Dental care includes treatments such as teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, crowns, bridges and implants. These treatments are used to make teeth more attractive while maintaining or improving the function of the mouth. If you support homeless people who have moved on to live independently, you may be wondering how cosmetic dentistry could help your clients. Read on to find out more about how dental care services can help homeless people to rebuild their smiles and their lives.
Improved confidence
Cosmetic treatments can help homeless people to rebuild their confidence and self-esteem. Having problems such as discoloured teeth, missing teeth or broken teeth can affect a person's ability to communicate, find work and socialise with others. This can make it difficult for homeless people to move on with their lives and integrate back into society once they have left the street. Having cosmetic dental treatment can help to restore the appearance and functionality of the smile. Dental implants, for example, are a sought-after treatment for people who have lost a tooth due to trauma or accident. These implants are used to replace teeth on an in-patient basis and are more expensive than standard dental fillings. However, there is also no waiting time involved and the restoration is long-lasting.
Improved nutrition
Missing teeth can have a big impact on a person's ability to eat food. This can lead to malnutrition. Missing teeth or broken teeth can also make it difficult for homeless people to eat. This is because they are more likely to avoid eating certain foods, which will lead to further problems such as dehydration, malnutrition, poor health and weight loss. Getting this treatment will help homeless people to digest their food correctly and get the nutrients that they need.
Reduced pain and discomfort
Problems with teeth and gums can cause pain and discomfort. This may interfere with the daily lives of homeless people and make them less likely to seek out medical help. Having these issues addressed through dental care allows homeless people to suffer as little discomfort as possible.
Increased protection from disease
Having compromised dental health can increase a person's risk of getting diseases like oral cancer. This is because, when a damaged tooth or missing teeth becomes infected, the infection can spread throughout the body and cause serious damage. Getting dental treatment will mean that homeless people are much more likely to maintain their health and avoid problems in the future. A dentist can help to restore teeth and clean them regularly so that they are less likely to become infected.
For more information, contact a local dentist today.