If your smile is less than perfect, you may be tempted to ignore it. After all, lots of people have less-than-perfect smiles, and unless there’s something really unattractive about your smile – visible crowding of the front teeth or an obvious overbite or underbite – what’s the point of having your smile corrected or improved? There are two reasons, actually, and the first one is easy, although it’s not always obvious to a lot of people with relatively minor bite problems: Having your smile “fine-tuned” and corrected can cause a major boost in your self-esteem and self-confidence.
Most people with minor smile issues may think their imperfect smile doesn’t play a big role – or any role at all – in the way they feel about themselves or interact with others. But the fact is, once these patients have these seemingly small problems addressed with a careful plan of action, they’re amazed at how much better they feel about themselves and the image they present. Is that vanity? No – it’s reality. Studies have shown that the people we meet put a huge emphasis on our smile and how it appears. People with crooked or misaligned teeth are often viewed with less assurance and trust, and that can have an impact both socially and professionally.
But beyond the appearance factor, smile design offers big benefits for your health – and that’s something most people don’t recognize when they’re deciding whether or not to have those “minor” issues addressed. How does smile design help your health? In a couple of ways. First, crooked teeth are just harder to clean. That means there are more places for food particles to hide and more places for bacteria to grow and multiply. And of course, that means there’s a much greater chance you’ll develop cavities and gum disease – even a much greater risk of eventual tooth loss.
Second, having your smile corrected helps address underlying bite issues that can cause tooth breakage, cracks and chips, all of which can increase your chances of decay and tooth loss.
Studies have also shown that tooth bacteria can cause other health problems, including cardiovascular issues, so having your smile corrected can be a powerful way of helping make sure your overall health is as good as it can be.
Finally, correcting your bite through smile design also helps ensure your bite is balanced. Teeth are designed to work in pairs, one above the other. When teeth are crooked and don’t meet properly, the structure of your jaw pays the price by becoming strained. The result: Frequent headaches or jaw pain and often, clicking when you yawn or eat. All of these are signs of tempomandibular joint disorder or TMJ, a medical condition that can get worse if left untreated.
At Dentistry for All Ages, we specialize in offering the smile design treatments aimed not only at helping you look better, but also at helping you feel better and stay healthier. Dr. Freano is trained in all the advanced techniques used in smile design, including the Dawson Diagnostic Wizard, a computer-based tool that helps identify underlying dental issues and map out a clear path to a better, healthier smile.
During your initial evaluation, Dr. Freano will talk with you about your concerns and explain how the smile design can help uncover issues you may not even know about, but which could have a big impact on your health – now and in the future. Give us a call today at 859-296-9711 and schedule your appointment so you can get started on leading a healthier, happier life.