Every year, Americans spend $106 billion on dental care. While the majority of dentistry services are offered to simply keep our teeth healthy for the sake of day to day necessities, namely eating, cosmetic dentists aim to keep our teeth vibrant and attractive, as well as functional. To gain whiter, more attractive smiles, Americans spend more than $2.75 billion a year on cosmetic dentistry.
The Importance of the Human Smile
To most, protecting our smiles is little more than an exercise in personal vanity. However, the science of smiles shows that engaging in cosmetic dentistry to protect our pearly whites is so much more than an attempt to keep our egos intact.
An Unhealthy Looking Smile Can Lead to Depressions
Many people report feelings of depression when they find that their teeth are yellowed, decayed, or otherwise unattractive. As these conditions often lead to chronic bad breath and low self-confidence, they cause people to stay away from others, a key symptom of depressive disorders. On the other hand, people with healthy smiles, people who are more likely to smile, are proven to be happier individuals.
People Who Smile Are More Attractive
For better or worse, your smile not only has an impact on how you feel, it also affects how others feel about you. In fact, a vibrant, attractive smile may be the key to attracting a mate. In a recent study, participants were asked to identify the first thing they notice when meeting someone new. Unexpectedly, 94% of men and women say a beautiful smile is the very first thing to catch their eyes.
How Can Cosmetic Dentistry Help?
Even if you have what you consider to be an unattractive smile, that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with it. Cosmetic dentistry is so successful in the United States because it can help people turn their lives around in a number of ways.
Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is unarguably the most popular form of cosmetic dentistry in the country. Using a peroxide-based whitening solutions, reputable cosmetic dentists can transform your timeworn and coffee-stained smile into the vibrant work of art you’ve been dreaming of. Subsequently, Americans spend upwards of $1.4 billion to have their chompers revivified every year.
Mini Dental Implants
Dental implants make for a great alternative to dentures, whether your natural teeth have submitted to the rigors of time or you’ve been in an accident that cost you your teeth. By drilling small titanium screws into your jaw, life-like implants can be permanently affixed into your mouth. At approximately $5,000 to $6,000 per jaw, implants can seem like an expensive option to many, but you should consider one thing: mini-dental implants, if treated properly, last a lifetime.
If you’re tired of living your life feeling like you can’t smile, it’s time to do something about it. With the helping hand of America’s best cosmetic dentists, you can rid yourself of the stained, decayed smile that’s been plaguing you for years and start moving forward with a happier, healthier life.