Afraid of smiling because of your unsightly teeth? National Dental Centre experts underline the root causes of dental woes and reveal cutting edge aesthetics procedures to help improve your smile.

1. Gum Disease What it is Gum disease is a gum infection that destroys the attachment fibres and supporting bone that hold teeth. the main cause is dental plaque, a stickly, colourless film that forms around the teeth. Toxins produced by bacteria in plaque destroy supporting tissues round the teeth, including the bone. Common signs include bleeding gums during brushing, swollen or tender gums, boils, pus, loose or separating teeth, persistent bad breath, minor discomfort and a change in the way teeth fit together when biting. Who gets it Women who have poor oral hygiene and a higher, inherent risk for gum disease. Other risk factors include smoking, hormonal fluctuations such as those during pregnancy and chronic diseases like diabetes. Recent research has linked cardiovascular disease and preterm low birth weight babies with gum disease. Hence, gum health is very important in prenatal care. Solution Scaling and root planing with careful follow-ups and good oral hygiene practices tailored to suit a patient's dexterity and lifestyle. In certain instances, surgery is needed to control the gum disease. It can also enhance the aesthetics of a patient's smile. Gum disease can be checked during the routine 6-monthly dental checkups. 2. Poor Tooth Shape What it is Poor tooth shape can occur because of defective tooth development, trauma to the tooth, extensive tooth decay resulting in breakdown of tooth structure, and poorly contoured restorations. These result in unaesthetic-looking teeth and possibly tooth discolouration. Who gets it Those with defective tooth development, tooth decay, poor restorations as well those who have experienced dental trauma. Solution Dental restorations or veneers. Veneers are thin, custom-made shells made of tooth-coloured materials that are designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve the overall appearance of teeth. Veneers can do the following: Correct poorly formed or mildly malpositioned teeth, close gaps between teeth, mask internal stains and restore partially broken down teeth. 3. Missing Teeth What it is Dental decay, gum disease and dental trauma are everyday occurrences that can lead to the loss of teeth. The loss of one tooth or several teeth can compromise eating efficiency, speech and appearance. If lost teeth are not replaced in time, neighbouring teeth will tip into the spaces, resulting in gaps between teeth that tend to trap food. Who gets it Women with poor oral hygiene, who snack on sweets and sticky food, and do not have regular dental check-ups, as well as women who experience dental trauma. Solution Missing teeth may be replaced with a denture, bridge or dental implants. 4. Discoloured Teeth What it is Tooth discolouration can occur externally or internally. External causes result in stains found on tooth surfaces and are brought about by the deposition of coloured compounds derived from foodstuffs like tea, coffee and colas. Tobacco use and inadequate cleaning of teeth can also cause external tooth stains. Internal stains are due to physiological ageing, trauma, dental decay or genetic factors. Excess fluoride intake or tetracycline ingestion during the tooth’s formative years can also cause discolouration. Who gets it Those who smoke, have poor oral hygiene habits such inadequate tooth brushing and flossing, and those who have dental decay or have experienced trauma. Solution External stains can be removed by scaling and polishing. Internal stains can be treated with tooth whitening methods such as in-office tooth bleaching. You can also try a home bleaching regime under the supervision of your dentist. 5. Poor Teeth Alignment and Fit What it is Poor teeth alignment is known as malocclusion. It refers to any degree of irregular contact between the teeth of the upper jaw and the lower jaw. This includes deep, open or cross bites and overjet problems. Malocclusion is most often hereditary. Extra, malformed, impacted or lost teeth, and teeth that erupt in an abnormal direction are contributing factors. Variations in size or malformation of either jaw and birth defects such as cleft lip and palate may affect the shape of the jaw. During infancy, habits like thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, pacifier use beyond the age of 3 and prolonged use of a bottle can also affect the shape of the jaw. Symptoms include abnormal alignment of teeth, abnormal appearance of the face, difficulty or discomfort when biting or chewing, speech difficulties and breathing through the mouth without closing the lips. Who gets it Woman with a family history of the condition. Refer to the information above for risk associations. Solution Braces and extraction. Surgery may be required to lengthen or shorten the jaw, while retainers will be required to maintain the new position of the teeth. *image courtesy of www.bigfoto.com