Having a great smile is important for self-confidence and positive social interactions. A smile is one of the first things that we notice about others. Therefore, a pleasant smile helps you to make a good impression and maintain a professional appearance. Here are six of the most common causes of a flawed smile.
Genetics
Ideally, your teeth fit comfortably within the mouth. However, malocclusion occurs when the lower or upper teeth are misaligned or misshapen. Misaligned teeth result in a variety of dental problems, such as gapping and overcrowding. A space between the teeth, referred to as a diastema, can cause an unattractive smile. This can also result in cross bite, over bite, under …show more content…
bite and open bite. Fortunately, malocclusion can be corrected through braces, tooth removal and bonding or capping of teeth.
Aging
As we age, our tooth enamel wears down to expose the underlying layer of yellow dentin. Because of this, the teeth are even more likely to become stained from diet or lifestyle choices. Moreover, the nerves in teeth shrink as we grow older, which causes the teeth to be less sensitive. Chronic unhealthy eating habits and poor oral hygiene result in older adults having flawed smiles.
Fluoride
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that is essential to oral health.
Every day, bacteria and sugar form acid that breaks down tooth enamel. Fluoride reverses the loss of enamel through re-mineralization. Failure to drink fluorinated water and use a fluoride toothpaste will result in increased tooth decay. Talk to your dentist about receiving a prescription, extra strength fluoride toothpaste.
Diet Choices
There are different foods and drinks that cause stained teeth. Blueberries, blackberries and cranberries all can cause stains. Sauces, such as curry or soy sauce, can cause discoloration. Candy, gum and popsicles that temporarily discolor the tongue will mostly likely also stain your teeth. Red wine, sports drinks and carbonated beverages are laden with acidic chemicals. Even healthy drinks, such as black tea and cranberry juice, can stain teeth.
Lifestyle
Chronic tobacco use results in bad breath, gum disease and teeth stains. This is because nicotine turns yellow when mixed with oxygen. Therefore, as the tobacco makes contact with the teeth, it leeches into tiny openings in the enamel. Smokeless tobacco products, such as chewing tobacco, is much worse for the teeth. This is because there are higher levels of nicotine. Chronic use of chewing tobacco will cause the gums to receded and increase the rate of tooth
decay.
Medical Conditions
Certain enamel and dentin diseases cause tooth discoloration. For instance, systemic syndromes and dentinogenesis imperfect. Medical treatment techniques also can stain the teeth, such as chemotherapy. A dry mouth can increase the risk of developing tooth decay and gum disorders. This is because saliva helps to coat the teeth with neutralizing acids that destroy enamel. Certain antibiotics, such as doxycycline and tetracycline, can cause discoloration among younger children. Even antihistamines and hypertension medication can negatively impact teeth color. http://www.nature.com/bdj/journal/v190/n6/full/4800959a.html Failure to Regularly Visit the Dentist
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that only 60 percent of adults visit a dentist every year. Regular dental visits are an important way to keep your teeth and gums healthy. A visit to the dentist involves a check-up and cleaning, which result in improved oral health. Moreover, a visit to the dentist is an excellent opportunity to have your teeth polished or whitened. This will greatly improve the attractiveness of your smile. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/dental.htm http://southtempledental.com/salt-lake-city-cosmetic-dentistry/
To recap, an attractive and white smile is important for personal and social reasons. Some of the most common causes of a flawed smile include genetics, aging, failure to consume fluoride and poor diet and lifestyle choices. Medical conditions and failure to receive regular dental check-ups can also cause an unattractive smile.