Are you concerned about your imperfect smile and the way it looks to other people? Then you’re not alone: Between 53 percent and 67 percent of men and women worry about the way their smiles look to others, according to the results of a recent study that polled 2,000 men and women about their perceptions of their own smiles and the smiles of other people. That’s just the most recent in a long string of studies that have shown the amazingly important role an attractive smile can play in day-to-day living.
For instance:
· A study published the journal Neuropsychologia found that smiling at someone actually causes an area of the brain called the orbitofrontal cortex to become activated. This region of the brain processes sensory rewards, suggesting that seeing someone smile at you can actually make you feel better.
· A similar study found that smiling can actually be contagious; the smiling response occurs in an area of the brain called the cingulate cortex, an unconscious automatic response area.
· A study performed at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland found that both male and female study participants were more attracted to people who smiled at them than to those who did not.
· One study of recent college grads found those who smiled more were more likely to receive job offers.
· About two-thirds of men and women reported the smile as being the feature that they find most attractive in people of the opposite sex.
· Multiple studies have revealed that smiling actually relaxes you and helps you produce stress-relieving reactions that can improve your overall health.
As these studies – and many more – show, holding back on smiling or smiling in a way that makes you appear unsure or less than friendly can have a major impact on your ability to get ahead, both socially and professionally, and it can even have an effect on your psychological well-being. Yet many people feel uncomfortable smiling because of problems like crooked, chipped or cracked teeth, overbites, underbites or other problems.
Perhaps the saddest part is that all of those problems – and a host of others – can be simply managed with today’s smile design treatment programs. Smile design looks at the current state of your mouth – your teeth, your gums, your jaw and your bite pattern – and uses a battery of images combined with a thorough dental exam and comprehensive questionnaires to determine how to help you achieve the smile you want to see when you look in the mirror each day.
At Dentistry for All Ages, we use the Dawson Diagnostic Wizard, a state-of-the-art advanced diagnostic and treatment tool that can help plan out a course of treatment that will address all the underlying issues that are holding you back from flashing a confident, attractive smile. From cosmetic issues like cracks and chips to misalignments that could cause tooth decay, gum disease, tooth loss and jaw disorders, the Wizard uses computer technology to design a treatment program that’s aimed at addressing your unique needs.
Dr. Freano has specialized training in advanced bite mechanics and other areas of smile design so you don’t have to spend time and effort tracking down individual specialists. She can also provide preventive care and guidance to help ensure your new, confident smile stays in the best shape possible.
If you’re one of the roughly 60 percent of people who are dissatisfied with the appearance of their smiles, there’s an easy solution: Call us today at 859-296-9711 and schedule an evaluation so e can discuss your unique needs.