I have a confession: I grind my teeth.
I have always dreamed of beautiful teeth- the ones you see in the movies. But I knew that was not my fate. Those are veneers, a friend told me in high school. She flashed her own beautiful smile at me.
These cost $7,500- she bragged to me. I. Would. Never. #beauty #smile Click To TweetI cringed. At the tender age of 14, my back teeth were already close to flat and my front teeth were something I wished to be longer. …as I got older, things only got worse.
Finally, it all hit the fan, when Dave took a picture of me with the girls, and my smile made me cringe.
I loved holding my girls on a beautiful sunny day- enjoying one of our favorite places: The Roger Williams Park Zoo- and I was beaming. But short teeth (especially paired with my round face… thanks, Mom) crushed my confidence.
With Listen to Your Mother coming up, I finally sat down with Dave and had a tooth talk. I was palm-sweaty nervous, thinking this was just another pipe-dream, but he told me to see what the dentist had to say. Without dental insurance, I called Aspen Dental, which is just down the street from me and headed in.
After my initial intake, complete with xrays, I talked to the dentist about what he thought I needed. A good cleaning, though my teeth were pretty healthy and my gums perfect, was first on the list. Then, we talked front teeth. One option, veneers, came in at about $1,000 per tooth.
NOPE.
Then there was a less expensive–still expensive option, for about $650 a tooth.
I started to well up, so I looked down as the doctor kept talking. “Last,” he said, “we can try some bonding. It will still look great, natural- so not perfect, and won’t last forever. I think that’s going to be best for you.” I looked up and he was smiling at me, his own slightly imperfect grin making me feel much more comfortable.
A week later, after a great cleaning, my front teeth were bonded for length.
And I was ecstatic.
I still have dental work that needs to be done… but I love my teeth. My confidence. And I am so thankful that I had a doctor who understood where I am in life. As a mom, my priorities are not myself, but I still deserve a bit of pampering and a boost in confidence.
My teeth? Yeah. My perfectly me, perfectly imperfect teeth.
SO how does one keep tooth bonding white? Honestly, it isn’t easy- veneers, with all of their expense, are much more stain resistant- and some tried and true ways, like avoiding tea, coffee, wine (etc.) are just not feasible for me. These tips? This is how I’m making it work!
- Most importantly, good oral hygiene is the critical. Brushing and flossing twice a day is key, as well as yearly visits to the dentist for cleanings. I use a toothpaste for sensitive teeth that also has a whitening agent in it.
- NO SMOKING. There are a million reasons why you need to quit yesterday- one of them is your teeth.
- Brush post-wine/coffee/tea so these staining drinks aren’t left on your teeth.
- When all is said and done, sometimes just getting your bonding re-polished and sealed will do the trick!
Have you had your teeth bonded? How did you keep it from discoloring? Please share your tips in the comments!
I haven’t been to the dentist for years, mostly because I hate the guilt trips he gives me. Though I have been pretty proud about the amount of flossing I’ve been doing because of my water pick. I tell ya, I’ve never like flossing.
Flossing is the hardest thing for me to remember, too! I love picks- without them I don’t think I’d be as consistent!
I had never even heard of teeth bonding until today but they seem to work like a charm! Your smile is beautiful! And I can’t even believe that’s how much veneers cost. So expensive!
They are! I still hope I can someday get them… but bonding rocks! It’s what is used for chipped teeth, as well as fillings!
These are great tips! I have some friends who have had this done and seem to maintain it well-you’d never know!
That’s the best part- looks so natural!
I had some light bonding done after knocking my coffee mug against my front tooth, causing a slight chip. Your before and after photo is stunning.
Ooof! I had bonding when I was a kid! My dog jumped up in my face and we knocked teeth- his, of course, were ok!
Wow, your teeth look amazing. I need to look into bonding so badly. I drink tea all the time, so that would be my downfall
I keep a toothbrush with me (I am a HUGE coffee drinker!).
They did a wonderful job. It’s amazing how a confident smile makes a feel more confident and self loving over all!
SUCH a huge difference. I feel better smiling!
I have never heard of tooth bonding before! Feeling confident is so important and when you don’t like your smile it can kill your confidence.
That’s the truth.
Teddy can’t have apples anymore either because he had his teeth done. It was a week before I let him drink anything that had color in it. They look great. Keep smiling!
I am so crazy about biting into ANYTHING now. LOL! I feel like I need to carry a blender with me!
I have never done this, but I should! My teeth are getting more yellow as I get older!
Get to your dentist! There are so many ways to combat yellowing!
I had no idea about bonding, I also didn’t know that veneers were so expensive. Your smile looks as beautiful as always but, you can see the extra confidence!
They are SO expensive! A confident smile means a lot- I feel so much better having one!
Looking good! I’ve got insurance again and working through my dental issues, it’s amazing how much it changes your self perception without even noticing.
Exactly!
These are great ways to keep your bonding white. I will have to look for sensitive toothpaste that also whitens.
SO glad it’s a thing now- one or the other just won’t work for me!
Your teeth look great. The bonding turned out really nice. I will have to see if i can get this done.
I hope it works for you, too!
go girl…looking super fly. i can really tell the different. what a great job.
Aw. Thanks!