World Oral Health Day is nearly here, and the theme for the year is ‘Be proud of your mouth’, encouraging everyone to take care of their mouth and be confident with their smile.

But, whilst regular brushing and flossing can keep our mouth squeaky clean, what happens when we turn to cosmetic dentistry for a helping hand?

In the spirit of World Oral Health Day, the experts at Dental Art Implants Clinic have delved into the facts behind cosmetic dentistry. They’ve uncovered how popular procedures can affect our health, and reveal the true cost of the ‘Hollywood Smile.’

Having a bright, white smile can be a real boost for your self confidence, but regular brushing isn’t always enough to lift tough stains from your teeth.

Teeth whitening is a quick and simple solution to yellowed teeth, but bleaching your teeth can damage protein in the dentin layer of the tooth, causing sensitivity and discomfort.

The solution used to whiten teeth can’t always be controlled either, leaking to your gums and turning them white, irritating your mouth even further.

Don’t bank on consistent results either, the experts found that results can vary from tooth to tooth, potentially leaving you with discolored teeth amongst bright, white ones!

Some people want to ensure they’ll have perfect, uniform pearly whites. For many, veneers are a great way to swap unsightly teeth for a stunning smile.

But Dental Art’s experts have found that the huge costs aren’t the only thing to take into consideration.

Veneers require the original tooth to be shaved down, in order to fit the thin shells over your gnashers. However, enamel can’t be regrown, so this procedure is a permanent change to your smile.

Veneers don’t last forever either, as they need to be replaced every five to 10 years. Dental Art’s experts found that this can cause unnecessary stress to your original teeth, with many people needing complete tooth replacements in the future.

Not all flaws need a complete set of veneers to fix. Composite bonds are a great choice for minor damage and gaps. But, nothing is as durable as your natural teeth.

They’re prone to breaking down and leaving teeth feeling rough and uneven. They’re also much more likely to stain, as the resin used is more porous than enamel.

Not everyone needs major procedures to alter their smile. Some flaws can be solved with cosmetic contouring, a more simple and inexpensive way to boost your confidence.

This is when a dentist uses a drill to gently remove some of your enamel to change the shape and length of the tooth.

Although, this still comes with its drawbacks. Dental Art’s experts found that the best results come from this procedure when performed on completely healthy teeth. It is also not a solution for any health issues you may have at the time.

It’s not always our teeth that can knock our confidence. Some people want to cut down their ‘gummy smile’ through cosmetic dentistry.

However, the experts found that it’s not always worth it. The risk of infection is high and the healing process can take up to a month. Also, gums can recede, undoing all of your dentist’s hard work, and wasting your precious cash.

Dr Petya Chaprazova at Dental Art Implant Clinics said: “We know that people can feel self conscious when it comes to dealing with problematic teeth. Having yellowed teeth, a chip or even a gap can make us want to hide away from the camera and stifle our smile.

“We believe that everyone deserves to smile with confidence, but the costs of a Hollywood smile can be higher than just the initial payment!

“We know that there are plenty of procedures that can give people a new found confidence in their smile, but we always recommend thoroughly researching all of the potential issues they can bring.

“This way, you won’t be met with any nasty surprises and you can be sure you’re doing the best thing for your teeth, aside from brushing and flossing regularly of course!”

Dental Art Implant Clinics are an implants-focused cosmetic dentistry. They are experts in dental implant treatment and the dental team has more than 100 years of experience combined.