Have you ever bitten into something hard and felt something crack or break? While a damaged tooth isn't necessarily a health risk, it can completely ruin your smile and your confidence at the same time. 

Cosmetic dentistry in Rockaway Beach, NY, aims to repair your smile and help you feel better about your appearance. Your options range from something like veneers to crowns or even brand-new dentures. 

Here are seven ways cosmetic dentistry can improve your smile and how you live your life. 

1. Look Younger and Healthier

Tooth loss naturally happens over time, regardless of your diet or fitness. The mean number of teeth in people from the ages of 50 to 64 years was 23.4 between 2011 and 2016. However, most adults can grow upwards of 32 teeth. 

Any missing or yellowing teeth will make you appear older, regardless of your actual age. Instead of settling for a less-than-ideal smile, there are a variety of options that can improve upon it. 

Teeth whitening can eliminate any stubborn stains that won't come out by brushing. Veneers are a good option if you want to reshape your teeth. Dentures help if you have multiple missing teeth and want to restore your smile. 

2. Improve Dental Hygiene

While cosmetic dentistry is primarily about improving your smile and its appearance, it can also help with your dental hygiene. 

Crooked teeth or even cracks are problematic for your oral hygiene. You're more likely to have food stuck in your teeth and find it more difficult to remove it. Any cavities you have will also continue to be a risk for your tooth health.

On top of that, you'll have bad breath if bacteria are lingering in your mouth. 

Some options you have include filling in cracks in your teeth or getting veneers to replace their exterior. Dental implants are another option if your teeth are in particularly bad condition or missing altogether.

3. Straighten Crooked Teeth

Normally, gaps in your smile are relatively harmless. However, they can cause problems if there are gaps between crooked teeth. 

One of the main reasons dentists recommend you floss twice a day is because food particles will inevitably end up between your teeth. Failure to do so will mean that those particles and plaque become a breeding ground for bacteria. This will lead to gum disease and potential tooth loss. 

Taking care of your teeth is much easier if they're straight. Floss will go straight between each one without issue, and mouthwash will work more effectively. 

Luckily, you may not need braces to correct your smile. There are options like Invisalign that function much like normal retainers and are more difficult for strangers to notice.

Alternatively, you could get veneers to solve any aesthetic problems. 

4. Better Self Confidence

When your teeth aren't in their best condition, it can be difficult to put on a smile. You might be afraid that people will judge you incorrectly. After all, you may have avoided the dentist in the past due to problems with your insurance or even having too busy of a work schedule.

As such, taking care of your teeth is one part of building up and maintaining your confidence. You'll be more open to talking with strangers if you aren't afraid of them seeing a yellowed or crooked smile. 

Something as simple as whitened teeth can be accomplished with various treatments, either prescribed by your dentist or performed at home. However, you'll need a professional's help for extensive restoration or to implant new teeth. 

5. Eat More Diverse Foods

Not all chipped teeth are dangerous or need to be fixed. However, they can limit what kind of foods you eat. 

For example, a chipped molar isn't going to work as effectively as a whole one. If any of those sharp edges meet a hard item, then it could cause even more damage. 

On top of that, damaged teeth that do cause pain will only continue to do so when you eat cold or hot foods. Something as simple as composite bonding can solve this issue and help you get back to eating your favorite food items. 

6. Eliminate Pain

Cosmetic dentistry in Rockaway Beach, NY, can help eliminate any pain you feel throughout the day. It'll also help resolve any sensitivity you may have to heat or cold. 

The reason teeth become more sensitive is because of reduced enamel. Anything from drinking soda to brushing too often can cause a reduction in the protective enamel. 

Once tooth enamel is damaged, there is no repairing it. Certain toothpastes and mouthwashes can bolster your tooth's mineral content but never restore the enamel. The only way to do so is with something like a veneer. 

Veneers can also remove any pain from a chipped or cracked tooth by replacing it. If the damage is too extensive, you can get a crown to cover the entire tooth.

7. Replace Missing Teeth

You may notice that there's a noticeable overlap between both cosmetic and restorative dental care. While the latter is more about restoring the use of your teeth, a positive side effect is that it also improves how your smile looks. 

Your local cosmetic dentistry practice may replace missing teeth to fill in gaps. This also allows you to improve your bite and prevent your teeth from shifting out of place. 

There's also the chance that your cosmetic dentist will remove a tooth that is too far damaged. However, they may also choose to set you up with a crown so it both looks and performs as well as new. 

Try Cosmetic Dentistry in Rockaway Beach, NY

Cosmetic dentistry is about more than just improving your smile. It can help improve your dental hygiene, solidify your bite, and bring back your confidence. As a bonus, something like a dental implant will have you set for life. 

If you're interested in cosmetic dentistry in Rockaway Beach, NY, look no further than Arverne Dental. We have a $99 new patient special offer that includes an exam, all necessary X-rays, and cleaning. Make an appointment today and reach out with any questions.