TOP 3 REASONS YOU ARE UNHAPPY WITH YOUR SMILE (AND HOW TO FIX IT)

As many people know, first impressions play an important role, and a person’s smile is a big part of making a lasting first impression and determining if it is a positive or negative one. Individuals with a healthy smile are often more outgoing and confident than their counterparts, who are embarrassed due to some sort of unaddressed dental issue.

If you find yourself pressing your lips together to hide your teeth while smiling, cover your mouth with your hand when laughing, try not to reveal your teeth while speaking, or try avoiding having a conversation in the first place, then you may be one of a large percentage of adults who are unhappy with their teeth and the appearance of their smile. 

There are a number of dental health problems and cosmetic conditions responsible for this statistic of unhappy adults, and some of the most common are outlined below. The great news for you, if you have reasons you are unhappy with your smile, is that we have also outlined some of the best ways to fix your dental issues, in order to improve your smile and increase your self-confidence. With the help of your cosmetic dentist, allow yourself to be happy with your smile and wear it proudly.

COMMON DENTAL ISSUES AND HOW TO FIX THEM

DENTAL ISSUE #1: YELLOW TEETH 

Yellow, discolored or stained teeth are some of the most common dental issues that affect people’s ability to smile freely due to embarrassment. People often associate discolored teeth with a lack of oral hygiene, which is not always the case. In addition to poor oral hygiene, discolored teeth can also be a result of smoking, advanced age, wear and tear, as well as consuming liquids and foods that stain teeth, such as soda, coffee, wine, berries, and tomato sauce.

Solution: Cutting down on frequent consumption of teeth staining beverages and foods can help slow the discoloration of teeth. The appearance of your stained teeth can also be improved with professional teeth whitening performed by your dentist during one office visit. Another alternative to teeth whitening is porcelain veneers. Veneers are a popular cosmetic dentistry procedure that consist of thin shells that cover your teeth in order to improve the shape, size, and color of your teeth.

DENTAL ISSUE #2: BAD BREATH

Bad breath is another common oral issue that leaves individuals avoiding meetings and conversations with friends and co-workers. Bad breath can be caused by a lack of good oral hygiene, including not brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash to kill bacteria on a regular basis. Temporary bad breath can also be caused by eating certain types of smelly foods, such as garlic. But more serious causes for ongoing bad breath problems are often halitosis and periodontal disease. 

Solution: As your dentist will recommend, brushing and flossing at least twice daily is the first line of defense toward bad breath, as well as many other common dental health problems, such as cavities. But halitosis (bad breath) and periodontal disease (gum disease) require more intervention by your dentist in order to protect your dental and overall health.

Often halitosis can be caused by bacteria on the gum line or back of the tongue, which can be addressed by a thorough oral cleaning during your next dental checkup that will improve the state of your breath. Periodontal disease, which is caused by plaque buildup, infects the gums and can deteriorate the tissue and bone. This disease is treated with periodontal therapy, which removes the plaque and bacteria, in order to calm the inflammation and stop the bad breath.

DENTAL ISSUE #3: CRACKS AND GAPS

Cracked or chipped teeth, in addition to full dental gaps where teeth are missing, are very traumatic dental issues that have a large impact on people’s ability to smile openly. These dental issues often create a reluctance to smile and communicate due to concerns related to the stigma of having damaged or missing teeth.

Solution: Cracked and chipped teeth can be addressed by your dentist in a number of ways, including cosmetic bonding, which is a quick way of cosmetically repairing damaged teeth by using a composite material to bond to and reshape the existing tooth. Missing teeth and large gaps in your mouth can be repaired through the use of dental implants. These implants are a permanent tooth replacement option that consists of your dentist implanting a titanium post into the jaw bone, which replaces the natural root, and attaching a natural looking replacement tooth to fill the gap.

For more information regarding the best dental solutions to improve or restore the appearance of your smile, contact our experienced dental team today to schedule your appointment.