No doubt about it: No matter how shallow we think it may sound, our appearance plays an incredibly important role in how we’re viewed by others. And when you think about it, it’s really not so shallow. The way we’re viewed isn’t just about beauty or handsomeness; it’s actually based a lot on how we care for ourselves – our grooming and even hygiene habits. Having a beautiful smile of straight, white teeth shows that we care about our health, and that increases the confidence others have in us.
Several studies have shown that making a great impression is important for both professional advancement and social success, and having a great smile is an important part of the impression you make. In fact, in one survey by the American Dental Association (ADA), respondents overwhelmingly chose a beautiful smile as a person’s most important physical feature. Choosing to improve your smile, then, is about more than simply looking better; it’s also about being perceived as a more attractive, more confident person.
More Than Cosmetics
So a great smile can help you feel more confident and improve the way you’re perceived by others. But that’s not all it can do. Improving your smile can also help you stay healthier. How?
If your smile is misaligned or if your teeth are crooked, crowded or misshapen, it can make caring for them much more difficult. When teeth are jammed together, even getting floss between them can be challenging. And when gaps occur, the exposed gum can become more easily inflamed by bacteria that lodge beneath it.
Smile design lets you correct all these problems, which means brushing and flossing are much easier and your teeth are less likely to provide spots where food can lodge and bacteria can multiply. That, in turn, means fewer cavities and a much lower risk of gum disease.
Reduced The Risk of Cavities & Gum Disease
In addition to healthier teeth and gums and fewer cavities, smile design also helps you achieve a more balanced bite. When your bite is unbalanced – that is, when misalignment prevents your upper and lower teeth from meeting properly – stresses and strains on the jaw joint and muscles can cause recurring headaches as well as pain and popping in the jaw joints. In some cases, you may find your jaw seems to “lock” in place when you yawn or open your mouth wide. These are the symptoms of tempomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), and left untreated, your symptoms will only become worse.
Smile design helps shift teeth into their proper places to realign and rebalance your bite. When your teeth meet the way they’re supposed to meet, those unnatural strains on your jaw joints are eliminated – and so are your TMJ-related headaches.
So there you have it: Sure, smile design can make you look and feel better. But it can also provide significant benefits that go far beyond the cosmetic advantages. And thanks to advances in treatments, getting your ideal smile can be faster, easier and less costly than ever before.
If you’re ready to get a great-looking smile, we’re ready to help. Give us a call today and schedule a consultation so we can discuss all the options we can provide.