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The last two years have seen an unprecedented demand for straighter, whiter teeth in an effort to attain the perfect smile. The boom has undoubtedly been fuelled by the rise in oral health awareness post-pandemic, a condition which head of beauty at trend forecasting company WGSN Clare Varga terms “teethxiety”. “People started to prioritise teeth when dentists were inaccessible at the beginning of the pandemic,” says Dr Rhona Eskander of London’s Chelsea Dental Clinic, who’s seen a 40 per cent increase in cosmetic enquiries over the last year . “They recognised the value of healthcare when they couldn’t get it.” These are the trends to know now.
The (im)perfect smile
Zoom’s influence in lockdown forced many of us to self-scrutinise in a way we hadn’t before. Rather than giving rise to a demand for Hollywood-perfect smiles, this reassessment led to us wanting to look like better versions of ourselves. “People are definitely more into subtle tweaks rather than complete face transformations,” agrees Dr Eskander. “It’s about embracing your natural quirks, [so] features such as pointy canines or small gaps.” Investing in a “your teeth, only better” approach usually means realignment, often using a clear aligner system like Invisalign, whose clear plastic moulds move your teeth gradually over time. According to a 2021 census carried out by dentistry.co.uk, 66 per cent of dentists reported a rise in cosmetic orthodontic procedures, while Align Technology, the company that makes Invisalign, posted an increase of 181.9 per cent in total revenues YOY in 2021. If veneers form part of your transformation, you should know that oversized and ultra-white is out in favour of a more natural look. “Natural teeth are not flat and lifeless,” adds Dr Eskander. “[My technician] replicates nature by placing translucencies in the teeth texture and different colour gradients.”
Get good (gum) health
Despite the good intentions behind our increased wellness efforts in general, it’s inadvertently given rise to a boom in cosmetic dentistry. “With the obsession of healthy diet regimes, more acidic foods such as lemon water are being consumed [which can] wreak havoc on the teeth,” says Dr Eskander. The result is weakened enamel and erosive tooth wear which, in some cases, requires veneers or bonding to tackle the problem. “I have had a 30 per cent monthly increase in enquiries since the pandemic ,” she says. Overzealous scrubbing is another problem which can lead to stressed gum tissue and a receding gum line. Often overlooked, gum health is one of many specialist areas that’s becoming more widespread. “Without healthy gums you cannot go on to create your perfect smile with the likes of orthodontics, veneers and bonding,” explains Dr Reena Wadia, specialist periodontist and founder of RW Perio. As well as proactively looking after your gum health through a vitamin-enriched diet and good oral hygiene, there’s gum aesthetics to consider. An umbrella term for treatments such as lifts, sculpting and recession correction, these tweaks can significantly approve the appearance of your smile without resorting to orthodontics. They can also be p articularly useful in addressing specific inflammatory issues caused by a decline in oestrogen in menopausal women. “I use a gum laser treatment on my patients to gently reshape their gums, creating better symmetry [and] giving people more confidence smiling,” says cosmetic dentist Dr Simon Blank. “The treatment can be completed in one session and there is no healing time which suits many of my patients.”
The new natural
Teeth whitening to achieve a fresher, more youthful look isn’t new, but the ways in which you can achieve a brighter smile are growing. Spotlight Oral Care, an Irish brand whose turnover trebled post-pandemic, has just launched two new at- home whitening products that will join their existing line-up of strips, pens and toothpaste. Their Teeth Whitening Powder uses a patented diamond powder formulation to lift stubborn stains and is a clever way to create a more bespoke dental routine. “It’s a great product for someone who needs to use a needs-based toothpaste such as one to combat sensitivity. You can just add [it] to your regular toothpaste and you’re good to go,” says co-founder Dr Vanessa Creaven. The brand’s LED Teeth Whitening System works a little like an LED face mask, using red and blue wavelengths to help rejuvenate gums and break down stains when used with their whitening strips. The MAHSA Trio Led Light Activated Device is another such at-home tool, this time combining red LED light with white light, which is known for its ability to reduce inflammation that can damage gums.
