Anyone who keeps up with celebrity news or likes to flick through the pages of glossy magazines will have noticed that a perfect smile is an absolute must these days, but what happens if you don’t have a perfect smile?

Unfortunately, most people do not have perfectly straight, beautifully aligned teeth, but there are many treatments out there, from cosmetic remedies to orthodontic treatments that can help to address cosmetic flaws and improve the overall function of the mouth.

What impact does having bad teeth have?

People cope with aesthetic flaws in different ways, but it is common to suffer from a lack of confidence if you are unhappy with your appearance. If you hate your frizzy hair, you feel fat when you look in the mirror or you are constantly drawn to your wonky teeth, this undoubtedly has an impact on the way you perceive yourself and how much you value yourself; it is common for people who have body or image issues to suffer from a lack of self-esteem and to appear shy and withdrawn, especially when they meet new people.

Many people who have ‘bad’ teeth remember cruel jibes and taunts from school and the affects of bullying can last a long time. Confidence is really important; it gives you the strength, ambition and belief to try new things, meet new people and take on new challenges and without it, people can really struggle to live life to the full. Depreciated self-worth may also contribute to an increased risk of mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety.

Studies have also shown that bad teeth can impact on achievement at school; research shows that children who have poor oral health are likely to miss valuable school hours and those who are conscious about having wonky or crooked teeth or front teeth that stick out are more likely to suffer from low self-esteem.

What can be done to overcome bad teeth?

Dentistry is a field, which is advancing at lightening speed; the range of treatments is increasing year on year and there is a remedy for almost any flaw you could think of, from crooked and twisted teeth to crowding, stained teeth and missing teeth.

Cosmetic dentistry is designed to improve the look of the smile; cosmetic dentistry does not have benefits for oral health, but it can make the world of difference to confidence and self-worth, especially as most people value their smile as their most attractive feature.

Popular cosmetic dental treatments include tooth whitening, veneers, cosmetic bonding and tooth contouring. The aim of cosmetic dentistry is to create a beautiful, radiant and natural smile. The cost of cosmetic dentistry varies hugely, depending on the type of treatment you have; some treatments, such as cosmetic bonding, are very affordable, while others, such as veneers and a smile makeover, are much more expensive.

Orthodontic treatment

Orthodontic treatment is very popular because many people have orthodontic issues. Orthodontic issues affect the alignment of the teeth and the bite, which relates to the way the upper and lower sets of teeth fit together and they have aesthetic and functional implications for a patient. Even minor issues can affect the overall look of the smile and this is why treatment has become so popular. Many people have treatment during their teenage years, as it is often best to tackle problems as early as possible, but in recent years adult treatment has become extremely popular.

Modern orthodontic treatments use the latest technology and treatment times are much shorter than they used to be; treatments are also much more discreet and comfortable and patients now have an array of options, including clear braces, removable appliances and lingual braces such as STb Social 6, which are attached to the back of the teeth for optimum discretion.

Orthodontic treatment is designed to address a number of common problems, including crowding and spaces between the teeth, crooked and twisted teeth and issues with the bite.