4 Ways Dental Bonding Can Improve Your Oral Health

Dental bonding provides a way to improve both the appearance of your teeth and your overall oral health, but it isn't a procedure with which all patients are familiar. Essentially, bonding applies a composite material to your teeth, which is then hardened using a special lamp. This process can smooth out or patch over imperfections as well as reshape your teeth, and it can be performed in just a single trip to the dentist without having to worry about injections or other invasive procedures.

It's often considered simply a cosmetic treatment, but here are just four reasons why dental bonding is also great for your oral health.

1. Protects Cracked and Chipped Teeth  

Your tooth enamel is strong, but it isn't indestructible. Damage can occur due to anything from grinding your teeth at night to accidental impacts, and that can leave your teeth in a weakened state. However, dental bonding can help by filling in and patching over those cracks and chips. This doesn't just improve the appearance of your smile. It also restores some of the structural integrity that is lost when teeth are chipped or cracked. As such, they will be less likely to suffer further damage in the future.

2. Covers Worn Enamel

Cracks and chips aren't the only issues that can affect your teeth. Over time, enamel can become thinner and weaker due to issues such as poor oral health. This makes sensitivity and cavities more likely. However, dental bonding can essentially provide an additional layer of protection over your natural enamel. You'll still need to regularly brush and floss, but your teeth will be less vulnerable to decay.

3. Close Gaps Between Your Teeth

Noticeable gaps between teeth can be considered a cosmetic issue, but such gaps can also impact your oral health. Food will be more likely to get trapped, and space between teeth gives the teeth room to move around, which can result in a misaligned bite. Most people assume gaps between teeth can only be corrected using braces, but composite bonding can also be used successfully in many cases. This is often a more attractive option since bonding is far faster and more convenient than getting braces.

4. Corrects Unusually Shaped or Sized Teeth

Some patients have one or two teeth that are of an unusual size or shape. Again, this can present both cosmetic and oral health issues. Cosmetic concerns are more common when teeth are towards the front of the mouth, but any oddly sized or shaped teeth can make brushing harder and make it easier for plaque and bacteria to develop. Using composite bonding, your dentist will be able to reshape problem teeth to eliminate such issues.

Contact your dentist for more information.