How can I make my teeth bigger without veneers?

Having straight, white teeth is important for an attractive smile. Some people are unhappy with the size or shape of their teeth and want to make them look bigger or more prominent without using veneers or other dental work. Fortunately, there are some simple, non-invasive ways to make your teeth appear larger.

Use Whitening Treatments

One of the easiest ways to make your teeth look bigger is to whiten them. Teeth naturally yellow over time from drinking coffee, tea, red wine, and other staining foods and drinks. As teeth lose their white luster, they can also appear smaller and receded.

Removing stains through whitening treatments can restore teeth to their original bright white shade, which makes them stand out more. You can use over-the-counter whitening strips or trays with peroxide-based whitening gels. For more dramatic results, get professional whitening treatments at your dentist’s office.

Improve Your Oral Hygiene

Practicing good oral hygiene and keeping your teeth clean can also enhance their appearance. Built-up tartar and plaque make teeth look dingy and smaller. Removing deposits through regular brushing and flossing will make your teeth look bigger and brighter.

You can also use an electric toothbrush and water flosser for optimal cleaning. Be sure to brush properly along the gumline and use antibacterial mouthwash to kill germs that cause plaque buildup.

Use Crest Whitestrips

Crest Whitestrips are one of the most popular over-the-counter teeth whitening products. They use hydrogen peroxide to penetrate the enamel and lift stains from within the teeth. Crest Whitestrips come in different formulations for sensitive teeth, 1-hour express treatments, and extended wear for gradual whitening.

Using Whitestrips for just 10-14 days can make teeth appear over 8 shades whiter. Consistently using them 1-2 times per year will maintain the whitening results. Brighter teeth increase the contrast with your lips and make them look larger.

Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional Effects

Crest recommends the Professional Effects Whitestrips for the most dramatic whitening. This product must be applied precisely to fully cover the front teeth. It uses advanced flexible strips to whiten hard-to-reach spots for an all-over brightening effect.

Crest 1-Hour Express Whitestrips

For fast whitening before a big event, the 1-Hour Express strips quickly lift stains. Apply the strips for just 60 minutes once a day to see whiter teeth in one week. This express product is ideal for last-minute whitening.

Crest 3D Whitestrips Gentle Routine

The Gentle Routine Whitestrips are formulated for people with sensitive teeth. They have a lower concentration of hydrogen peroxide to gently remove stains over two weeks. Although the whitening takes longer, this product will make teeth brighter without causing pain or discomfort.

Get Professional Teeth Cleaning

Regular dental cleanings by a hygienist can also enhance your tooth size and appearance. A professional cleaning will remove hardened tartar from above and below the gumline that you can’t reach with brushing and flossing alone. It polishes away stain-causing biofilm and uses specialized tools to clean deep between teeth.

A cleaning takes 60-90 minutes and can immediately make teeth look whiter. Ask your hygienist to show you proper brushing and flossing techniques as well to maintain your bright smile between visits. Most dentists recommend professional cleanings every six months.

Stop Smoking and Drinking Staining Beverages

Your habits can also influence how white your teeth appear. Tobacco smoke is extremely staining, attaching to teeth and generating stubborn yellow-brown stains that make teeth look small and dingy. Excessive coffee, tea, soda, red wine, and other drinks can also deposit chromogens and dull the enamel.

Cutting back on or eliminating these staining substances can slow tooth discoloration. If you do drink them, be sure to rinse your mouth with water afterward and brush within 30 minutes to prevent stains from setting.

Get Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is a quick, non-invasive treatment that can reshape and enlarge the appearance of teeth. Your dentist applies a putty-like composite resin material to the surface of the tooth, then sculpts and polishes it into the desired shape.

The material bonds seamlessly to the natural enamel for a smooth, flawless look. Bonding requires little drilling and can lengthen teeth, close gaps, cover stains, or alter their width. While not permanent, bonds typically last 5-10 years before needing replaced.

Pros of Bonding Cons of Bonding
  • Fast, only requires one office visit
  • Doesn’t require anesthesia or drilling
  • Makes subtle changes to teeth size/shape
  • Covers stains and repairs chips
  • Less expensive than veneers or crowns
  • Not as durable as veneers/crowns
  • May stain over time and need re-bonding
  • Won’t withstand major damage or heavy biting/chewing

Ask your dentist if bonding could help enhance the size of your teeth without more invasive procedures. Be sure to maintain good oral hygiene and avoid staining foods/drinks to keep bonded teeth looking their biggest and whitest.

Consider Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are thin porcelain or composite resin shells that adhere to the front and sides of teeth. A small amount of enamel is removed to accommodate the veneer’s thickness of 0.3-0.7mm.

