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From cosmetic reasons to health concerns, there are many different reasons why someone may want to straighten their teeth. Even if you had braces growing up, you may have noticed some shifting, especially if you didn’t wear a retainer after treatment. But if you’re looking for ways to get a straighter smile without traditional orthodontics, turn to your dentist in Holland. 

Ways to Straighten Teeth

Whether or not you had braces as a teen, you may find yourself wanting to improve the appearance of your smile by straightening your teeth. Or perhaps your dentist in Holland has suggested straightening your teeth for oral health reasons. Either way, you now have options that don’t include metal braces. 

• Clear Aligners

Thanks to advancements in dental technology, we can now get straight teeth almost invisibly through the use of clear aligners. These tough, plastic aligners are designed to slowly move your teeth and are meant to be worn throughout the day and night. Now, you may have seen commercials for at-home orthodontic treatment through clear aligners. But before you begin this type of treatment, talk with your dentist. 

• Veneers

Veneers are a type of cosmetic dentistry that can not only help straighten teeth but can also help hide other imperfections such as chips or discoloration. They are custom-made to your ideal shape, size, and color and are adhered to the front surface of your teeth. The result is a seamless improvement in the appearance and alignment of your smile.

• Crowns

Another treatment that can help straighten a twisted tooth or two is a dental crown. Your dentist in Holland will remove some of the natural tooth structure to make room for a crown, often called a cap. The crown will be custom in size, shape, and color. 

• Contouring & Bonding

Usually reserved for minor crooked teeth, contouring and bonding can transform the shape of teeth to make them straighter and easier to clean in between. Contouring treatment will remove small amounts of enamel to reshape the tooth then, in some cases, bonding may be used to smooth out the area. Bonding may also be used on its own to fix a tooth that appears to sit back too far.

Benefits of Straight Teeth

There are numerous benefits to a straight smile. Of course, there are the cosmetic factors of wanting a gorgeous set of perfectly aligned teeth. But did you know that there are other little-known positives to having your teeth straighter? 

• Healthier Teeth – Straighter teeth are easier to clean, which often means fewer cavities and a reduced risk for other dental problems such as gum disease and tooth deterioration. 
• No More Jaw Pain – Crooked teeth can sometimes cause the jaw to be misaligned. This can lead to TMD (or TMJ disorder). TMJ is an often painful condition that can cause headaches, ear problems, and jaw pain. 
• Improved Digestion – Believe it or not, straighter teeth can even help your body digest foods. Straight teeth allow you to chew more efficiently which is easier on the digestion process.  

If you’ve been feeling self-conscious about your smile and you’ve been looking to elevate the appearance of your teeth, or if you’re having trouble cleaning your teeth completely, talk with your dentist in Holland about how cosmetic dentistry can help straighten your teeth. 

Smoking can be harmful to many parts of your body, including your teeth. It increases the likelihood of tooth discoloration, cavities, and oral cancer, among other things, so it’s no surprise that quitting smoking can improve oral health. If you currently smoke but are interested in quitting, let your dentist in Holland help you learn how you can start improving your oral health the minute you put out that last cigarette.

Why Should You Quit Smoking? 

If you smoke, you’re probably all too aware of your oral health. Smokers tend to get bad breath and discolored teeth due to tobacco stains. But smoking affects more than just your smile. Cigarette smoke is responsible for some serious health issues, including oral cancer and gum disease. When you quit smoking, however, that doesn’t necessarily mean that all worries go away. If you want your teeth to look (and smell) their best once you kick tobacco for good, be sure to check out these facts.

What Smoking Does To Oral Health

Smoking can be an incredibly hard habit to quit. But the benefits of all the hard work that goes into quitting are well worth it. Cigarette smoke contains high levels of nicotine, tar, and chemicals that can stain teeth. Eventually, all these substances become trapped in plaque deposits on your teeth. If left untreated for a long period of time, cigarette-related stains can cause further damage to gum tissue leading to gum disease, tooth loss, and even oral cancer. However, if you talk with your dentist in Holland about quitting, you’ll find out that there are ways to improve your dental health in the process.  

What Happens To Teeth When You Quit Smoking? 

The health of your teeth and overall mouth can improve once you quit smoking, but it depends on a few things, such as your current oral health status and if you have any pre-existing dental issues. For most smokers, quitting comes with some level of initial bad breath and potential periodontal (gum) disease. For most people though, these symptoms of smoking cessation do get better over time. However, for some people, things may initially seem worse before they get better. It’s important to communicate with your dentist in Holland about your smoking status and if you’re trying to quit. They may be able to help reduce any oral health side effects. 

Quitting Reduces Risk

Stopping smoking reduces your risk of several health problems such as cancer and other diseases. In fact, just one to two years after quitting, the risk of heart attack drops dramatically. Additionally, quitting smoking can reduce the chances of developing oral cancer or gum disease and can reduce discoloration and the likelihood of suffering tooth loss. 

Quitting can be hard, but the American Cancer Society has several tools to help. The third Thursday each November is celebrated at the Great American Smokeout and is a great time to start a plan to kick the habit once and for all.