We all know we need to see a dentist for routine cleanings, and we’ll definitely go to one if we get a tooth knocked out in a ball game. You may have heard of the concept of cosmetic dentistry, though, and wondered either what it was or whether it?s something the average person really needs. Here?s an explanation of cosmetic dentistry and three good reasons to consider it for yourself.
What is It?
The main purpose of cosmetic dentistry is to make positive changes to the way your teeth and your smile look. Of course this is done within the context of good oral health and does nothing to compromise it; in fact, it can often be done in conjunction with general dentistry. Some of the things cosmetic dentistry can do include dental implants for replacing a tooth or strengthening adjacent teeth when one is lost. This visit to the dentist can also get you fitted for dentures, help to align your teeth in a more pleasant way, restore your gum tissues, whiten your teeth, or repair chipped teeth, among other things as well.
Is it Something I Need?
If you?re like most American adults, it?s highly likely you could benefit from cosmetic dentistry. Here are three reasons to consider it:
- You Care About Your Looks In a recent survey, 96% of adults said that a good smile is the most appealing thing in a member of the opposite sex. This isn?t something that changes with time, either. More than half of people over 50 say they think our smiles are the thing about us that stays most attractive as we age, according to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. And since 32% of us are worried about the way our teeth look, there?s a lot we can do in terms of straightening, whitening, or replacing lost teeth that can dramatically improve the impression we make.
- You Want to Be More Confident Knowing that your teeth and your smile look good is an important self-esteem issue in a world where we?re being photographed all the time. And that?s not even considering the first impressions we make at a job interview or on a first date. If you find yourself hiding your teeth when you smile or, worse, avoiding social situations out of concern for your mouth and teeth, it’s probably time for dental visit.
- You Want to Fix or Replace a Tooth This could be for cosmetic reasons, but it could also be something that bothers you and makes chewing and eating more difficult. About 20% of people in the United States have a less than ideal bite, which can often be fixed by cosmetic dentistry. You might, for example, have veneers made to fix missing or broken teeth, or gaps and misalignments that can make chewing a hardship.
There are a lot of reasons to look for a family dentist that provides cosmetic dentistry and see about improving your look and your confidence!
