What Your Teeth Reveal About You

Teeth often help identify the age and gender of people. As you get older, normal wear and tear change the shape of your teeth. For example, if you are younger, your central incisors (front two teeth) are probably more rectangular with rounded corners, but as you get older, the teeth actually wear down and change in shape. The corners become more square, and the tooth shortens anywhere between 1mm and 5mm in length.

Your lateral incisors (the teeth on each side of the front two middle teeth), may be shaped differently depending on your gender. Female lateral incisors are more rounded at the end and shorter than the central incisor. Male lateral incisors are square and closer in length to the central incisors.

If you have a lot of anxiety and stress in your life, you probably grind your teeth. In fact, about 70 percent of people who grind their teeth have anxiety and/or stress. If you grind your teeth a lot during the day, people may notice. Even if they do not, grinding your teeth can wear them down faster or lead to chips and cracks.

If you grind your teeth at night, it may not relate to anxiety. You may have something wrong with your bite. However, if your cause is stress, your best bet is to learn stress-management techniques, such as meditation or caffeine abstinence. If you grind while you sleep, ask your dentist about a mouth guard and/or if anything medically is possible to fix the problem.

Your teeth also can reveal your bad habits to everyone. First, if you have yellowish or brown teeth, people will sometimes assume you smoke or use tobacco products. Stains may also make people think you drink too much coffee, soda, or red wine. They may also assume you do not take much effort to keep your teeth clean with regular brushing and dental visits.

If you have a lot of cavities or noticeable fillings, you may eat a lot of sugary foods and might not take as good care of your teeth. If you have an infection such as gum disease or a tooth abscess, people may be able to smell it on your breath.

Finally, your teeth also can reveal your social status. Having nice teeth often takes a lot of work. Unless you are lucky, brushing and flossing at home is not usually enough. You still need regular dental cleanings and visits. If your teeth are in terrible shape, this looks like you cannot afford to go to the dentist for cleanings or minor treatments.

In severe cases, you may need veneers, whitening, crowns, or other cosmetic procedures to make your teeth look perfect. These treatments can be hundreds or thousands of dollars, so when you do fix your teeth with cosmetic dentistry, this can make people see you at a higher social status.

However, many treatments exist that can improve your smile. If you would like more information about tooth restoration and cosmetic dentistry, contact us at Pittsburgh Dental Spa today. We are always happy to answer your questions and concerns about your dental care and look forward to serving your dental needs.