The American Association of Dental Consultants, or AADC for brevity, asked American adults how important they believed a healthy smile is to positive social relations. It was found that 99.7% of those surveyed felt it to be very important. If we feel so strongly about each other’s teeth, how far should a person go to get a great smile?
Are You Happy With Your Smile?
As many as 32% of the public are not satisfied with how they look when they smile. It may be that their teeth are not perfectly straight, or that they wish their teeth were whiter. Some people find that even after fixing these basic problems that they are still not satisfied. Sometimes, gums may recede or conversely cover more of the tooth than is flattering. One tooth may be smaller than those surrounding it, making noticeable gaps. More problems are definitely not something we envision happening when our orthodontic devices are finally removed. But there is hope: cosmetic dentistry is able to fix these issues.
Can Cosmetic Dentistry Improve Your Quality of Life?
Some people do not smile in photos, for one reason or another. About 18% of people feel the need to keep their teeth covered in pictures because they do not want a permanent, visual reminder of their less-than perfect smile. It is sad to think of how many family photographs feature morose individuals not because they do not want to be there, but because the state of their teeth leave them feeling uncomfortable.
What is the first thing you notice about someone? Odds are, it is their smile. Especially when dating, 96% of adults say that a good smile is important for an attractive partner. But things are not only about objectivity. A straighter smile has been found to lower one’s risk of cavities. A missing teeth can cause health problems as we age. It is not only to have a nicer smile that people get a crown placed. Veneers can cover an unsightly tooth, true; but they are also used to cover a tooth with chipped enamel. Enamel is the strong covering over our teeth that helps protect them from cavities. Cracking that puts you at an increased risk of developing a cavity.
What Exactly Does Cosmetic Dentistry Do?
Cosmetic Dentistry is not typically as painful as orthodontics, which re-shape the position of the teeth. Cosmetic dentistry can re-shape the tooth itself by using a small drill. Or a dentist may place a veneer over a tooth that looks undersized compared to the surrounding teeth. Essentially, what cosmetic dentistry does is make sure your teeth are evenly shaped and evenly colored. While whitening treatments work, if a person had an injury to a tooth it may result in some discoloration that will not respond to traditional whitening treatments. Sadly, straightened teeth alone may not give you the smile you desire, as people sometimes find when the orthodontic device finally comes off. With a few special treatments that are customized to your unique situation though, it is possible to get a truly great smile.
A smile is one of the few things that stay the same as we age. It is one of the first things people notice about us. Perhaps looking after our teeth is one of the best investments we can make, with the longest lasting benefits. A picture-perfect smile can not magically solve all of one’s problems. But it can make a person feel better when they are laughing with loved ones in a picture or when they look into a mirror. And that is something worth having.
