Do you avoid showing your teeth when smiling for a picture? If you’re embarrassed by discolored, chipped, or crooked teeth, cosmetic dentistry can give you a picture-perfect smile. However, if you have gum disease, the infection can put a kink in your plans. Your gums must be healthy before any elective service. Although aesthetic flaws are your concern, your dentist’s initial priority will be your dental health, and here’s why.