How Cosmetic Dentistry Can Positively Impact Your Life

People sometimes underrate just how much a smile is worth. And that’s not just in a monetary sense, though that will be touched upon in a bit. But, the real emotional worth of a smile can hardly be measured.

Now, it’s true many people don’t exactly love going to the dentist. This is certainly understandable. But your dentist can help you live your best life thanks to a healthy mouth and attractive smile. So, you should be coming in for those regular visits. However, your dentist can do so much more for you than give your mouth a good, clean feeling. If you live in Bergen County, you know how important it is to look your best. There are few places in the United States with so many successful residents in close proximity to one another. When you’re surrounded by accomplished professionals, you’ll look for any way to set yourself apart and stand out.

What does that have to do with your teeth? Read on. You’ll be looking for a cosmetic dentist in Bergen County in no time.

What’s in a smile?

Before we talk about how the condition of your teeth can affect your career or romantic prospects, it’s important to highlight the biggest reason why you might be interested in cosmetic dentistry: improving your self-confidence. Do you find yourself hiding your smile, especially in pictures? It’s not a great feeling. Science says you’d actually feel physically better if you smiled more. The act of smiling triggers the chemicals in your brain that signal happiness. This lowers stress, which is beneficial to our health. If you’re feeling self-conscious about smiling, you could be depriving yourself of this useful (and free!) way to lower stress.

Experiencing lowered self-esteem can be damaging both physically and emotionally. If it’s because of your appearance, you have options. You don’t have to live with an incomplete, discolored, or crooked smile. Cosmetic dentistry can get you back to a place where you’re more than happy to share a friendly smile, and often.

Perception and confidence

 There is more to your smile than just your own confidence, however. The perception of others plays a big part in deciding to undergo cosmetic procedures. Studies have been done showing that people often make quick, first impression judgments just based on our teeth. You may even do it yourself subconsciously. This is the part where we address how your teeth could be affecting your professional development or love life.

It turns out a sizable part of the population thinks having straight teeth means you’re more successful, intelligent, and a better catch. Two out of five Americans sampled said they would not go on a second date with someone they observed had crooked teeth. Additionally, more half of respondents said if a job opening came down to two candidates with identical qualifications, the person with the straighter teeth would get the job. Hard numbers to back up the reality of this are hard to come by as you can imagine. But if the perception is there, often the reality follows.

It’s not just Americans, either. In Britain, having whiter teeth is seen to be a sign of youth, attractiveness, and earning a high income. If you’ve never thought about just how important your smile is, now you know how our tendencies to go off first impressions work.

What procedures might you opt for?

There are a wide variety of cosmetic dental procedures available to address the most common dental issues of missing teeth, crooked teeth, and discolored teeth. If you’re missing a tooth or a couple teeth, dental implants are probably the best solution available. They look just like your natural teeth and are securely implanted into your jawbone with titanium roots. They feel like any other regular tooth. One reason you may not be a good candidate for dental implants, however, is if your jawbone has been degraded due to disease or a degenerative condition. Luckily, dentists can often work around this by doing a bone graft first, so few people are actually limited from having dental implants.

Invisalign is a popular treatment option if you’re looking to straighten your teeth. These clear aligners do the work of braces without the metal wires that make you feel self-conscious. You can have a straighter smile in a matter of months.

And, of course, there are teeth whitening services. While it’s true you can buy whitening kits at the local drugstore, nothing compares to having it professionally done. The materials used are not only more powerful, but they are safer because of their professional application.

Conclusion

Choosing to undergo cosmetic dentistry procedures can seem stressful. But, if you’re looking for a cosmetic dentist in Bergen County, the team at Bogota Dental Center is here to provide you with the professional care you need while making sure you receive it in a comfortable environment. Contact us today to schedule an appointment. We’ll work with you to determine the best treatment course to help you get the smile you’ve always wanted.