You may be finally ready to take action and do something about your smile. You may after all have been living a self-conscious life, constantly worried about your appearance. Perhaps you've even been putting your hand in front of your mouth when you laugh, so people could not see your teeth. Yet what is it that you're not happy about? How can you and your dentist determine the best course of action for you now?
Being Realistic
It's unfortunate in many respects, but the marketing world is very good at making people feel unhappy with their appearance. Magazines and television screens are filled with picture perfect "Hollywood" smiles, which are not really the norm. Photo-shopping experts aside, many of these marketing smiles are based on years of careful and very specific attention and this is something that you probably don't have time for. So, you have to be realistic, but how do you work it all out?
Making up Your Mind
One of the first questions you have to ask yourself is what specifically do you dislike about your teeth at the moment. Is it their individual size, their shape or some element of discolouration? Do you feel that they're not spaced correctly, or that you may have some gaps in between?
Putting on a Show
When you are in your most natural state and your facial muscles are relaxed, do any of your teeth show? Are you happy with that situation? What happens when you smile? Do you feel that the "right" amount of teeth show then?
Choose Your Colour
Many people yearn after that "Hollywood" smile with a row of perfectly shiny white teeth. Is that realistic though, and would that outcome fit in with the general colour of your skin tone? Perhaps it would be better to have a variation in colour so that it is something in between where you are now and pearlescent white.
Some people are also unhappy that either their upper or lower gum shows when they're smiling and would like to do something about it.
Armed with a Plan
Identify all of these areas and arrive at your cosmetic dentist with a clear picture in your own mind. Remember, the dentist will see you from his or her own perspective and cannot read your mind. They may come up with a plan to improve your appearance, but unless you're very detailed from your side, don't expect them to be a mind reader. The more detailed you are, the better the outcome.
Share10 January 2017
I have tried to quit smoking three times over the last few years, but it never really stuck. My mother just got diagnosed with lung cancer, and it's given me the wakeup call that I have been waiting for. I have quit smoking again, but this time I spoke to my doctor before I started and it's made a lot of difference. He organised some nicotine replacement products and counselling to help me quit for good this time. I have started this blog to let people know how much easier it is to quit when your doctor is helping you.
