Smiling is an important part of daily life. Smiling makes you feel good – it’s a natural mood boost. It also assists our bodies to release cortisol and endorphins. These chemicals bring various health benefits such as reduced pain and stress, lower blood pressure, and a strengthened immune system. In addition, smiling tones your facial muscles, and acts as a sign to others that we are confident and approachable. In turn, this can lead to greater success at work and even to a fuller bank account.
There is much advice out there about smiling more often and how it can improve the lives of both you and those around you. However, what if you’re unhappy with your smile? Perhaps you lack confidence because of insecurity about your teeth. Many people have low smile-confidence and there are lots of possible reasons for this.
Read on for our top four reasons why you may be reluctant to smile, and some suggestions for how to fix them. Whatever the reason, you can take steps to have a sparkling smile that you’re proud of.
Discolored or stained teeth
There are various causes of tooth discoloration. Tobacco can be a key factor – either chewing or smoking can lead to stained teeth. Similarly, some foods and drinks such as tea, coffee, red wine and some vegetables such as potatoes can cause discoloration. Other common causes include:
- Poor dental hygiene
- Illness or treatments
- Medications
- Advancing age
- Genetics
Teeth staining is a common problem that can make some people lose confidence in their smile. The good news is that there’s something that can be done to help. The first step is to visit your dentist and discuss your tooth discoloration. They will probably ask you some questions about your lifestyle to determine what may be causing it, and then advise you on steps to take to prevent the problem worsening. This might be to give up smoking or to improve your dental hygiene routine.
Additionally, to address the problem of yellow or brown teeth, a whitening procedure may be the way forward. Teeth whitening involves applying a special dental solution to your teeth, to recolor them white. Importantly, this must be carried out by a qualified dentist. If you’d like to explore teeth whitening, speak to your surgery and book an appointment.
There are also natural whitening solutions available, with varying reviews and success stories.
Crooked teeth
Crooked teeth are actually more common than not, and there are various possible reasons for it. Genetics is a leading cause. Our teeth grow in a certain shape and pattern, and largely this is out of our control, much like our eye color. Additionally, mouth shape can have an impact. If a person’s mouth is smaller than average, for example, they’re more likely to experience crowded teeth that then move and become crooked.
Bad habits such as thumb sucking can lead to teeth growing crookedly. Also, illness or injury can lead to severely unlevel teeth. When a jaw is shifted, or teeth are lost as a result of illness or injury, the remaining teeth will gradually move around to compensate for the gap.
Crooked teeth can be irritating and can even lead to some people not wanting others to see them smile. If this sounds like you, please rest assured that there are solutions to most teeth alignment problems. As with any dental issue, timing is key. Book an appointment with your dentist at the earliest opportunity and discuss the issue with them.
A leading cure for crooked teeth is braces. Perhaps you had braces when you were at school, or you may never have had them. Regardless, braces can have outstanding results when it comes to straightening your teeth. They’re not a quick fix, often taking between six months and two years to complete the process. However, it will be worth it. Furthermore, some types of braces are subtle and not easily visible from the outside, so you needn’t worry that they will add to your self-consciousness. Invisalign London offer great treatment options for crooked teeth, so be sure to check out your options on how to improve your confidence.
Chipped or misshapen teeth
Teeth can become chipped or misshapen for many reasons. Common causes for chipped teeth include:
- Falls, accidents or playing contact sports without mouthguard
- Biting hard substances
- Grinding your teeth in your sleep
Misshapen teeth causes can include:
- Genetic diseases
- Hormonal disorders
- Infections
- Trauma to the mouth
If you’re lacking confidence because of chipped or misshapen teeth, veneers might be worth exploring.
Veneers are fine pieces of porcelain that a dental professional will fit onto your teeth front, creating the illusion of perfect teeth. Behind the veneers, of course, your teeth will look as they did previously, but no one else will know that and it might increase your smile-confidence.
Not everyone would choose veneers as a solution and you should research the procedure thoroughly before making any decisions. For example, be aware that obtaining veneers means the dentist will need to remove a small layer from your teeth. However, once you’ve researched and weighed up your options, if you decide you want to move forward with veneers, they could offer a relatively simple and reasonably priced way to get the smile you’ve always wanted.
Missing teeth
Missing teeth is a common cause of low smile-confidence. As with the previous causes, they are solutions available for you to consider.
If you’re missing just one or two teeth, you may wish to consider an implant. Implants are essentially false teeth that a dental professional can permanently fix into the gap. It won’t impact your life in any negative way and you’ll be able to talk, eat and smile like you did before you lost the tooth. Additionally, implants can be produced to look similar to your existing teeth, so no one will know they are false.
If, on the other hand, you’re missing more than a couple of teeth, or even all of your teeth, dentures are probably the best options. Dentures are an affordable way to have a full smile back again. If you’re only missing some teeth, partial dentures are for you. Alternatively, if you no longer have any teeth, you can opt for complete dentures.
