Some people don't feel good about the look of their smile. Thus, they may cover their mouth when they laugh or grin. In addition, they may try to refrain from smiling as much as possible.

If the appearance of your teeth is preventing you from openly smiling and laughing, there are dental applications available to help you feel good about the look of your smile. Here are a few of them:

In-office Teeth Whitening

Many people suffer from dental discoloration due to dental staining form the things that they eat or drink. However, most dental staining can be whitened using a dental bleaching application. There are dental whitening kits available over-the-counter, but the most effective and efficient way to whiten your teeth is through a professional in-office whitening session.

Teeth that are whitened by a dental professional in his or her office are usually dramatically whiter after a single bleaching application. Before the dentist bleaches the teeth, he or she applies a guard to hold the lips away from the whitening solution that will be applied to the teeth. In addition, a protective substance is applied to the gums to coat them and prevent inflammation or irritation from the bleaching gel or solution.

After the proper protective measures have been observed, the whitening solution is applied to the teeth. The teeth may then be subjected to a specialized ultraviolet light that helps improve the effectiveness of the whitening solution. Once the whitening product has been removed from the teeth, the patient is likely to notice that his or her teeth have been whitened several shades.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers, which are extremely thin pieces of tooth-shaped dental ceramic material, are applied to the teeth to conceal imperfections, such as discoloration, mild dental misalignment, chips, interdental gaps and cracks.

Since veneers can help correct multiple cosmetic issues at the same time, they can make a substantial difference in the appearance of a patient's smile.

To apply veneers, the front surface of the teeth to which the veneers will be affixed is lightly debrided to ensure that the veneers do not change the bite of the patient. In addition, the veneers should not extend beyond the natural perimeter of the teeth.

To learn more ways to transform the appearance of your teeth, schedule a consultation with a local cosmetic dentist. He or she can review available cosmetic options with you to determine the best applications for your needs.