How to get a million-dollar smile

Bobbi Roquemore

When preparing for a night on the town or maybe a networking social, everyone tries to look like a million bucks. Although designer clothes may accent your value, and fancy jewelry may give an aura of worth, the most important component in the quest to look like a million bucks can't be found at the shopping mall. The million-dollar look can only be found in something you already have: your smile.

An attractive mouth, highlighted by strong, healthy teeth and gums, is worth more than gold. A beautiful smile not only enhances people's perception of you but it can also change your appearance and boost your self-esteem. Yet many people neglect this notion.

"People invest in so many other things and forget about their smile, but the first things people look at are the eyes and a person's smile," says Dr. Gregory Stoute, the chief of dental services at Harvard University and president of the National Dental Association.

This situation, as Dr. Stoute and others note, is changing. One of the hottest trends in Black America is that professional women, some in their 30s or 40s, are being fitted for braces to straighten their teeth. With more women in positions of leadership, braces have become an attractive option.

"These individuals probably wanted to have something done about their mouth when they were younger and possibly their parents did not have the resources to offer that," says Dr. Charles F. Sanders, an orthodontist and dean of the Howard University College of Dentistry. "There's actually no age limit to when one can receive orthodontic care. Now that these women are in positions where

they have the financial wherewithal to provide this service for themselves, they are seeking this service."

Daily Hygiene Is Paramount

By dedicating the time and energy to dental care, both your smile and overall health receive the benefits.

Since most difficulties in dentistry are preventable, it's important to learn the right habits at an early age. Still, proper dental care can be picked up at all ages.

The most basic action--brushing and flossing your teeth at least once per day--is also the most important. Not even the most thorough cleaning by a dentist or use of antiseptic mouthwash can completely eliminate plaque. The best way to fight it is through consistent care.

"How you remove the bacteria from your mouth, in most cases by brushing and flossing on a daily basis, will remove those bacteria colonies because they re-colonize in your mouth within 24-36 hours," Dr. Stoute says. "Proper oral hygiene techniques will keep the count down."

According to the "Oral Health In America: A Report of the Surgeon General," released in 2000, using a toothpaste that contains fluoride is paramount to fighting dental caries, or cavities. The better these cavities are controlled, the less likely there will be other problems that can ruin teeth.

Bracing for Change

If you've experienced problems with your teeth, it's never too late for them to be corrected. Fortunately, there are many procedures available that can strengthen the health and beauty of your teeth, such as using braces.

Although braces are primarily associated with the teenage years, adults are increasing their use of this option to straighten their teeth. Still, the amount of time the braces are worn is relatively the same in both age groups.

"The difference is that in an adult, of course, nature is not going to do a lot to help you because you don't have the growth factor (found in teenagers)," Dr. Sanders says "The average adult will wear braces for about 24 months to 30 months, depending on the severity of the case and whether or not any teeth had to be removed to improve the alignment."

The pleasure of obtaining a beautiful smile does not come without a little pain; Dr. Sanders says there is some discomfort for the first few days after the application of the braces and upon each adjustment. Patients undergoing treatment should switch to a softer diet to lessen the effect.

Most importantly, the teeth and gums should be kept healthy while wearing braces, especially since it is such a sensitive process. "When you move teeth, you're actually resorbing bone, or causing it to dissolve as you move the tooth from one position to the other," Dr. Sanders adds. "You need the gums to be very healthy as a periodontal support and the underlying bone to be healthy."

Braces cost an average of $4,000 for youths and over $5,000 for adults.

Other Procedures

There are additional ways to adjust your smile without braces. For example, the use of implants has reduced the need for partial dentures and bridges. Implants are fixtures of titanium that are screwed into the jawbone and provide a basis for a prosthesis, or a false tooth. Implants represent a significant advancement in dental technology and are favored by dentists, Dr. Stoute says.

The cost of an implant is on the higher end, ranging from $1,600 to $2,800 per tooth. The benefits of implants, however, are priceless.

"Implants are more than $1,000, but it's relative if you think of the long-term gain you are going to get," Dr. Stoute says. "If you are able to replace the tooth without disturbing the other teeth, you will restore your looks and your functions, and that will last for a lifetime."

Among the less expensive techniques that can enhance your smile are:

Veneers: These devices can fix discolored or misshapen teeth. Dental veneers are thin pieces of porcelain or plastic that are glued to the front of teeth. Plastic veneers cost around $150 each and last five to seven years. Porcelain veneers average $900, but provide more longevity (10-15 years) than plastic veneers.
Bleaching: This can be done at a dentist's office or at home, according to the American Dental Association. In-office bleaching requires a dentist to apply a bleaching agent and high-intensity light to whiten teeth over the span of one to two hours and costs $600-$1200. Anyone interested in bleaching his or her teeth can buy a bleaching agent for use at home. Before using new remedies, consult your dentist. In this method, the patient places a bleaching agent on mouth trays, which are placed on the teeth overnight. The procedure costs less ($40-$300) but takes 2-3 weeks to complete.

Gateway to the Body

Due to the setup of most health insurance plans, many people consider dentistry as something secondary to medical care. Yet it's no secret that the state of your teeth and the state of your body are related. Clean and strong teeth are usually a sign of good health. A breakdown in oral health can also cause problems not just with your smile but also throughout the body, experts say.

"The mouth is a gateway to the rest of the body," Dr. Stoute says. "Poor teeth and poor gums are usually a reflection of poor health. If you have bad gums or periodontal disease, you are building up toxins and bacteria in your mouth. These toxins can get into your bloodstream. Every time you swallow, you may pass this on to the rest of your system."

Teeth and gums can provide clues about other activities in the body, according to the "Oral Health In America" report. Infections and diseases, such as HIV, osteoporosis and diabetes, are often associated with complications in the mouth.

If teeth are missing, other problems may arise, such as altered speech and digestion patterns, and possibly weight problems.

Consequently, a clean bill of oral health is good for your smile as well as your mind and body. Dr. Stoute advises people to "get to a dentist, get on a program," and get on the road to good oral health for a smile that reflects the real you.

COPYRIGHT 2002 Johnson Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group

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