As odd as it may sound, the simple act of smiling has a host of mental and physical benefits. Even if you’re feeling blue, faking a smile will reduce your stress and trigger actual feelings of happiness. Being confident in your smile is just as important as the act itself and even minor dental imperfections can negatively affect more than just your mouth. Luckily for you, porcelain veneers and other cosmetic procedures offer a natural-looking way to polish your smile and brighten your day.
The Benefits of Smiling
Even if you’re not actually happy, smiling can trick your brain into lifting your mood and energy levels. Meditation experts recommend holding a smile for only 30 to 60 seconds to turn a bad day around.
The act of smiling can lower your heart rate and reduce stress. Those aren’t the only physical benefits: frequent smiling has been linked to lower blood pressure and even a stronger immune system. Scientists from the University of North Carolina and the University of Colorado suggest that it even prolongs your life.
Ways to Improve Your Smile
Having a beautiful smile is an easy way to ensure your frequent smiling. If you’re unsatisfied with your smile, don’t worry! There are a variety of cosmetic dental procedures that can help you achieve your dream smile.
Stained Teeth
Teeth whitening is the most popular way to brighten your smile and get rid of any stains you’ve accumulated. Your cosmetic dentist offers both one-hour whitening appointments in their office or a take-home kit if you desire a more flexible treatment pace.
Cavities
If you’re dealing with cavities, you don’t want to have to worry about how your smile will look afterwards. Tooth-colored fillings (known as composite fillings) offer a discreet way to deal with your cavities, opposed to traditional metal fillings. Another option is dental crowns, which are used for large cavities. Crowns look very natural and, in some cases, can even enhance your tooth’s appearance.
Missing Teeth
A dental bridge is a fixed artificial tooth attached to adjacent natural teeth to seamlessly blend into your smile. In the case of multiple missing teeth, a row of artificial teeth can be attached to dental implants. While bridges can be made from gold or silver, a porcelain bridge will look the most natural.
How to Achieve Dramatic Results
Porcelain veneers can address a variety of cosmetic issues, including stained, chipped, cracked and crooked teeth. These wafer-thin shells are able to change the color, shape, size and length of your teeth to create the perfect smile. Attached to the front of your teeth with a special cement, porcelain veneers are trimmed and colored to blend in with your natural smile.
While porcelain veneers are an irreversible procedure, they offer a permanent way to transform your smile. The applications are more stain-resistant than other cosmetic procedures and provide faster results than traditional orthodontics. Reach out to your dentist today to enjoy all of the benefits of an easy smile.
About the Author
At LuxSmile Family Dentistry, Dr. Tammy Ton is dedicated to helping patients of all ages feel comfortable in the dental chair. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Texas in Arlington and regularly attends continuing education courses. Dr. Ton is a member of the Dallas County Dental Society and the Texas Dental Association. If you have further questions about cosmetic procedures, she can be reached through her website or at 972-698-5988.