There is a strong connection between our oral health and our mental health. If we feel unable to smile or we feel embarrassment or shame about our teeth, it can affect our self-confidence, our self-esteem and our mood, contributing to anxiety, depression, and a host of other issues. As such, getting to the root of what is causing that stress and finding the solutions can help you improve your mental state.
Discolouration
Perhaps the most notable and common problem that people have is stained and discoloured teeth, which are usually a product of diet. However, enamel and darken and become yellow with age as well. Getting your teeth cleaned regularly by a dentist can help you prevent further staining, but you should also look at teeth whitening treatments that can help you undo some of the discolourations. A combination of at-home whitening kits and in-chair treatments tends to be the most effective approach.
Misalignment
Alignment problems, or crooked teeth, tend to be a problem that is solved during childhood. However, if you were not given the treatment you needed when younger or alignment issues didn’t appear until later in life, it can feel like there’s nothing to be done. However, there’s nothing to stop adults from getting braces or other aligning treatments. There are even products like Invisalign that can make the treatment more discreet. After all, there are many adults who might not want to be wearing visible braces in their 30s and beyond, but solving alignment issues is easier the sooner you act on them.
Missing teeth
It might seem once a tooth (or teeth) is gone, there’s nothing that can be done about it. However, that’s not the case and the sooner you act on it, the better your chances of fixing it. You can’t get your natural tooth back, but you can replace it with treatments such as dental implants from teams like The Meredith Clinic. These lifelike implants are designed to resemble your other natural teeth as best as possible. Replacing missing teeth is important, as well, as the gap they leave can affect the alignment of your other teeth and even result in jawbone loss over time.
Gum recession
Gums can recede for a range of reasons. One of those is bruxism, the grinding of your teeth at night, which you may be able to fix with the help of a mouthguard. It can also be a symptom of gum disease, which can be battled with a combination of the right toothpaste, mouthwash, and regular cleanings from the dentist. Gum disease can become a more serious condition called periodontal disease when left untreated, which is a major contributing factor to tooth loss, so it’s important to improve your daily hygiene habits to fight it.
It’s important to realise that the above issues aren’t being highlighted to increase feelings of embarrassment but to show you that there are steps you can take to start addressing them now. When you get active and start looking for solutions, it becomes easier to leave any embarrassment behind.
Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.