Do you have some oral issues that make you cover your mouth while smiling? If yes, then you probably know how difficult it can be to have an unsightly smile. Fortunately, more than dentistry provides a huge variety of smile makeover methods. In this article, we have gathered five effective options that can help improve your smile.

1. Maintain proper oral hygiene

Many people think that proper oral hygiene includes only tooth brushing once a day. But the reality is that it is extremely important to brush your teeth twice a day in the morning before meals and in the evening after meals. 

This is because your mouth is full of harmful bacteria that live and multiply freely. If you don't remove them in time, these bacteria can lead to the development of bad breath, tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral issues. 

Moreover, insufficient toothbrushing can lead to tooth discoloration since pigments from foods and drinks can easily attach to your teeth and remain there for a long time. You should also use dental floss at least once a day to clear the space between your teeth.

2. Undergo teeth whitening

There is a huge variety of teeth whitening options available. You can undergo an in-office teeth whitening during which a dentist applies a bleaching agent to your teeth and activates it with the help of a laser or UV light. 

You can also try teeth whitening kits at home. But you need to choose kits that are approved by dentists to prevent complications. There are also some home remedies and whitening toothpaste that can help remove surface stains from your teeth and make them look whiter. 

3. Straighten your teeth

If you have crooked teeth, it can significantly worsen the look of your smile. However, there are a few options that can help straighten your teeth. If your teeth are not severely crooked, you can benefit from using transparent aligners that are called Invisalign. 

Metal, ceramic, and lingual braces can also help align your teeth and improve your smile. However, you should understand that wearing braces and Invisalign may require more oral care. This means that you can't give up in a few weeks after starting to improve your smile. In this case, you will waste your precious time and money without achieving any results.

4. Treat all the oral issues in time

There is a common misconception that there is no need to visit a dentist on a regular basis especially if you don't have any obvious problems. However, you should understand that there are a lot of oral issues that can develop asymptomatically or cause mild, even unnoticeable symptoms that you may not pay attention to. If left untreated, these oral issues can significantly affect your oral health and your smile as well.

One of the most common oral issues is tooth decay. It occurs when people don't maintain proper oral hygiene which leads to an increased number of cavity-causing bacteria. In addition to the fact that tooth decay can cause bad breath and toothache, it can create dark spots on your teeth. Other conditions like tartar accumulation, gum disease, and chipped teeth can also worsen the look of your smile. 

5. Consider dental veneers or crowns

Unfortunately, there are a lot of oral issues that can be improved with the help of teeth whitening or other procedures. For example, some stains on the teeth can't be bleached completely. In this case, you can cover these stains with the help of dental veneers or dental crowns.

Additionally, crooked and chipped teeth can also be improved with the help of dental veneers. Fractured and severely damaged teeth can be restored with dental crowns. In any case, it is better to consult your dentist about the best smile makeover option.