Cosmetic Dentistry: Not Just For Those on the Big Screen

Most people know that the smiles of models, tv personalities, actors, and the most famous musicians are not typically natural. For them, it makes sense to pursue cosmetic treatments since they’re often seen in the public eye or relying on their appearance for their career. However, cosmetic dentistry isn’t seeing huge gains in popularity because of these people alone.

In fact, according to a survey conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, most cosmetic procedures have seen a growth of over 200 percent, including tooth-colored restorations, teeth whitening, and porcelain veneers.

With this data in mind, what do average working people have to gain from making dramatic improvements in their smile? According to cosmetic dentist Dr. Raj and the team at Center One Dental, it can improve your mental health, your relationships with others, and even your success in the professional world!

Mental Health and Cosmetic Dentistry

The better your oral health, the better your quality of life is overall. You spend less time worrying about dental disease and pain associated with poor oral health, but did you know that your appearance could improve your quality of life as well?

Based on a study coming from the National Institutes of Health, an enhanced smile can do wonders for your self-esteem. With a higher self-esteem, you’re more likely to perceive yourself in a positive light, thus improving your mental health and general attitude of the world around you.

For a survey and comparative analysis on aesthetic dental treatments and their effects on mental health, researchers spoke with two groups of individuals. One group, consisting of 17 people, were unhappy with their smile and pursuing porcelain veneers to improve their appearance. The other group, consisting of 27 people, were happy with their smile. After psychologically assessing both groups, they found that after receiving veneers, the first group experienced a positive effect in their self-esteem, including after a 6-month review period. Meanwhile, the control group showed no significant psychological changes.

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How Cosmetic Dental Treatments Can Enhance Your Personal Relationships

If you’re currently in the dating world or trying to find someone to spend the rest of your life with, you understand the pitfalls of living in a society that results to snap judgements when choosing a partner. However, many of those judgements are influenced by your smile alone. Consider these findings from a perception survey conducted by Kelton Global. In it, 1,047 nationally representative Americans gave their opinions on people with straight teeth vs. crooked teeth:

Nearly one third (29 percent) said the first aspect they notice about someone’s face is his or her teeth.
Those with straight teeth are 57 percent more likely to get a date from an online dating site based on a picture alone.
Nearly two in five (40 percent) would consider not going on a second date with someone who has misaligned teeth.

Professional Success, A Better Smile, and You

Lastly, a better smile has huge implications in the professional world, even if you don’t rely heavily on your appearance for income.

For example, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry’s (AACD) national survey found that 74 percent of Americans believe an unattractive smile can hurt a person’s chances for career success. In contrast, Kelton Global’s study notes that:

Americans attach positive attributes to those with straight smiles, including happiness (21 percent more likely) and intelligence (38 percent more likely.)
Three out of four Americans (73 percent) stated they would find an individual more trustworthy if they had an attractive smile, even more so than those with a nice car, outfit, or job.

If you’re trying to stand out from other potential employees at a new company, research conducted by Kelton Global on behalf of the AACD shows smiling is a great way to do it. Considering how many people take a smile into account during first impressions, it’s also worth noting that having stained or crooked teeth is unattractive to 37 percent of those surveyed. Another 25 percent of participants indicated people with crooked teeth were viewed as less confident than people with otherwise perfect teeth.

When considering ways to boost your overall quality of life, enhancing your smile is one of many great places to start. If you’re curious about ways Dr. Raj and the team at Center One Dental can give your smile a makeover, ask him any time during your next scheduled appointment!

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