If you are one of the genetically lucky ones, born with an even row of gleaming white teeth, count your blessings. You will never have to think about how to smile with ugly teeth or how to hide teeth that are not supermodel perfect. If you read that last sentence and thought, “Hey, I think about that every time someone whips out a camera!” then we are talking to you.
What we actually mean by ugly teeth
So what do we actually mean by “ugly teeth”? We are not here to tooth shame or make you feel worse about the state of your teeth.
Even with the best oral hygiene practices and diligent dental visits, there are some teeth that may not look the way you’d like them to. While proper oral hygiene and a good diet can go a long way towards a full set of shiny white teeth, sometimes genetics and other underlying health conditions work against us.
The most common health conditions or genetic influences that can result in ugly teeth include the following.
Fluorosis
Believe it or not, you can have too much of a good thing. Fluorosis is a condition that is caused by excess fluoride in the first eight years of life.
Too much fluoride causes a whiteish mottling on the teeth that is subtle but permanent.
Stains
Linked to an antibiotic popular between the 1950s and the 1980s, staining due to the use of tetracycline is permanent and can be extreme. Stains range in hue from deep yellow to bluish gray.
Teeth can also be stained by other materials.
Structural abnormalities
Bone structure is deeply individual, and some people are born with smaller jaws or other structural abnormalities. When this happens, overcrowding can occur, made worse by teeth that come in at odd angles.
Bone density can also affect the stability of the teeth in the jaw, making a person susceptible to tooth loss.
Health conditions
Sometimes health conditions (or the treatments for them) can cause ugly teeth problems like missing or cracked teeth or excessive (or accelerated) decay.
Radiation and chemotherapy for cancer treatment can cause teeth to become loose and fall out. People with diabetes and hyperthyroidism have a dramatically increased chance of periodontal disease.
Genetics
There are some conditions that have a genetic link. Sometimes teeth do not form properly, and sometimes parents pass on a tendency towards cavities or yellow teeth. Genes can also influence if your teeth come in crooked or straight. Careful dental hygiene can help, but there are genetic influences beyond your control.
No matter why they occur, ugly teeth can hold you back: from smiling, in your relationships, and in all social aspects of your life. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
What you can do about ugly teeth
Here’s the thing: you are not your teeth. You are the wonderful person inside the body, and your teeth cannot change the vibrancy of your personality, your wit, your intelligence, your strong work ethic, or your devotion to your community.
There is no rule that says you must spend hours of time and hundreds of dollars to fix your “ugly” teeth. In many cases, teeth that are less than perfect can still be structurally sound.
But if your teeth are impacting your daily life, it is important to think about your options. If you feel sidelined or self-conscious during social occasions, or you flinch when the phones come out for pictures, here are some options for cosmetic dentistry that can help.
Professional teeth whitening
While there is a place for at-home whitening (e.g., strips and toothpastes), nothing beats the results from professional teeth whitening.
Professional teeth whitening attacks the deep stains in the teeth (not just the superficial stains that most over-the-counter whitening addresses). While results will vary depending on the stains, most patients experience dramatic results with just one treatment.
Dentists usually offer tooth bleaching, laser whitening, and deep bleaching, tailoring your treatment to the kinds of stains on your teeth.
Invisalign
For teeth that need a nudge towards straight, Invisalign braces are a great option for adults who want to avoid a mouth full of metal.
These clear plastic aligners are custom made for you. Simply pop them in whenever you are not eating or drinking and switch the trays out as directed by your dentist for a straight, beautiful smile.
Dental veneers
You may associate dental veneers with movie stars and models, but regular folks get them, too.
Dental veneers completely cover chipped, slightly gapped, or deeply discolored teeth, resulting in a smile that is sparklingly clean and bright. These thin porcelain shells are durable and beautiful. With proper care, dental veneers can last for several decades.
Crowns
For patients with teeth that have significant damage but not enough to pull and completely replace, a dental crown is another great option.
Custom created to match the size, shape, and color of your existing teeth, dental crowns fit over a prepared tooth. They are a more permanent restoration because once the tooth is prepared it must always be covered by a crown.
Crowns can last anywhere from ten to 20 years, with some patients still looking good in their zirconia crowns for 50 years.
Bridges
Dental bridges come in four different types and replace one or more missing teeth.
Durable, natural, and beautiful, this type of cosmetic procedure can replace damaged teeth with sparkling pearly whites.
Dental implants
Dental implants are used most frequently to replace one missing tooth. This procedure takes several visits but the result is a long-lasting cosmetic restoration that is nearly indistinguishable from your natural teeth.
Smile design is a deeply personal collaboration between you and your cosmetic dentist, with the ultimate goal of a sparkling smile and restored self-confidence.
AZ Dentist is a Phoenix area cosmetic dentist whose main concern is your overall health and well-being. If ugly teeth are holding you back, get in touch today to discuss your options.