If you are like most people, you probably made some 2020 New Year’s resolutions. Was one of your resolutions to take better care of your smile? Hopefully so. In addition to the undeniable aesthetic appeal of having a beautiful smile, it also means that you are likely taking good care of your teeth and gums. So you are receiving a double benefit. Here are a few reasons why it is important to maintain a healthy smile as one of your top priorities this year and every year.
A Beautiful Smile Usually Indicates Good Health
There is no question about it. There is a strong link between good oral health and general health. Ultimately, every part of the body is connected. For example, if oral bacteria gains entry to your blood circulation, you can develop a serious systemic infection called sepsis. Left untreated, it could even affect your heart health.
If your teeth are healthy, you should have a white smile and straight teeth. Your bite is properly aligned and your jaw is functioning properly. Your gums will be pink, rather than red and swollen. If any of these aspects are missing from your smile, it could be an indication of a serious problem.
Americans’ Obsession with Perfect Teeth
One reason that Americans are obsessed with having a perfect smile is the influence of Hollywood and television. Celebrities always seem to have perfect teeth. But many of them did not start that way. They may have had minor imperfections that led them to have cosmetic procedures performed. Treatments like teeth whitening, dental bonding and dental veneers can turn an average smile into a truly beautiful one.
Discolored Teeth
The presence of discolored teeth can indicate that your tooth enamel has worn away, exposing the dentin layer underneath. Since the dentin is softer than enamel, any infection that reaches it can progress rapidly, potentially compromising the tooth. When things reach this point, things can deteriorate rapidly, as infection reaches the interior of the tooth. Known as the dental pulp, an infection here can cause the loss of the tooth or other health problems.
Additional Problems
- If you have cracked, misaligned or worn teeth, this could indicate a bad bite.
- Missing teeth can lead to problems with adjacent teeth and more tooth decay.
- An off bite can cause TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder), further leading to pain in the jaw, clicking noises and unexplained headaches.
- Receding gums can damage bone and cause the loss of teeth.
- There is a strong link between gum disease and stroke, heart disease and diabetes.
So keeping up with your oral health is good for both your smile and your overall health. Furthermore, taking steps to correct problems as they develop means that you can avoid more invasive and expensive procedures down the road.
Your Confidence
When you feel good about your smile, you tend to have improved self-esteem. It is sad to see people covering up their smiles, or stopping smiling altogether, because they are embarrassed about their teeth.
When you have a beautiful and healthy smile, it is more likely that you will also have the confidence to proudly smile and feel comfortable in your own skin. This is something that every person should be able to experience. Achieving a beautiful smile is not merely an investment in attractive teeth, but an investment in your self-esteem and bright future.
You Can Achieve a Beautiful Smile
There really is no excuse for neglecting your oral health. It is not like forcing yourself to go to the gym every day. A resolution to take care of your teeth just involves maintaining simple, regular habits like brushing and flossing regularly, which goes a long way to keeping your smile healthy and bright.
At Village Green Dentistry, we encourage everyone to keep up with their regular dental checkups and appointments. Something as simple as visiting periodically to have your teeth cleaned can help you avoid complex and costly dental procedures in the future.
Sometimes, no matter how carefully we keep up with our at-home oral care, we find that their smiles need a little touch-up now and then. Do your teeth need some work to obtain the smile that you desire, such as dental crowns, braces or veneers? We can help there as well.
Don’t let insecurities about your smile take a toll on your confidence and self-esteem. If you are uneasy or embarrassed about your smile, contact the office of Dr. Dmitry Sokol today to discuss the many treatment options available at Village Green Dentistry of Lincolnshire, Illinois