poor oral health.

Cavities and Tooth Decay

These are collectively known as dental caries, and form pits in your teeth caused by acid from bacterial plaque. These can cause infection in the teeth themselves as decay eats its way into the pulp chamber where all the blood vessels and nerves are.

Gum Disease and Bone Loss

This affliction occurs when the bacteria from plaque stays on your teeth and begins to build up under the gumline. There, it multiplies and spreads through your mouth. This can cause swelling, bleeding, and soreness in your gum tissue and lead to tooth loss.

If left unchecked, this disease can even begin to deteriorate the jawbone, damaging multiple teeth and causing painful dental abscesses.

How Do These Complications Interfere with Cosmetic Treatments?

While your dentists could provide you with cosmetic treatments with poor oral health, it would be irresponsible to do so. Tooth decay, gum disease, and bone loss all contribute to an unstable oral environment.

Applying dental veneers to the surface of decayed teeth, for example, would only make matters worse, by allowing the caries to spread and weaken the structure of the tooth. Soon, it would become infected, and the veneer would have to be removed. This wastes time for the dentist and money for the patient.

How Does Good Oral Hygiene Affect Cosmetic Treatments?

With a good environment to thrive in, cosmetic dental treatments avoid hurting the patient, and will last much longer.

It’s in your best interest to continue brushing twice a day, flossing regularly, and rinsing with antimicrobial mouthwash. This will keep the structure of your teeth intact while contributing to a beautiful smile and fresh breath.

If you want cosmetic treatments, you have to put in the effort to get your smile healthy. Your dentist is your best partner in this endeavor and will provide the means and the guidance you need. This will ensure that you can reach all of your smile goals.

About the Practice

Dr. Kenneth J. Canzoneri loves his job and is especially thankful that he gets to form bonds with so many wonderful patients. He earned his dental doctorate from the Northwestern Dental School and has since gone on to achieve great success. Dr. Canzoneri has studied with the prestigious Hornbrook Group and is also a graduate of Dr. Bob Lee’s bio-esthetic occlusion program. He also boasts several other academic achievements and works with multiple professional organizations. To schedule a cosmetic dentistry consultation at Kenneth J. Canzoneri, DDS, call (626) 446-1679 or visit the website to learn more.