Your teeth have a lot to do with giving you the confidence to create a great first impression. A study shows that 76% of people base a person’s first impressions on their smile. Hence, the chances of people judging your teeth are more prevalent than those criticizing your looks.
Over the years, teeth are becoming a fashion statement. In Japanese culture, crooked teeth are the symbol of cuteness. While some blacken or sharpen their teeth. As opposed, in other societies, having a straight and perfect smile is the standard.
Even the media has a set image of what is considered beautiful. Models have a straight white set of teeth that are becoming a beauty standard. And since this unrealistic beauty standard is constantly highlighted, people with crooked teeth become more under-confident in their smiles.
How to Improve Your Smile?
Feeling under-confident or unsatisfied with your smile is not uncommon. According to a study conducted by Wakefield Research, one-third of Americans are unhappy with their smile. And among this unsatisfied lot, 36% of people believe their social life would improve if they had better teeth.
If you are among the population that feels like a smile is a gateway to forming the best impressions on someone, don’t get disheartened with your crooked teeth. Here are some ways in which you can improve your smile:
1. Orthodontic Treatments
Orthodontic treatments are based on your age, teeth alignment, jaw imbalances, teeth size, and more. Many people opt for these to straighten their teeth or other misalignment problems.
There are several types of orthodontic treatment, among which these are the most common ones:
- Invisalign: This effective and discreet teeth straightening method is a growing choice among adults. Invisalign is removable and works by pushing your teeth into place. It leaves you feeling more confident during the course of the treatment as they are too hard to notice from a distance.
- Traditional Braces: Traditional or metal braces consist of wires that hold the brackets in place. The brackets are threaded inside the wires, and tiny rubber bands are used to hold the brackets in place. Together, they exert pressure on your teeth, forcing them to straighten.
- Palatal Expander: This device consists of a plastic plate with screws attached to your mouth’s roof. It is designed to expand your upper jaw by exerting force on the joints of your bones, making more room for crowded teeth. Expanders can also correct crossbites, ultimately improving your smile.
2. Veneers
Have you ever wondered how some of your favorite celebrities have the perfect set of teeth? It’s the magic of veneers! Defined as an effective cosmetic treatment, veneers are porcelain tooth-colored shells placed on your tooth’s surface. They act as a masking tape to cover dental imperfections like stained, cracked, chipped, discolored, or irregular-shaped teeth.
Veneers shouldn’t be considered an orthodontic treatment. They cannot correct alignment issues. However, they will improve your smile by hiding your imperfections.
3. Whitening Treatments
Often the natural whiteness of our teeth fades as we grow older. The increasing intake of junk food, caffeine, and a sugary diet all affect the color of your teeth. One way to get rid of yellow teeth is to go for a whitening treatment from a professional Orthodontist.
4. Quit Smoking
Quitting smoking is not just good for your health but also your teeth, since it is a leading cause behind teeth stains. Sometimes, the stains can be polished off if it is on the exterior. But if it soaks into your enamel, it damages your gums. Once smoking affects your gums, they can recede, creating pockets, making the teeth appear longer.
5. Dental Cleaning
Dental cleaning gives you a plaque-free, bright smile. Apart from making your teeth visually appealing, this treatment helps scrub off bacteria from your teeth and save them from further serious dental problems.
6. Clean Diet
Consuming food or drinks high in sugar or acidic levels stains your teeth. Drinks like coffee, tea, and red wine create superficial stains on the outside of your teeth, which can later deteriorate your tooth enamel, leading to tooth decay. Try to rinse your mouth with water frequently after meals so that the liquid or food doesn’t sit for long. Eating mineral-rich food boosts the production of saliva needed to keep your teeth shining.
Apart from the above tips, don’t forget to brush and floss regularly to keep your pearly whites clean. Ensure you use a mouthwash post brushing to keep the bad breath and bacteria away from your mouth.
Visit your dentist regularly, and if you suffer from dental anxiety, try out some relaxation techniques to help you put the fear aside!
Author Bio:
Emily Taylor found the perfect fit for herself as the Online Marketing Manager at Thurman Orthodontics in Fresno CA as she believes that a great smile does more than just make a person look great – it makes them feel great as well. The power of a smile has always been a mystery to Emily, and she loves researching and writing about it. She loves to write about everything to do with a healthy bite and a beautiful smile – weather is it ways to achieve it or the importance of it in the various aspects of life. What brings a big smile on Emily’s face is her family and surfing. She also likes to bake, and her children and co-workers call her the cookie fairy!
Photo by Daniel Xavier
