Dating when you have Bad Teeth

Fair or not, there is no denying that an attractive appearance gives one an extra edge on the dating scene. Thus it is not unusual to find guys and gals with shiny hair, glowing skin and awesome figures stealing all the attention. But for the average crowd even something as basic as teeth can influence a single’s chances with a potential date. So if you are unlucky to be saddled with bad teeth and are looking for love, here are a few things you may want to keep in mind.

How dental problems can impact dating

Appearances have always played an important role in success of dating relationships and with increased emphasis on the superficials in modern consumerist culture, the stress to achieve killer looks had got only more intense. Thus if you have yellow teeth, crooked teeth, buck teeth or missing teeth, you are less likely to receive amorous advances, at least from strangers who do not know enough about your other qualities which may compensate for your far from perfect looks. But even bigger deal breakers are bad breath and rotting teeth so that even if you come off as an otherwise likable person, just the sight of black holes in your mouth when you laugh or talk or dragon breath when you hold your face close to your date, can ruin all chances of a successful love life.

Zero in on the problem

The only effective way you can set about dealing with your dental issues is to consult a professional. Dental treatment is among the most expensive kinds and hence many people avoid going to the dentist till it can be avoided no more. But if you are keen to have an active social life and you realize that your bad teeth is holding you back, you need to take certain definite steps. Consulting a dentist will at the very least help you to zero in your problems – whether it is about crooked teeth, unsightly gaps between teeth, rotting teeth or bad breath. Moreover a consultation will also inform you about the options you have at hand and how much they are going to cost. From then on, you can decide what dental work you can and cannot afford and then accordingly plan your next step. If resources are a problem, see if your health plan covers dental treatments; if not, you can check out state-run, public or teaching hospitals where dentist’s consultation may be cheaper than appointments with dentists running private practice. Also check in your area for discounted dental programs, such as those at a university.

Beware of associated health problems

A visit to the dentist may not only be important to revive your social life but could be life saving in fact. A professional would be able to diagnose if there are serious health problems underlying your dental problems. For instance, short-term bad breath may be caused by consumption of strong-smelling foods or lack of oral hygiene, but if the problem persists for long and does not appear to be solved by occasional mints or mouth gargle, it could be indicative of underlying dental problems or lifestyle causes like smoking. Indeed teeth problems if left unresolved could lead to other health problems too. Infections from bad teeth can invade other teeth and deteriorate gum lines, leading to future gum disease known as periodontal gum disease. Teeth that are missing or partially gone, lead to misaligned teeth and poor overall dental health. Severe infections have also been known to infect bones leading to gum line bone loss. Then again certain kinds of cardiac conditions like heart infections, high blood pressure, clogged arteries, joint pains and even stroke are thought to be related to poor dental health. Sub-acute bacterial endocarditis is one such heart infection related to poor dental health. Bacteria target an already weak or damaged heart structure such as a bad mitral valve, and damage surrounding tissue. A timely dental consultation would not only diagnose such hidden conditions but may prove to be a lifesaver in fact.

See what you can do yourself

While there is not much about a rotting tooth or infected gum that you can do about, in some minor dental issues at least you could bring about a positive difference with committed oral care. If you are bothered by yellowing teeth, look for time honored home-based tips like using baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and tart fruits like strawberries which can naturally whiten teeth. Again teeth grinding is a common cause of some dental problems like chipped teeth and if continued can even lead to cavities, jaw pain, headaches and tender gums. Most experts believe emotional stress is a factor in teeth grinding scientifically known as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) and clenching known as bruxism. Thought Self-detecting the condition may be difficult because most people who grind or clench do it while they sleep, Look for telltale signs like flattened or chipped teeth and sore facial muscles in the morning. Practice self-restraint to avoid this condition or use Mouth guards which work by reducing friction between your top and bottom rows of teeth.

Even as you go through dental treatments to deal with bad teeth issues, never skip the basic rule of oral hygiene – which is to keep your teeth clean by brushing and flossing. Also take care to avoid foods and drinks; those that have caffeine in them, such as coffee and tea, red wine and sodas can stain your teeth while sweet, sticky foods are among the most common sources of cavities. Above all, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables that are hard or crispy. Crispy fruits like apples have abrasives that help lift the stains away from the teeth. Also eating hard foods like carrots or celery are known to get rid plaque build-up on teeth. Apart from the texture of such foods that are directly helpful for scraping away stains, they are enriched with all sorts of vitamins and minerals which promote overall health and immunity.

Finally even as you are addressing your dental issues, shift the focus on other aspects of your looks and personality. If you are unhappy about showing your teeth, highlight something that you are proud of – for instance style your hair to bring out the full glory of your shining tresses or wear well-cut clothes to compliment your well-toned body. This approach involves keeping your flaws in the background while shining the spotlight on your gifts so that the ultimate impression is of an attractive appearance. Likewise take measures to enrich your personality like learning a new skill, language, hobby or taking a class. Widening your intellectual horizons and brushing up your conversational skills will to some extent draw attention away from your bad teeth to more favorable aspects of your personality. After all an ideal date is not simply who can flash a dazzling smile but also one who offers shared interests, wit, kindness and values in a relationship.