How to Fix Your Teeth

Teeth can suffer from a multitude of issues ranging from yellowing, chipping, shifting and decay. Depending on the severity of the problem, you may be able to fix your teeth at home or you may need to seek the help of a dentist.

Things You'll Need

• Bleach kits
• Dentist
• Braces (or invisalign clear retainers)
• Veneers
• Professional cleaning
• Dental regimen

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Instructions

• 1

  Look at various options for whitening teeth. There are many reasons teeth become discolored: smoking, taking certain medications and genetics all play a role in tooth discoloration. For minor problems, there are many at-home teeth-whitening options to choose from. There are whitening toothpastes, teeth strips, store-bought bleach kits or procedures that your dentist or hygienist can provide or recommend. Determining factors are what you can spend, the amount of discoloration present and how strongly you feels about the appearance of your teeth. Toothpaste and whitening strips can cost anywhere from $4 to $15, whereas bleach kits can run up to between $25 and $40. Having your teeth whitened by a dental professional may cost anywhere from $200 to over $1,000, depending on how many procedures are required.

• 2

  Invest in teeth straightening. If your teeth are crooked, you may need braces or invisalign (clear retainers) to straighten them out. Most of the time, braces are for kids and teens while the invisalign system is oriented toward adults. When teeth are shifted out of alignment it can affect not only your self-esteem but can inhibit daily activities such as eating or speaking. Also, decay-prone pockets probably exist in between crooked teeth and the straighter ones closest to them. Having teeth straightened will almost always be done by a dentist or orthdontist as it is a complicated, in-depth procedure.

• 3

  Analyze the option of veneers. If your teeth are cracked, chipped or broken in a visible area of the mouth, veneers can cover up those flaws. They look completely natural and no one can tell the difference between the veneer and your natural tooth. The big drawback is cost. These can run up to $1,000 per veneer and since it is a cosmetic procedure, most dental insurance plans will not cover any of the cost.

• 4

  Get regular cleanings from your dentist. If you have teeth professionally cleaned at least once every six months, this will prevent many costly procedures. A regular teeth cleaning may cost anywhere from $50 to $100. But if you have not been to the dentist in a long time, it may be necessary to get a deep cleaning. A dentist or hygienist may have to scrape your teeth after a portion of your mouth has been numbed. These factors may drive the cost up to between $125 and $200 and the procedure may have to be repeated depending on how long it has been since your last professional cleaning.

• 5

  Prevention is the best method of all. You can prevent expensive, painful dental work by keeping a healthy, daily, teeth-cleaning regimen. Always brush at least twice a day and floss once a day. If possible, brush teeth immediately after meals. When drinking beverages such as soda, coffee and fruit juices or eating sugary foods, always rinse your mouth out with water afterward. These types of food and drink can break down enamel and cause tooth decay if they linger on tooth surfaces and in between teeth too long.