The Importance of Smile in a First Impression Situation

The one thing that is salient amongst those with imperfect teeth is a looming feeling of insecurity. In fact, many people have openly admitted that the condition of their teeth has negatively impacted their professional and personal lives. Conversely, those with straight, perfect teeth are looked upon as being smarter, more successful and, from a romantic standpoint, date-worthy. Of course, one may argue that success is the byproduct of hard work and that finding love shouldn\’t hinge on physical appearance, but the way others perceive us can have more to do with how we look than who we are as individuals.

Is this superficial? Yes, but it is an undeniable reality. That said, a beautiful smile doesn\’t have to be all about improved aesthetics, and it shouldn\’t be the only measure of success; studies have shown that perfect teeth can have a marked improvement on one’s self-esteem as well. Whatever the reason is behind wanting to improve your teeth, you can be assured that modern dentistry can help you achieve the smile of your dreams, which, in turn, may help you find success in many other areas of your life.

THE IMPORTANCE OF A SMILE IN A FIRST IMPRESSION SITUATION

If you have read this far into the article, you’re probably wondering whether a dental makeover is right for you, and if you are, you’re probably equally interested in knowing more about the treatment options currently available. Throughout the remainder of this article, we will discuss some of the more sought-after dental procedures today, some of which include dental crowns and veneers. Also, we will discuss the role that your teeth play when it comes to making a good first impression.

Whether you have naturally perfect teeth or perfect teeth that came by way of a talented dentist, it will be far easier to make a good first impression. According to a study conducted by Kelton, an insight and strategy consultancy, most people, particularly in America, rank teeth the highest when it came to what they notice or can recall after an initial encounter with someone. The study also concluded that roughly two-thirds of Americans admit to being more likely to recall “attractive” features versus those that they found “unattractive.”

TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR CROOKED TEETH

The first step in choosing a corrective treatment for your teeth would be to consult with a licensed dentist; depending on the condition of your teeth, he/she may refer you to an orthodontist, a practitioner who specializes in tooth movement and guiding facial changes.

 

That said, if the crux of your dental problem has more to do with discoloration, missing teeth, or chipped/cracked teeth, most cosmetic dentists are capable of remediating such dental problems. One dental restoration option that is gaining a lot of attention lately is dental veneers. What are they, exactly? Well, they are thin, custom-made shells that are made from tooth-colored material and designed to cover the front surface of your teeth, improving their appearance.

HAVE YOU CONSIDERED PROFESSION TOOTH WHITENING?

It’s important to note that dental veneers may be cost-prohibitive for some individuals. If this is the case for you, tooth whitening is another great option for achieving a great smile, provided your teeth are otherwise healthy. This relatively simple process involves the use of one of two bleaches, hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These unique bleaches work by breaking up the stains on the surface of your teeth, which, in turn, makes the discoloration less pronounce.

Of course, there are teeth whitening kits that can be purchased for home use, but there is something to be said for having your teeth professionally whitened. What are the pros of having a dental practitioner whiten your teeth for you? Well, the difference is two-fold; in-office whitening systems often contain a higher concentration of the active ingredients needed to whiten your teeth faster, typically 15% to 43% of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide whereas home kits only contain 3% to 20%. Also, a dental practitioner may use heat/lights to intensify the whitening process, providing not only faster but also better results.

CAN CLEAR ALIGNERS IMPROVE CROOKED TEETH?

Similar to wire braces, clear aligners are a great way to improve crooked teeth, but there is a caveat. They can only be prescribed by dentists and orthodontists. Additionally, they may not always be ideal. Clear aligners like Invisalign, for example, can be used to correct overbites as well as gapped or crowded teeth, but they are not a viable solution for correcting exceptionally crooked teeth, crossbites, or malocclusions. In these instances, metal braces are a much better alternative. The same holds true for cracked or chipped teeth; in these cases, dental crowns would be more suitable. Nonetheless, you should speak with your dental practitioner who can outline a course of treatment that will be most effective based on the condition of your teeth.

DOES A GREAT SMILE EQUAL A BETTER LIFE?

If you’re still on the fence about improving the appearance of your teeth, here are some sobering statistics that will hopefully encourage you to consider the dental makeover you’ve been putting off. According to an article found on keltonglobal.com, more than 38 percent of Americans believed that those with crooked teeth lead dull, uninteresting lives.

In addition, the study took a look at the role that teeth played when it came to making a good first impression, especially amongst those looking to date. Of those surveyed, 57% admitted to preferring someone with an “attractive” smile. In fact, many participants admitted that they preferred perfect teeth over clear, blemish-free skin.

Again, this article is in no way an attempt to sway you in one direction or the other; it is, moreover, an attempt to showcase the mindset of certain individuals and the manner in which they assess the intelligence, character, and the desirability of others. With that said, if your goal is to conform to society\’s standards of perfection, improve your self-esteem, or improve the functionality of your teeth, you’re encouraged to do your due diligence and find a quality cosmetic dentist/orthodontist to help you achieve the smile of your dreams.

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