Most of us know that having an attractive smile makes us feel better about sharing that smile with others instead of hiding it behind a cupped hand. But the benefits of a nice smile go far beyond simply being more willing to share it with others. In fact, many studies conducted over the past several years have shown that having a nice smile improves our quality of life in ways that we may never have imagined, including:
- Higher self-esteem – Research shows that people who have nice smiles feel better about themselves overall, and are generally more self-assured about their place in the world.
- Higher self-confidence – People with attractive smiles have demonstrated more self-confidence than people who are dentally challenged, often feeling more assertive in their dealings with other people. In particular, people who are missing teeth appear to be much less confident in their day-to-day lives, often feeling more inhibited than those with a full set of teeth.
- Less stress – Another somewhat surprising result of studies conducted over the past several years is that people who have either a full set of natural teeth, or a combination of natural teeth and dental implants, generally experience less stress in their lives than people who are missing teeth and/or wear either full or partial dentures.
- More favorably viewed by other people – Research has also shown that people with unattractive smiles – including missing teeth, crooked or damaged teeth, or severely stained teeth – are not viewed as favorably by other people as those with attractive smiles. In fact, some studies suggest that job applicants are much more likely to be hired if they have nice smiles. And people with more attractive smiles were seen by other people as more successful and wealthier than those with unattractive smiles.
If you want to improve the quality of your life, consider taking steps to improve the quality of your smile. Modern dental technology makes it possible for virtually anyone to enjoy better oral health and a more beautiful smile. No matter what procedure you may need to get it done – from teeth whitening to crowns to dental bonding or porcelain veneers – your dentist can give you the attractive smile that can make you feel better about yourself and improve how other people see you. For more information about how to improve the appearance of your smile, contact your dentist today. More self-esteem, self-confidence, and reduced stress may be just a smile away!
