At some point in your life, you’ve been in a situation where you were talking to someone and you notice their eye contact shift from your eyes to your teeth. This could only mean one of two things, you either had something stuck in your teeth or your teeth are a bit distracting, whether they’re crooked or yellow, regardless, there was something going on in your mouth area that took their focus away from the conversation. That can not only be embarrassing but it can also be very damaging to your self-confidence.
If you think about it, your smile is one of the first things people notice about you. It’s the thing that makes companies remember you at job interviews and it’s the very thing that helps you make a great first impression on a first date… having a great smile is kind of like a superpower; it just makes the world a better place. Psychology Today even states that smiling is a superpower. Based on research, it states that smiling can make you look younger, thinner, and can even lengthen your life span!
But if you don’t like what you see in the mirror when you smile, it’s time to for you to take your dental health seriously and stop depriving the world of your smile. Take a look at the different ways you can improve your smile.
Braces
Braces are a great way to not only straighten your teeth but they’re also a great way to correct imperfections with your bite. Orthodontists in Houston have several locations and offer the traditional braces, Invisalign braces, and fast braces (braces that can correct teeth in as little as six months). The biggest problems that braces fix include:
- Crowding
- Underbites
- Overbites
- Spacing
- Cross-bites
The thing with braces is that it’s not a one-and-done type of procedure. Typically, you’ll visit your orthodontist once a month to get your braces adjusted and be one step closer to having that gorgeous smile you’ve always wanted.
Teeth Whitening
Whether it’s from the foods we eat or the liquids we drink, our teeth won’t be able to escape the cycle of yellowing as we get older. If you feel that the color of your teeth is the reason why you don’t smile as often as you would like to, then you need to talk to your dentist about some teeth whitening options. They may want you to come in for treatment or they might just recommend an over-the-counter treatment instead, depending on the severity of your teeth yellowing.
*Word of caution, stay away from those home remedy concoctions that you see on websites like Pinterest, especially the ones that tell you to rub lemons or charcoal on your teeth. If you want your teeth whitened, leave it to the professionals who have had years of dental training and are qualified. Doing so could seriously damage your teeth.*
Veneers
Veneers are the procedures that give you that “Hollywood smile” everyone wants. Veneers practically eliminate any imperfections found with your teeth. The great thing with veneers is that they’re custom made to fit the way your teeth look. That means you won’t have a mouth full of Chiclets (square teeth). Everybody’s teeth aren’t square… some people’s teeth are rounded, and because everyone’s tooth shape is different, veneers are the perfect option to give your teeth a natural “perfectly imperfect” look.
Now, if you opt for veneers, you’ll have two different options to choose from: porcelain and composite.
- Porcelain Veneers: These are the most common type of veneers. When a patient gets porcelain veneers, it usually takes two office visits. Porcelain veneers are the most popular choice among patients because it’s made of a stronger material and can handle wear and stains much longer.
- Composite Veneers: These type of veneers are done in one visit, which is why it’s dubbed the nickname of “chairside veneers.” This is still a great option for your teeth but it’s not as long-lasting as porcelain veneers… on the other hand, it will give you the same look as porcelain veneers and it’s cheaper than porcelain veneers too. It really all depends on your budget.
The Takeaway
These are all procedures that improve your smile and your overall appearance, especially when paired with healthy living habits. That just goes to show you that you have complete and total control over how beautiful your smile can be. Regular dental checkups are key to having great dental health.
