Can a cosmetic dentist increase your self-confidence?

It might be what's on the inside that counts but looking good will help you feel great - and that's undeniable.  A big part of looking your best is having a bright smile that you'll love to show off and that will make people smile too.

Enter the specialization of cosmetic dentistry, which focuses on the appearance of your smile instead of your oral health.  While it's not vital to your oral and physical health, cosmetic dentistry can play a major role in your level of confidence and your daily emotional well-being.  This makes it important and something that shouldn't be discounted.  Here's why.

You're likely to have a better social life

We are meant to be social creatures and regularly interact with other people.  Studies have shown that isolation often leads to depression, anxiety, and a whole host of mental or physical issues).  
You might think it's small potatoes, but an unattractive smile can cause people to stop interacting and socializing, even with their friends or family because they feel ashamed or ugly.  This is one area where cosmetic dentistry can help immediately, by restoring the beauty of their smile and with it the willingness to engage and be outgoing.  Fifty precent of things in life are a mental game meaning a nicer smile brings extra confidence, which leads to more socializing and fun, and that in turn makes for better overall health - the effects can really be that simple.

Inward and outward appearance

We're always the toughest and most critical on ourselves but that doesn't mean people don't judge us a for our appearance - at least a little bit.  Especially in modern society where being appearance conscious is and has been becoming the norm.  Think about the all the online profiles, online dating, video chats and more that are very much rooted in our appearance and first impressions.  You think it's an online thing, but we're all becoming accustomed to quick decisions when it comes to someone's face.  

Again, the benefits of cosmetic dentistry can have a big impact on first impressions by taking years off your look and bringing out your radiant, fun and healthy side.  It works doubly well once you realize that you look great, and your confidence increases.

Appearance matters for your career too

A nice smile is a disarming thing that can really help you engage and build rapport with the people around you.  This stuff is extremely important for your career, especially if you're looking for a promotion, applying for a new job or meeting a client.  A bright, good-looking smile can help you be perceived as trustworthy, friendly and motivated, while being tight lipped (hiding your teeth) could have the opposite effect.  A beautiful smile is always infectious and the positive mood you exude can make a big difference in the workplace.

Helping to overcome trauma

Whether from birth or an accident, any sort of lasting defect to your smile can put a big dent in your enjoyment of life.  That's where cosmetic dentistry can help and get your smile back to new and your self confidence on the mend.  This helps you move past the trauma and into a better future with a great smile.

Just look at Hollywood

Pretty much any movie you watch, magazine you read, and social media you browse - the people you see will have near perfect teeth and beautiful smiles.  Were they born lucky?  Maybe...  but it's more likely they have a diligent cosmetic dentist on their team, who has tweaked their natural look into what you see smiling at you from the cover of GQ or Vogue magazine.  Feeling left out? Then find a cosmetic dentist nearby and make an appointment today.  There's lots that can be done to enhance a smile, most of it very non-invasive (phew), even if the procedures are often expensive.

What treatments does cosmetic dentistry include?

Most dental appointments for cosmetic dentistry begin with a consult and analysis of your existing smile.  Your dentist will need to understand what you want to achieve, your timeframe and available budget.  Knowing about any underlying health issues, oral or otherwise, is also important before beginning a smile makeover.  Depending on the procedure(s) required, there may also be required healing time in between appointments and stages.

Common cosmetic dental treatments include veneers, crowns, bonding, dental implants, teeth whitening and orthodontics.  What you and your dentist choose will come down to difference between the smile you want to achieve and the one you currently have.  

There are a lot of reasons that you might want to upgrade your smile and speaking to your dentist is the best way to start making that happen.