You use your teeth in many ways throughout the day. Your teeth allow you to eat, speak, sing, and smile. Clearly, teeth are very important for communication. A clean, healthy smile can tell others a lot about you. It can help you make the right impression on new friends and colleagues alike. If your teeth don't look the way you'd like, a cosmetic dentist can help you alter their appearance. These are three services offered by cosmetic dentists:

1. Teeth Whitening

You can do your best to prevent tooth discoloration by avoiding tobacco and foods that stain tooth enamel. Unfortunately, it's impossible to totally prevent tooth yellowing because some discoloration is caused by the passing of time. As people get older, their enamel thins, revealing the yellow layer of dentin below. You can combat age-related yellowness by having your teeth whitened by a cosmetic dentist. Chairside whitening is extremely effective. Your dentist will use a light-activated hydrogen peroxide treatment to lift stains from your teeth.

2. Gum Contouring

Cosmetic dentists often work with patients' teeth, but sometimes patients have cosmetic concerns about their gums. Some patients feel their gums are too prominent, which detracts from the appearance of their smile. Your dentist can remove excess gum tissue to give your smile a more appealing appearance. Gum contouring is a safe treatment that is done with the aid of local anesthetic. Your dentist will use a precise laser to reshape your gums. In some cases, gum contouring involves adding gum tissue to areas that don't have enough. If you suffer from gum erosion, your dentist may transplant healthy gum tissue from another area of your mouth.

3. Temporary Dental Appliances

If you're not looking for invasive treatments or you're not sure that you're ready to commit to permanent changes, your cosmetic dentist can create a temporary dental appliance for you. Temporary dental appliances are sometimes called snap-on smiles. They're a lot like veneers because they cover up the appearance of your natural smile.

When you choose to get a snap-on smile, your cosmetic dentist will take a mold of your teeth and create a dental appliance that looks like a natural set of teeth. Once it's finished, you can fit it over your own teeth for a flawless smile that requires no adhesives, drilling, or pain. Your temporary dental appliance won't prevent you from eating or drinking. Many patients find that they can comfortably wear their snap-on smiles on a daily basis.

Contact a cosmetic dentistry clinic like Pinon Hills Dental to learn more.