The rise of the tooth tech
Although we only have one set of teeth, there’s traditionally been a reluctance to invest in dental care much beyond a toothbrush and paste. Ideally, we should all have a regime as thorough as our skincare, and, says Dr Reena, it starts with paying much more attention to correct brushing. “You need to place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the spot where the gums and teeth meet. Angle upwards for the upper teeth and downwards for the lower teeth.” Opting for an electric brush over a manual model is an easy way to improve efficacy but not all are created equal. Foreo’s ISSA 3 is a silicone conic brush that offers 4-in-1 care for your teeth, tongue, cheeks and gums. Clinically proven to produce an 140 per cent improvement in overall oral hygiene, it also removes 30 per cent more plaque than a manual brush. Better still, it negates the need for endless charging as one single USB charge will see you through a year’s use. We all know we ought to floss daily to remove plaque and r educe the risk of cavities (according to Dr Reena, not flossing is akin to only washing one side of a dirty dish and then using it again), but if you struggle with it then consider a water flosser like Waterpik’s Cordless Plus to get to hard -to-reach places instead. If you’re serious about prioritising your oral health, don’t neglect your tongue. Adding a tongue scraper to your kit will remove the bacteria and debris that builds up on the tongue’s surface, a leading cause of halitosis.
Introducing posh pastes
It may be one of your more basic purchases, but the myriad toothpaste options available now means it’s infinitely more exciting than it used to be. If sustainability is a concern, Spotlight Oral Care’s Toothpaste tubes are made from a derivative of sugarcane, a renewable raw material with a low carbon footprint. If you’re after streamlined convenience, toothpaste tablets might be the way to go. Dr Eskander’s Parla Pro options are the first in the world to contain hydroxyapatite to protect enamel, as well as vitamin E and vitamin B12 , which are absorbed more readily than traditional pills by mucus membranes in the mouth. Amaku, an award-winning natural oral care brand, pledges to create a moment of “functional pleasure” with their sustainably minded citrus, anise and peppermint oil flavoured toothpaste tablets . For any bits that brushing might miss, there’s Hello’s Activated Charcoal Mouthwash which keeps your breath fresh and wards off gum disease. Just don’t forget the cardinal rule: “Mouthwash should be used at a different time to brushing or it will wash away all the ‘good stuff’ in the toothpaste,” warns Dr Reena.
Treatment tricks
To create a more natural end result, dentists are frequently opting for multi-layered treatment plans, many of which use cosmetic bonding alongside aligners and whitening. Bonding, which uses small amounts of resin to subtly straighten edges or mask minor rotations, is increasingly sought after. “My favourite combination has to be whitening and composite bonding,” agrees Dr Blank. “I use tooth whitening to lift the colour of the teeth and then sculpt composite resin onto the teeth to enhance their shape, symmetry and colour.” Improving a smile doesn’t just come down to straighter and whiter, a wider smile is also highly desirable. “The buccal corridor is more commonly referred to as the negative space present between the back upper teeth and the corner of the mouth during smiling,” explains Dr Eskander. “Cosmetic dentists try and eliminate that dark space. Having full buccal corridors mimics smiles such as Margot Robbie or Julia Roberts and can really support the facial structures.” The result is a fuller, more youthful smile.
Take a holistic approach
Taking a more expansive approach to oral care is something we’ll start to see more of, as awareness that the teeth and gums are an integral part of the body grows. It’s something recognised by dental surgeon Dr Mahsa Nejati, whose new treatment launches this month in conjunction with holistic therapist, cosmetic acupuncturist and founder of the Bradden Method, Sarah Bradden. The MAHSA x Sarah Bradden Treatment is designed like a MOT, helping to maintain good overall oral health rather than simply patching up a problem. “I believe in preserving rather than fixing,” says Dr Nejati. “My view is that you start to preserve your health early before things go wrong.” The antiseptic treatment uses cutting-edge tech and a combination of warm water, air and soft powder to remove bacteria in the mouth that contributes to gum inflammation, which itself can increase the risk of serious systemic diseases. The treatment also includes herbal gel application and red LED therapy to improve the hea lth of gums. Bradden’s combination of acupuncture and acupressure massage to relax the jawline, ease tension and sculpt the face adds additional support and works to enhance the results. “There is now a key focus on combining health with aesthetics,” agrees Dr Reena. “Achieving the perfect smile isn’t just about masking imperfections, it’s about investing in the health of your mouth for the long-term.”
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