When meeting someone for the first time, one of the first things you do is give them a smile. This can go a long way toward making sure that you leave a positive impression. However, what you may not realize is that the appearance of your teeth can end up saying quite a bit about you. Listed below are just 3 key examples from your dentist of things that your smile can reveal.

1. Your Age

Teeth are very durable, but they’re not immune to wear and tear. Over time, frequent biting and chewing can wear down your enamel. This can have a significant impact on the way your teeth look. In general, younger teeth have rounded corners while older teeth are squarer in shape. On top of that, you can expect your teeth to lose anywhere from 1 to 5 millimeters of their original length as time passes. In short, by looking at the state of your teeth, one can get a feel for your age.

2. Certain Parts of Your Personality

Believe it or not, your teeth can reflect your personality in a number of ways:

• Pointier canines can be an indicator of an aggressive personality type.
• People who are constantly anxious may grind their teeth, resulting in worn-down or damaged enamel.
• Those who have a tendency to take things easy may end up with flatter canine teeth. (This can be a result of certain habits like chewing on ice without thinking about it.)
• Some people spend a lot of time partying, and this can show on their teeth in the form of stains left by certain alcoholic beverages.

Knowing how your personality can potentially affect your teeth can give you an idea of what types of dental issues you need to be especially careful of.

3. Your Risk for Certain Mental Health Conditions

Believe it or not, your teeth can be a potential indicator of whether you’re at risk for developing specific types of mental health conditions later in life. For example, if your smile is in poor health overall, you may be more likely to suffer from Alzheimer’s at some point down the road; certain studies found that a type of bacterium linked to gum disease was present in the brains of those with Alzheimer’s.

If you want a complete idea of what exactly your teeth are saying about you, now is a great time to set up a visit with your dentist. They can take a look at the current state of your smile and let you know if there’s anything that you might need to be concerned about.

About the Author

Dr. Daniel Berquist attended the Indiana University School of Dentistry, eventually earning his Doctor of Dental Surgery. He holds membership with the Indiana Dental Association, the Dental Study Club of Northwest Indiana, and various other organizations. At his Crown Point practice, Berquist Family Dentistry, he welcomes patients of all ages and strives to bring them comprehensive care. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Berquist, visit his website or call (219) 226-0544.