Do you have teeth that are crooked, broken, stained or otherwise damaged? Restoring your damaged teeth may seem at first like a strictly cosmetic concern, but getting your teeth fixed for looks can also have benefits to your health. Teeth that are healthy generally look good too, so having an attractive smile goes hand in hand with good oral health and overall health. Here are three reasons that restoring damaged teeth is a good idea.

The benefits of a nice smile

Having teeth that embarrass you can be damaging to your emotional health. It is not vain to want a nice smile. Most people have basically straight teeth, so people who don’t tend to feel embarrassed by things that most people take for granted, like laughing out loud or simply smiling. People who hide bad teeth by not smiling are often viewed as unfriendly or unhappy.

An unattractive smile can negatively impact relationships and job prospects. You should not think of cosmetic procedures like veneers or dental bonding as frivolous, and see cosmetic dentistry as something that can be good for your self-esteem and your whole life.

A few damaged teeth can lead to more

Even if you have only one or two teeth that are damaged, the damage can spread if something is not done to correct the problem. Gum disease is common and many people are victims, even people who brush and floss regularly.

Gum disease can lead to tooth loss, and if you let just one tooth decay to the point that it falls out, your entire dental structure is undermined. When you have missing teeth, the surrounding teeth can begin to shift because of the gap that was left when the tooth came out.

Damaged teeth can cause pain

The pain of a toothache is sometimes the thing that gets people to finally make that dental appointment. What many people don’t realize is that other pain can be caused your teeth too, including headaches.

If you have crooked teeth or a bad bite, it can put too much stress on your jaws and cause a TMJ disorder, which can lead to headaches, face pain and pain in your neck and shoulders. Orthodontics or full mouth reconstruction to fix your bite and replace missing or damaged teeth can ease these symptoms.

Repair your damaged teeth

There are many options for restoring your damaged teeth including cosmetic and restorative procedures like dental implants, dental crowns, white fillings, braces, aligners and more. If you have damaged teeth, call your Milwaukee dentist for a consultation, and be on your way to a healthy and beautiful smile.