Do you have a special social event coming up? Are you looking for a new job? Or are you just trying to become the best you that you can be? In case you haven't noticed, the importance of first impressions should not be overlooked. For example, a clean, light and healthy smile during a first meet for a job interview can easily mean the difference between unemployable and an ideal candidate, but this is not only due to the superficiality. Though a somewhat faulty practice, the health of your teeth is often subconsciously associated with the health of your body and lifestyle in general. So what are some signs that your lifestyle habits or general health may be brought into question with a simple smile?
Discoloured Teeth
Though many toothpastes and at-home remedies claim to whiten teeth, the truth is that the vast majority are lacking scientific backing, or produce results which are simply negligible. You can't just brush the yellow away, either; in fact, this could make your teeth yellower. The more you brush, the more of the whiter, older enamel from your childhood is brushed away, revealing a yellower, darker layer of dentin. If you want your teeth to actually become whiter, your only option is generally a dentist's teeth whitening.
Sensitive Teeth
Tooth sensitivity can be a real pain, but what causes this common problem? When you eat sugary substances, or substances composed of simple carbohydrates, you're feeding a select group of your mouth's permanent bacterial residents, who also happen to produce strong acids as a by-product of their metabolization process. These acids wear down the enamel coating your teeth, making them porous. These pores then let foods and drinks through your enamel, to the more sensitive parts of your teeth, often causing pain or discomfort while eating cold or sugary foods or drinks. If you want to really halt and reverse the process of tooth sensitization, you should get an appointment with your dentist for care and treatment recommendations. Not to mention, the cause for tooth sensitivity is often an unnoticed cavity, which you should get ruled out by a professional.
You're Overdue for a Check-Up
Because you likely look in the mirror every day, like many things such as hair growth, dental change can easily go unnoticed. If you want an educated, medical, and objective look at your teeth, the best you can do is have a dentist describe this look to you. Even if you haven't noticed any change at all, you should get a check up at least once a year if you're over 30, and once every two years if you're under 30 and a healthy non-smoker. But if you've noticed any problems such as advancing gum recession, or any signs of a developing cavity (toothache, white patches, brown patches etc.), you should book a dentist appointment ASAP, as these problems are almost always easier to treat when they first begin to show symptoms.
Share27 May 2019
I have worked as a school nurse for decades. Children come to me with all sorts of scrapes and bumps and bruises. Black eyes from playing football, sprained wrists from falling off the monkey bars and stomachaches from too many sweets are common complaints. However, the issue that seems to cause the greatest angst is tooth problems. Sometimes a child will have a second tooth knocked out when playing sport and parents arrive in tears. At other times, children come to my office crying because their friends are teasing them about teeth that are discoloured or stick out. I take an active interest in the latest dental news so that I can give parents and children comfort and advice. I have included some of my collected wisdom on these pages. Perhaps this information can help you understand some options when faced with a dental problem. Thank you for reading.