Veneers create an immediate cosmetic improvement in the color, size, and symmetry of teeth. They permanently bond to the tooth’s surface and are meticulously matched to your natural teeth. While more expensive than bonding, veneers last 10-15 years or longer before replacement.

Benefits of Veneers

  • Reshape and elongate shorter looking teeth
  • Mask teeth stains that don’t respond to whitening
  • Close gaps between teeth
  • Repair chipped or worn teeth
  • Provide a bright white, uniform smile

Veneers give you the freedom to enhance your teeth however you want – including making them look bigger. This treatment is usually reserved for major tooth flaws, but can create an instantly flawless smile. Talk to your dentist about whether veneers are right for you.

Use Caution With DIY Whitening Methods

In your quest to make teeth bigger at home, you may come across some risky DIY whitening suggestions. Use caution with any techniques that seem too aggressive and could damage your enamel.

For example, some people advise rubbing strawberries or lemon juice on teeth for natural whitening. However, the high acid content in these fruits can erode enamel and make teeth more yellow. Other risky DIY ideas include brushing with baking soda, activated charcoal, or coconut oil, which may be too abrasive.

Your safest bet is to use commercial whitening products designed specifically for teeth. Have any extreme whitening procedures done by a dentist, like laser whitening or Zoom whitening. This will lift stains effectively and enlarge your teeth’s appearance without jeopardizing their structure.

Improve Your Diet

A healthy diet with tooth-strengthening nutrients can also enhance your tooth size over time. Make sure you get sufficient amounts of:

  • Calcium – found in dairy, leafy greens, beans
  • Phosphorus – found in meat, fish, eggs, nuts
  • Vitamin D – found in fatty fish, fortified dairy
  • Vitamin K – found in leafy greens, broccoli
  • Protein – found in meat, dairy, beans

These nutrients support healthy tooth calcification and development. A diet low in sugars and acids also prevents enamel erosion that can make teeth look smaller. Drink plenty of water with meals and avoid sugary, acidic drinks like soda, juice, and sports drinks.

Use Whitening Toothpastes

There are many specialty toothpastes designed to remove surface stains and brighten teeth. Most contain mild abrasives like silica or calcium peroxide to polish the enamel, along with blue covarine dye that optically makes teeth appear whiter.

Look for popular whitening toothpaste brands like Crest 3D White, Colgate Optic White, Arm & Hammer Advance White, and Sensodyne Pronamel. Use as directed, focusing your brushing on stain-prone areas. Combine with mouthwash and flossing at least twice per day for enhanced whitening.

Hydrogen Peroxide Toothpastes

Some toothpastes also contain low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, such as Colgate Optic White Sparkling White. This active ingredient lifts deeper stains to visibly whiten teeth more than dye or abrasives alone. However, peroxide toothpastes can increase sensitivity, so discontinue use if your teeth become uncomfortable.

Activated Charcoal Toothpastes

Activated charcoal toothpastes like Hello Oral Care use charcoal powder to draw stains out of the pores. They help remove surface discoloration, making teeth appear whiter and larger instantly. But take care not to brush aggressively, as the charcoal is abrasive. Limit use to 1-2 times per week.

Adjust Your Smile

Minor adjustments to how you smile can also make your teeth look bigger. When posing for photos:

  • Pull your lips slightly over your teeth to reduce gum show
  • Lift your top lip up to show more tooth length
  • Open your jaw to show a broader smile
  • Angle your face down slightly to avoid shadowing on your smile

You want to show off as much front tooth surface as possible. Practice your smile in the mirror using these tips for a more confident, tooth-filled grin in pictures.

See an Orthodontist

Braces and retainers are the gold standard for achieving properly aligned, symmetrical teeth. Orthodontic treatment not only straightens crooked teeth, but can lengthen and widen teeth that appear too small or narrow.

Modern options like clear aligners and lingual braces make orthodontics more discreet. Treatment typically takes 12-24 months and requires dedication to wear retainers afterward. But the rewards are beautifully enhanced teeth size, shape, and proportions.

Orthodontic Options How Teeth Change
Traditional metal braces Teeth straightened and widened. Gaps closed
Clear aligners Teeth gently shifted into proper position
Lingual braces Back of teeth straightened without visible braces

An orthodontic consultation will determine if you could benefit from realignment. Braces or clear aligners create the most noticeable improvements in tooth size and fullness for a youthful, beautiful smile.

Conclusion

You have many options to enlarge and brighten your smile without veneers or dental work. Using regular whitening treatments can make a big impact on apparent tooth size. Improving oral hygiene, diet, and habits also prevents stains. Minor procedures like bonding or orthodontics adjust shape and proportions.

Focus on safely whitening your natural teeth first for a low-cost solution. Then speak to your dentist about which enhancing procedures would work best to give you your desired smile. With the right techniques, you can enjoy naturally bigger-looking, beautiful teeth.

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