I’m a dentist – from being insecure to battling stress, here’s what your teeth say about you
YOUR smile is one of the first things that people notice about you.
Whether you have a big grin or just there's just a hint of happiness, your beam can say a lot.
While our teeth reveal our oral health, one dentist has said that our smirks can also be an indicator of our overall health and lifestyle.
Dr Khaled Kasem said the colour, shape, and layout of your nashers can give away secrets about you and your personality that you might not realise.
"Dentists can discover a lot about a person from the inside of their mouth; there are tell-tale signs in your teeth, tongue, and gums that indicate what kind of a lifestyle you are leading.
"Teeth are an integral part of the body, and the size, shape and alignment of our teeth can also signify what kind of person owns them," he explained.
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Now the guru has revealed the five key things you should be looking out for when it comes to your pearly whites.
1. Small teeth
Dr Kasem, who is the chief of orthodontics chain said if you have small teeth, then it could be a sign of stress.
He explained: "Those commonly plagued with symptoms of stress and anxiety tend to have smaller teeth, and that’s because of the nasty habits we pick up along the way, the most common being nail biting and tooth grinding.
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"Both habits are destructive and can lead to serious dental problems as you’ll slowly be wearing away the surface of your teeth which could lead to cracks or even tooth loss.
"If you’re concerned about your stress levels, seek help from a medical professional.”
2. Cosmetic teeth
In recent years there's been a huge uptick in people jetting off to places like Turkey to have procedures such as veneers and composite bonding.
The expert said that having this done could indicate you are insecure and added that both procedures are done to conceal a smile we might feel self conscious about.
This, he said, could include staining, gaps and the shape of your teeth.
"While the issues may be minor, both options can be expensive and those who seek this treatment tend to be more insecure and care a great deal about what other people think of them," he added.
3. Discoloured teeth
If you often find yourself to be the life and soul of the party, the likelihood is your smile will reflect that, Dr Kasem said.
He added that being a ‘party animal’ often goes hand in hand with habits such as drinking lots of alcohol, smoking, and consuming lots of caffeine – all of which will be damaging the enamel and cause your teeth to discolour.
4. Crowded teeth
If your teeth are overlapping, angled, twisted, or rotated, it could be a sign of a chaotic lifestyle, and you need to slow down, Dr Kasem said.
"Our bodies react differently to stress, and while you might feel practical, overcrowding in teeth might be your body’s way of telling you to ‘slow down’.
"If you’re worried about your teeth or your lifestyle, try taking things easy, practice relaxation techniques, and you might just notice an improvement in the appearance of your smile."
5. Gapped teeth
Diastema is a gap between your teeth and can be caused by a number of different factors, such as natural growth, although it is sometimes an indication of a laid-back nature.
Dr Kasem said gaps in your teeth will appear if you’re suffering from gum disease, which is often because of poor oral hygiene.
"So steer clear of the constant flow of fizzy drinks and sugar-filled food and enjoy a balanced diet, instead," he said.
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Dr Kasem added: "The truth is your teeth can reveal a lot more about you than you might think.
"Through it all, though, remember to look after your adult teeth, as you only get one set to last you a lifetime!"