When you have a general dental problem, there’s little debate as to whether you should seek help. If you have a toothache, you need to see a dentist if you want the pain to stop and hope to save your tooth.
When people have issues with their smile’s appearance, however, they tend to agonize over whether to pursue cosmetic dentistry. Given insurance is unlikely to cover such procedures, a smile makeover can seem like a luxury. At Radiance Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we take a different view. We believe everybody should have a smile they’re happy to flash. So how do you know when it’s time to consider a smile makeover?
If your unsightly smile eroding your confidence?
When we look in the mirror–particularly that merciless rearview mirror–people tend to zero in on our flaws. Many of these perceived shortcomings are barely noticeable. Some people, however, have very real cosmetic concerns with their teeth, like:
- A “gummy smile”
- Bite issues
- Chipped teeth
- Discolored or stained teeth
- Gaps in their teeth
- Missing teeth
- Noticeable metal fillings or crowns
- Teeth that are too large or too small
Whether your oral imperfections stem from genetics, lax dental hygiene or lack of access to proper dental care, what matters is how you feel about them. Unfortunately, a third of Americans are unhappy with their smile, according to an American Association of Orthodontics study.
This dissatisfaction can lead to self-consciousness, as evinced by the 48 percent of younger survey respondents who’ve “untagged” a Facebook photo because they disliked their smile.
It’s hard to be at ease when you fear people are judging your teeth. It can cause you to suppress your smile, whether you’re chatting with friends or a co-worker calls for an impromptu group photo. Having this kind of low self-esteem makes you vulnerable to depression, according to a study by researchers at the University of Basel. With this much as stake, a smile makeover may well be more of a need than a luxury.
Is the state of your smile damaging your social life?
Of the third of Americans unhappy with their teeth, 36 percent say their social life would improve if they had a better smile. Twenty-two percent believe their love life would be enhanced by a more appealing smile.
Some of these social challenges may be a matter of confidence. To build a social circle, you need to interact with people and you’re less likely to mingle if you fear your teeth will lead to rejection.
It would be heartening to say such concerns are unfounded, but the numbers tell a different story. The number-one attribute people consider when choosing a prospective romantic partner is the state of their teeth, according to a 2013 survey. And 77 percent of women surveyed by the AAO say they’d consider dating a man with a receding hairline over one with crooked teeth.
If you believe your teeth are holding back your relationships, it may be time to consider a smile makeover.
Are smile issues impeding your career?
As if having your confidence and social life hampered by dental issues isn’t enough, an unattractive smile can also keep you from career advancement.
Fourteen percent of people dissatisfied with their smile say sub-par teeth has caused them to miss out on a better job. Given that 78 percent of Americans say people with crooked teeth are unsuccessful, it’s quite possible.
An unattractive smile can also hinder your pay grade. According to Catherine Hakim, a senior researcher with London’s Center for Policy Studies, attractive workers earn between 7 and 13 percent more than their plainer colleagues.
At Radiance Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we want you to look good, feel good and enjoy success. All this can be easier with a smile makeover, whether it’s simply a case of whitening dingy teeth or undertaking more transformational services like dental implants, veneers or laser gum contouring. If you’re ready for Dr. Taylor to revolutionize your smile, contact us today.
