Men And Cosmetic Dentistry

Why ‘modern man’ is turning to treatments like teeth whitening to improve their appearance

Even 50 years ago, the archetypal man would probably be, as poets might say, ‘rough hewn’. Men were supposed to be tough and not overly concerned about their appearance. If lines appeared on their face, they wouldn’t dream of using moisturising cream, and similarly, if their teeth became yellow (often through smoking) they would simply stay that way.

Things have certainly changed for the better, and even though many men may not want to go all the way for a full ‘Love Island’ look, there is little doubt that men are much more concerned about their image than they used to be. Some of this might have started with the early ‘mens mags’, with tips on grooming etc, but there is little doubt that the internet has moved things on rapidly, especially for those who use dating sites, hoping to find love and romance where a picture, as they say, paints a thousand words.

Given the wider acceptability of cosmetic dentistry for men, it is hardly surprising then that we have noticed a growing number of men booking appointments at our Swadlincote dental practice. Whilst fewer men might use our facial aesthetics service than women, for now anyway; our cosmetic dental treatments are becoming ever more popular.

What then, are the most popular treatments that our male patients from Burton, Ashby and surrounding areas, likely to choose?

Whiter teeth

It isn’t just on programmes like Love Island that you are likely to notice that people have whiter teeth. Even news readers and presenters are likely to have undergone cosmetic treatment to make their teeth more attractive. Better quality and larger TV screens make any faults with their teeth more obvious and it has probably become more widely expected that those fronting the news should have a reasonably attractive smile. Given their growing acceptability, male patients of Alexandra Dental Care tend to take advantage of one of the following teeth whitening treatments.

Teeth whitening – This is usually the first step for most people looking to have a whiter smile. It is a non-invasive treatment that produces fast results, with the effects lasting for a long time. The treatment can be repeated as often as required with no harm being done to the teeth. Some men prefer to wait until they notice that the results are starting to fade before repeating the treatment, whereas others may book regular appointments to keep the degree of whiteness at a regular consistency. Your choice will probably depend on your reason for wanting whiter teeth and we are happy to offer advice.

Dental Veneers – Although less people smoke than in the past, there are still a significant number who have smoked but now managed to quit. They may be left with the legacy of having stained or yellow looking teeth. Smoking isn’t the only way that this can happen, although it is one of the most common, Some food and drinks can stain teeth too. Although a teeth whitening procedure may be helpful; if the teeth are quite badly stained, porcelain dental veneers may provide a more durable and effective solution. This treatment does require some invasive work being done to the teeth but provides the patient with a great looking smile that can last for ten years or more if well looked after.

Missing teeth

Although tooth loss generally becomes more likely as we become older, partially due to wear and tear, it isn’t unusual in younger people and men especially are perhaps more prone to neglect their teeth in their teens. This can have a long term effect that leaves teeth more vulnerable to problems as they enter their adult years.  Men especially are also perhaps more likely to have lost a tooth through playing sports or other physical activities. The boost in testosterone in our teenage years can also cause a small number of men to become more aggressive and this can result in fights etc that can result in a tooth being knocked out. As we grow older, we inevitably regret these times but still have to face the fact that we are missing a tooth.

There are three ways in which our team can replace teeth that have been lost. There are pros and cons to each and we are happy to offer our advice to any men that are unsure of the best approach to take.

Dentures – This is the most well known tooth replacement method. Dentures often require no invasive treatment and have improved in both comfort and appearance over the years. They do require some quite fiddly cleaning though and may also have a tendency to move a little when worn. This can make eating certain foods quite tricky. On the plus side, they are one of the most affordable options and especially if you currently play sports, can easily be removed until after the game has finished.

Bridges – A dental bridge offers a more permanent solution for missing teeth and is more stable than dentures. An artificial tooth is used to replace the missing one and this is held in place by dental crowns on either side. The disadvantage to this method is that in order to secure the crowns, the teeth on either side of the gap will need to be prepared. Understandably, many men are reluctant to have this done to healthy teeth.

Dental implants – This treatment offers a replacement tooth that is highly stable and as strong as a healthy natural tooth. Once placed and fully integrated, you can treat it exactly like you should a natural tooth. Cleaning involves brushing and flossing and it remains fixed in your mouth like a regular tooth. There are no real ‘downsides’ to an implant other than the fact that it does require a more lengthy procedure which is offset by their longevity, often lasting for 20 years or more if cared for correctly. There is also a short period, following its placement, where you will need to be extra careful about what you eat so that the implant has the chance to fully bond with the jawbone which gives it its strength and stability.

Cosmetic dentistry is suitable for all sexes and genders and everyone should be entitled to an attractive and nice looking smile. If you live in the Burton and Ashby area and would like to contact us about having a smile makeover, you can call our friendly reception team at Alexandra Dental Care on 01283 216347.

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