Your teeth allow you to enjoy your favorite foods, speak clearly, and express your joy to the world. You might visit your dentist twice a year to keep your teeth healthy, but even healthy teeth may have cosmetic issues. A cosmetic issue is anything about your teeth that you don't like. If it bothers you on a regular basis, it's a problem that you should address. Here are four common cosmetic issues in teeth and the steps that you can take to resolve them:

1. Crooked Teeth

Crooked teeth may occur if your mouth is too small to accommodate your permanent teeth when they grow in.

Braces or clear aligners can straighten your teeth in as little as 18 months. These devices are tightened gradually over time in order to encourage your teeth to shift into a straighter, more even formation.

2. Discoloration

Tooth discoloration can occur for a multitude of reasons. In some cases, it's due to lifestyle choices such as drinking or smoking. Certain types of medication can also cause discoloration, as can drinking dark-colored or acidic beverages. No matter what the reason for your tooth discoloration, in-office teeth whitening can correct it. Your cosmetic dentist will mix up a custom batch of tooth whitening solution which will be applied to your teeth and allowed to cure. In as little as one treatment, you can have the whiter teeth that you desire.

3. Bite Misalignment

If your bite is misaligned, that means that your teeth don't meet the way they should. Your front teeth may stick out too far, which is called an overbite; alternatively, your front teeth may recede behind your lower teeth, which is called an underbite. Braces can fix minor cases of bite misalignment. If your case is more severe, a cosmetic dentist will still be able to fix it, but more intensive treatment may be needed. Braces with attached headgear can help to gently and gradually shift your jawbones into a more optimal position.

4. Misshapen Teeth

Teeth may be misshapen due to genetic causes or as a result of an accident. Impact with a hard surface can cause your tooth to chip in a noticeable way that doesn't cause pain or dental problems. Misshapen teeth can be hidden using dental veneers. Veneers are thin flakes of porcelain that a cosmetic dentist will bond to the front of your teeth. Your dentist will first score your teeth with a tool to help the veneers adhere. Veneers are a durable and permanent option to many cosmetic concerns pertaining to the outer surface of your teeth.

Contact a company like Kemper Pond Dental in order to learn more about your options when it comes to cosmetic dentistry.