Embarrassed by your Teeth?

Embarrassed by your teeth? You are not alone, and with today's cosmetic dentistry, almost every smile worry has a gentle, simple fix. At Southern York Smile Care in Shrewsbury, PA, Dr. Steven Haywood helps people stop hiding their smiles and start enjoying them again.

What is a beautiful smile worth? People who have had a smile makeover at Southern York Smile Care often say it is worth its weight in gold. Not because of how it looks in the mirror, but because of how it changes their days. This article looks at the hidden cost of hiding your smile, the most common reasons people feel embarrassed, and the treatments that can help.

The hidden cost of hiding your smile

Your smile is something you share with family, friends and coworkers every day. When you feel good about it, you smile without thinking. When you do not, you spend a surprising amount of energy hiding it.

You might notice yourself:

• Covering your mouth with your hand when you laugh
• Smiling with your lips closed in every photo
• Avoiding close conversations or turning your head when you talk
• Holding back in meetings, interviews or on dates
• Skipping social events because you feel self-conscious

Over time, hiding your smile can become a habit you barely notice. It can also affect your health. People who feel embarrassed about their teeth often avoid the dentist, which lets small problems grow into bigger ones.

Other people may also get the wrong idea. If you rarely smile or laugh at jokes, you can come across as distant, serious or unfriendly, even when you are none of those things. How would your life change if you felt at ease in every social and work setting?

A smile makeover can change your self-image. When you stop trying to hide your teeth, you are free to put all of your energy into your work, your family and your fun.

A no-judgment place to start

Many people stay away from the dentist because they are embarrassed about the state of their teeth. They worry about what the dentist will think or say. At Southern York Smile Care, there is no judgment and no lecture. The team has seen every kind of dental problem, and the only goal is to help you. Many patients say the hardest part was picking up the phone. Once they did, they wished they had come in years sooner.

Your first visit is a conversation. You share what bothers you, at your own pace. Dr. Haywood examines your teeth and gums, explains what is possible and answers your questions. If you feel anxious, sedation dentistry with oral sedation can help you relax. For more on the kind of care to expect, read Keeping You Comfortable.

Common reasons people feel embarrassed, and the fixes

Most smile worries fall into a few groups. Each has more than one possible fix.

Stained or yellow teeth

Coffee, tea, red wine, tobacco and age can all dull your teeth. Professional teeth whitening can brighten them by several shades. Deep stains that whitening cannot lift can be covered with veneers or bonding.

Chipped, worn or uneven teeth

Cosmetic bonding can repair small chips, often in one visit. Porcelain veneers can reshape and lengthen worn or uneven front teeth. A badly damaged tooth may need a crown.

Gaps and crooked teeth

Invisalign clear aligners straighten teeth without metal braces, and they are very hard to notice while you wear them. Dr. Haywood is an Elite Invisalign Provider. For some adults, veneers can make teeth look straight in far less time.

Missing teeth

A gap from a missing tooth is one of the most common reasons people hide their smile. Dental implants replace the root and the tooth with a natural-looking result. Bridges and dentures are other options. Dr. Haywood is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists.

A gummy smile

If too much gum shows when you smile, a cosmetic gum lift can reshape the gum line and show more of each tooth.

Dark old fillings

Old silver fillings can make your back teeth look gray when you laugh. Southern York Smile Care is a mercury-free office. Old silver fillings can be replaced with tooth-colored, BPA-free white fillings.

Same-day smile or ultimate makeover?

Southern York Smile Care offers two ways to approach a new smile, depending on your goals and schedule.

• Same-day smile makeover. For a set date, like a wedding or a new job, or for goals that can be met in one visit. A brighter smile or a repaired tooth can often be done in a single day.
• Complete smile makeover. For changing several things together, such as color, shape, gaps, missing teeth and the gum line. It is planned in stages and may take more than one visit.

Either way, you can see a preview first. Cosmetic imaging shows what your new smile could look like before any work begins. Dr. Haywood completed cosmetic training through the NYU Aesthetic Continuum, has more than 35 years in practice and was seen on ABC's Extreme Makeover.

Questions people ask before they start

Will it look fake?

A good makeover should look like your own teeth on their best day. Shade, shape and size are chosen to suit your face, and you can ask for changes during planning.

Will it hurt?

Most cosmetic treatments involve little or no discomfort. Whitening can cause brief sensitivity. Numbing and sedation are available for treatments that need them.

How long does it take?

It depends on your goals. Whitening, bonding and some same-day treatments can be done in one visit. Veneers usually take a few visits. Straightening with Invisalign takes longer, but the aligners are hard to notice while you wear them. You will get a clear timeline before you start.

How will I pay for it?

The office is out of network with every insurer. You pay at the visit and the office files any insurance claim for you. CareCredit and Cherry payment plans are available, and Invisalign can be paid monthly after a down payment. Kelley Fisher, the Patient Care and Treatment Coordinator, can walk you through your options. See the financing page.

Take the first step

You do not have to keep hiding your smile. Browse the smile gallery to see real results, then call (717) 235-3871 or request an appointment for a cosmetic consultation at Southern York Smile Care, 4 S. Main St in Shrewsbury, PA. Patients come from Shrewsbury, York, southern York County and northern Baltimore County. A smile you are proud of could be closer than you think.

About the authorDr. Steven Haywood, DDS

DDS cum laude 1987, US Air Force residency, NYU cosmetic training and Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, with 35+ years in practice.

Meet Dr. Haywood →