The condition of your teeth is closely tied to your self-esteem. A big part of the reason teeth are so important to your self-esteem is that their condition communicates things to other people. If your teeth are straight, free from damage, and bright white you will give off the impression of someone who takes care of yourself. On the other hand, if your teeth are discolored, damaged, and decaying people will get a very different impression. Unfortunately, even if you take excellent care of your teeth and have issues that have nothing to do with neglect – such as damage from an injury – you may still live with the fear that people will judge you on how your teeth look. Four of the major issues with your teeth that have the potential to make you feel self-conscious include discolored, damaged, decaying, and missing teeth.

Discolored teeth

Teeth can become discolored from the food and drinks you consume each day. Surface stains build up and can cause your teeth to lose their brightness and appear discolored. Teeth can also become discolored below the surface. This type of discoloration can be caused by injury and certain types of medication. Living with discolored teeth can cause you to feel self-conscious and may lead you to avoid smiling or interacting with others. Fortunately, there are options for treating discolored teeth. For surface stains you can try over-the-counter options like whitening strips or invest in professional teeth whitening. If you have stains that are below the surface then the options for getting white teeth include porcelain veneers and porcelain crowns. Discolored teeth can have a negative impact on your self-esteem. If you regularly feel bad about the color of your teeth then consider the various whitening options.

Damaged teeth

Your teeth can become damaged in a number of different ways. Accidents can happen and leave you with a chipped or cracked tooth. Sometimes an everyday activity such as eating can lead to damage. No matter what caused the damage the end result is that you feel bad about the way your teeth look. There are several options for repairing damaged teeth. These options include composite fillings, crowns, and porcelain veneers. The right cosmetic procedure to repair your damaged teeth will depend upon the type and extent of the damage.

Decaying teeth

Having one or multiple teeth that are visibly decaying can lead to issues with your self-esteem. Serious decay can cause you to avoid situations where you have to interact with others. If you have decay on teeth that are close to the front of your mouth it can feel impossible to hide unless you avoid smiling and talking to others completely. In the past, the treatment for decay didn’t look much better than the decay itself. Dark amalgam fillings can still draw negative attention and cause you to feel self-conscious. Fortunately, improvements in dental has led to the development of composite fillings. Composite fillings are tooth-colored and can be used to treat decay.

Missing teeth

It can be extremely difficult to live with one or more missing teeth. If you have teeth that are missing it can lead to you avoid interacting with others and keep you from living your life to the fullest. In addition, missing teeth can make everyday tasks like eating more difficult. The bottom line is that living with missing teeth can be difficult. Fortunately, there are options for tooth replacement such as dental implants, fixed bridges, and dentures.

You do not have to continue living with teeth that are discolored, damaged, decaying, or missing. Cosmetic dentistry has options for treating a wide range of dental issues. You can get a smile that you love with the help of a dentist who is trained to perform cosmetic procedures.