Did you know that more than one-third of American adults feel dissatisfied with their smiles? Fortunately, you don’t have to settle for a grin you despise. There have never been more options when it comes to a smile makeover, but is one right for you?
When it comes to first impressions, your smile sets the tone for how people view you socially, romantically, and professionally. Instead of feeling hesitant to show off your teeth, check out what cosmetic dentistry can do for you. Read on for 10 facts to help you decide if a smile makeover’s right for you.
1) Smile Makeovers Offer Customized Results
Among the most dramatic ways to improve your appearance, smile makeovers come with many options. You can customize the results to your specific needs.
Cosmetic dental procedures include:
- Teeth whitening
- Dental veneers
- Composite bonding
- Tooth implants
When you visit a skilled dentist to discuss how to improve the appearance of your smile, they’ll take into consideration many factors such as your facial appearance, hair color, skin tone, gum tissue, lips, and the appearance of your individual teeth.
As a dentist looks at your teeth, they’ll also evaluate factors such as:
- Color
- Length
- Width
- Shape
- Tooth display
Then, they’ll go over their findings with you. You’ll review the cosmetic dentist’s plan of action, and discuss what it involves.
After this assessment, you can go over the best treatments available for your dental needs. They’ll help you design a smile that makes you feel proud.
2) The Costs Pay Off
Once you have a thorough understanding of the specific ways that a cosmetic dentist can improve the appearance of your smile, you’ll discuss cost. How long it will take to fix your teeth and the costs involved will vary depending on the individual. Other factors to consider include dental insurance coverage, where you seek treatment, and whether or not you have any other underlying dental health issues.
Your dentist will help you make an informed decision about the best procedures for your specific needs, and financing may be available. Although certain dental procedures get pricy, such as porcelain veneers, with careful maintenance they can last for upwards of 10 to 15 years. What’s more, the new opportunities afforded you will be well worth the investment.
3) Look More Youthful without Plastic Surgery
Tooth color and shading have a huge impact on how the world views you. When your teeth look stained or dull, they make you appear older than you are. But a smile filled with pearly whites implies fresh youthfulness.
While teeth whitening works for some, your dentist may suggest one of the following:
- Porcelain veneers
- Bridges
- Crowns
- Dental implants
- Composite bonding
If your dentist recommends porcelain veneers, they’ll carefully evaluate your skin tone and hair color to ensure the best veneer choice for your complexion. That way, you’ll come away with a bright, beautiful smile that looks natural.
But what if you’ve got obvious silver or amalgam dental fillings? These give your teeth a darker, more aged appearance. Get them replaced with tooth-colored restorations to revitalize your look.
4) Appear Confident & Polished
A cosmetic dentist will also take a closer look at how well your teeth fit together. They’ll check for gaps, overlapping teeth, and missing teeth. All of these can make you appear less professional and polished.
While the snap judgments people make about dental inconsistencies can be far-sweeping and misinformed, fixing teeth proves easier than changing minds. Fortunately, you can transform the way people look at you through a simple cosmetic dental procedure. Crooked or overlapping teeth can be straightened and aligned through orthodontics, Invisalign or invisible braces, and in some cases, even veneers.
5) Improve Your Self Image
“Bad” teeth affect more than your appearance and the way others look at you. They also impact the way you look at yourself. This, by far, has the greatest consequences when it comes to your life.
If you feel that you have to hide your smile, ask yourself this: “What else am I hiding from the world?” A low self-image can make you feel insecure and unsure of yourself.
These feelings lead to second-guessing, lack of ambition, depression, and withdrawing when you might otherwise charge forward. Low self-image undermines self-confidence. This leads to a vicious cycle.
6) Make Your Brand Sparkle
People meet you and assume things about you because your teeth look dirty and uncared for. They judge your economic status, social class, level of education, and even professionalism.
None of their assumptions may prove accurate, but you’ll feel the lukewarm reception and instinctively respond. You may lack confidence or feel insecure. Those already judging you will pick up on these subtle social cues, further reinforcing their initial suspicions.
Instead of getting caught up in this awful cycle, make an investment in yourself and your future by improving your self-image. Think of it as marketing yourself to the world. You are your brand, so make sure it sparkles from your smile to your accomplishments.
7) Boost Your Career Opportunities
According to NBC News, “In America, most people–including employers–make instant judgments based on appearance. including someone’s smile and teeth.” Although it isn’t fair or even logical, an unattractive smile can impact your future career opportunities.
Bad teeth can even keep you out of a job altogether. How much money are you losing because of a less-than-pleasant smile?
The esthetic value of your smile takes on even more significance if you want to work a job in the public eye. After all, when you put on the uniform of a company, you transform into a representative of their brand. If your appearance contradicts the company’s brand and culture, your odds of getting and keeping a job will suffer.
Many employment posts require you to smile and engage with customers. But what if you feel hesitant about even opening your mouth? You can’t effectively perform in such an environment.
If you’re planning for a career in leadership, public speaking, entertainment, customer service, and many other fields, do yourself and your career a favor by exploring how a smile makeover could improve your chances for success.
8) Ramp Up Life Satisfaction
In a study conducted by the American Dental Association (ADA), 38 percent of young adults rated their lives “less than satisfying” because of dental problems. Thirty-five percent suffered from issues biting and chewing. And one in five socialized less due to grin embarrassment.
When you feel insecure about your teeth, it impacts many other aspects of your life. You experience more difficulty eating. Dental misalignments and problems cause pain and headaches. Untreated tooth decay may even evolve into more serious, life-threatening conditions.
Smile correction increases the life satisfaction of patients. It helps them put their best foot forward and even increases their odds of scoring their dream job. Why not reap these benefits, too?
9) Improve Your Speech
While we’ve looked at how other people perceive dental problems, we have yet to discuss how they affect your speech. When you have misaligned or missing teeth, it can impact the way that you talk. This results in yet another layer of embarrassment.
Many people with dental issues have problems speaking clearly. They mispronounce words and may even stutter. Correctable dental problems make it hard to communicate.
If you’re in this situation, you may avoid jobs where you have to communicate directly with the public. Instead of changing your life and career aspirations, see a dentist for an evaluation. Not only can they improve your smile-appeal but they can ensure that you speak properly and fluently.
10) Appearance Matters
People with straight teeth have more opportunities in life. People perceive them as more successful and professional. They have more chances at romance.
They get more job offers and inspire greater respect from others. Yes, the welcoming reception they get remains based on superficial judgments. But we’re all guilty of them; they remain an unfortunate part of human nature.
How much do first impressions matter? More than 50 percent of Americans believe a person with crooked teeth is less likely to be hired than a similar candidate with straight teeth. And two in five Americans would avoid a second date with somebody due to obvious dental issues.
The way your smile looks has a HUGE impact on your life. In fact, you may not even know how profoundly it’s affecting you right now.
From popularity to intelligence, success to general health, people make snap judgments about you based on your smile. When it comes to first impressions, teeth prove a standout feature for most Americans, and these judgments impact future interactions, too. Learn more about how a simple dental makeover can change the way the world sees and treats you.
Is a Smile Makeover Right for You?
If you feel that the appearance of your smile is getting in the way of your life, then consult a dentist about the best smile makeover procedure for you. Dental problems can impact your speech, self-esteem, job prospects, and even romantic opportunities. Fortunately, dental interventions abound.
From teeth whitening to veneers, orthodontics to bridges, you’ve got more options than you may realize. You owe it to yourself to find out what smile restoration can do for you.
Have we piqued your curiosity, yet? Then, check out our health and wellness archives. From nutritional supplements to dental implants, we’ve got the latest and greatest research to improve your life.
