Your teeth are an integral part of your body, responsible for chewing your food so that you can get it into your stomach and start extracting nutrients from it. Or, at least, that’s the medical definition. Every woman in the world knows that teeth are so much more than that. They’re not just inert grinders on the insides of our mouths, but something that we put on display every day. We want our teeth to be two pearly white rows of beauty, not a brown and misshapen mess!
For many women, their teeth are a profound source of anxiety and troublesome thoughts. In a world dominated by social media, anything less than perfect teeth is not acceptable. It seems as if everyone from the Kardashians on down is now sporting the ideal look. It never used to be that way.
It’s worth point out, however, that people are seeing the world through a filter. Literally.
The vast majority of accounts upload heavily edited pictures, designed to cut out some of the imperfections in their images. It turns out that just like in real life, the vast majority of people don’t have the type of perfect teeth that you see on toothpaste adverts. Don’t get me wrong: their teeth are often in good shape, but they’re usually not as perfect as they like to make out.
The problem with all this filtering is that it can lead to a negative self-image. You can compare your own ones to those that you see via the internet and assume that there’s something wrong with you or that you were born unlucky.
Of course, that’s not even close to the truth. Most people who post on Instagram have gone to the dentist, had years of work done, and then added filters anyway, just to make them look even more perfect.
Unfortunately, the quality of a person’s teeth is one of the first things that a person notices. If you don’t use an emergency dental clinic that cares when you have a toothache, for instance, it can lead to further complications down the road. You could end up losing teeth and have gaps in your smile.
If you cover your mouth when you smile, you’re not alone
For some, the problem of bad teeth is so bad that they choose to cover their mouths when they smile.
Research from Britain shows that around a third of people in the country aren’t happy with the way that their teeth look and that 27 percent cover their mouths when they smile. A further 18 percent put their hand over their mouth when smiling, and 22 percent said that they avoid smiling in photos because they don’t want to show their teeth.
The reasons for not showing teeth can include everything from having crooked teeth to discoloration or even missing teeth. People in this category often find it hard to relax in the company of others and continually worry that they will expose their secrets.
For most women, therefore, there are two options for improving wellbeing. The first is to find a way to become happy with the appearance of their smile. Some women eventually find peace, accepting that their teeth aren’t perfect, but that they’re “good enough.” This approach can take a lot of time and patience. The way your teeth look is heavily wrapped up in how you feel about yourself and your self-confidence.
The other way to fix the problem is to go to the dentist. Dentists have a plethora of interventions that they now use to correct problems. The tools that they have at their disposal are quite remarkable and can fix practically any problem with a range of techniques.
If you have crooked teeth, for example, you can now get fast-acting braces that adjust their position rapidly, giving you a beautiful, straight row of teeth in just a few months. If your teeth are chipped, cracked, or slightly twisted in their sockets, you can get veneers – small bits of porcelain – that cover up the imperfections and otherwise look just the same as regular teeth.
Finally, if you have missing tooth, you don’t necessarily have to wear dentures. You can get dental implants which behave in pretty much exactly the same way as regular teeth. A metal post fuses with your jawbone and acts as a root. Then the dentist places a porcelain composite crown on top, designed to match the shape of the rest of your natural teeth.
Even simple interventions like going to the hygienist can make a big difference. For instance, if you notice tartar on your teeth, dentists can remove it and leave your teeth looking much whiter and shinier. If you drink a lot of tea or coffee, your dentist can also remove the stains that accumulate on your teeth than make them look brown.
Don’t avoid the dentist: You could end up feeling worse
Going to the dentist is something that you shouldn’t avoid. Often your dentist can see problems before they develop into something more severe.
What’s more, if your teeth are infected, or you have gum disease, it can lead to inflammation that makes you feel worse. Not only are you in pain, but all the inflammatory factors that rush to the site of the infection also get into the brain, increasing feelings of lethargy and anxiety. It’s not a pleasant experience.
So what’s the solution? How can you start smiling again and feel better about yourself?
Begin if you can by making friends with your hygienist. This person is your first line of defense against problems that can lead you to feel bad about your situation. Regular visits to the hygienist will ensure that your teeth continue to look great long-term.
If yours are slightly crooked, then there are a variety of solutions out there, many of which are inexpensive and act quickly.
The bottom line? Do something now to prevent them from causing you mental health issues it the future.