There are a lot of things that we may envy about our favorite celebrities, including their flawless smiles. While we all want to have a smile that makes us feel confident, it’s important to remember that a picture-perfect smile doesn’t necessarily mean a healthy smile.

There are all sorts of factors that impact your smile’s appearance, including age, lifestyle choices, and even certain medications. 

Wonder how celebrities maintain such perfect smiles no matter what? Cosmetic dentistry is the magic behind their flawless smiles.

Veneers, crowns, and professional teeth whitening are common choices for celebrities. However, these procedures can be costly and aren’t covered by insurance.

Here’s what you need to know about these cosmetic dentistry procedures. We’ll also discuss why having a picture-perfect smile doesn’t necessarily mean that your teeth are healthy.

Veneers

Veneers are very thin layers of tooth-colored porcelain or composite materials that are placed over the teeth. They can be used to correct various dental issues, including uneven teeth and worn tooth enamel.

They’re more commonly used to mask improper tooth spacing, cracks, chips, and discoloration.

Most celebrities have veneers, though they are carefully designed to not look overly fake. Aside from creating a shapely and beautifully aligned smile, veneers also offer some protective qualities for the underlying tooth.

Porcelain veneers are the most expensive option and cost anywhere from $925 to $2,500 per tooth. They last 10-15 years. Composite veneers are a little less expensive, ranging from $250 to $1500 per tooth, but only last 5-7 years.

Crowns

Dental crowns are both restorative and cosmetic. They are used to cover up teeth that are badly damaged. Crowns are also used to replace missing teeth in addition to filling gaps to minimize the appearance of slightly crooked teeth.

When a crown is placed, it encases the underlying tooth in a protective barrier. This protects the tooth from heat, cold, sugar, acid, and bacteria. Crowns reinforce the structure of a compromised tooth, which restores function to the smile.

Crowns can last anywhere from a few years to a few decades. Modern crowns are made from porcelain, which is durable and designed to last.

Professional teeth whitening

No one is born with perfectly white teeth, and teeth experience some level of discoloration with time and age.  This is why professional teeth whitening has become so popular.

Professional teeth whitening is designed to make the teeth shiny and white. While there are several at-home whitening options, they don’t work as effectively as in-office treatments.

In-office whitening procedures are optimal, especially for celebrities because they offer the best results in the shortest amount of time. 

There are many different professional teeth whitening options, including:

• Zoom!
• BriteSmile 
• Opalescence Boost

Professional teeth whitening costs anywhere from $300 to $1,200. Most people require several rounds of treatments to attain their desired shade, which can push the total cost into the thousands.

If you’re interested, find a dentist in your area that offers teeth whitening.

Flawless doesn’t mean healthy

Cosmetic surgery isn’t cheap. It’s obvious that many celebrities can get and maintain perfect-looking smiles due to the time and money they invest in their appearance. And let’s not forget to mention that Photoshop and other editing programs often set unrealistic expectations of what a beautiful smile looks like.

The fact is that there are few people who have thousands of dollars to spend on a picture-perfect smile. While having white, straight teeth looks nice, a flawless smile doesn’t mean that your teeth are healthy. 

In fact, veneers, crowns, and professional whitening can all hide underlying dental issues. 

Keep up with daily dental hygiene

Don’t let having white or straight teeth take precedence over basic dental care. Make sure that you brush after every meal and floss at least once a day. Eat healthy foods that promote dental health and minimize processed sugary items as much as possible.

It’s also important to schedule regular dental appointments. Find a dentist near you and book an appointment for a checkup today.

Though it can be hard, it’s best to not compare your smile to unrealistic standards set by celebrities. Instead of focusing on how your smile looks, focus more on keeping it healthy.

If you want to feel more confident in your smile, there are cosmetic procedures that can help. Before undergoing any cosmetic procedures, whether it’s at-home whitening or veneers, always discuss the options with your regular dentist first.

Are you overdue for a checkup?

Can you remember the last time you went to the dentist? If not, chances are that you’re overdue for a cleaning and checkup. Routine trips to the dentist are an important part of keeping your smile healthy. 

Common issues, such as cavities and gingivitis, can be caught and treated early before they cause more serious problems. Sometimes you may not know there’s an underlying issue until your dentist takes a good look.

Schedule your next dentist appointment today and get peace of mind that your smile is healthy. Now that’s something to celebrate!