Your smile is as unique as you are, and it’s a signature part of your appearance and presentation. We all want a smile that looks the best it can, but working towards that goal can be frustrating sometimes. How can my smile look its best? What can I do to make it shine? Well, it’s Dental Smiles Month, and we’re here to answer those questions!
The good news is that we know that contemporary dentistry has some wonderful options for helping your smile look and feel as good as it possibly can. Let’s take a look for some of the options you have for improving your smile, and how we can help you do it!
What Makes a Great Smile?
Perhaps surprisingly, a great deal of research has gone into showing what makes a smile attractive, great, or just pleasing to look at. While individual results vary and some unique features or idiosyncrasies can add to your smile’s charm, there are three components:
- Symmetry is a key component of a great smile. By symmetry in this case we mean that your teeth and gums on both sides of the mouth look broadly similar. If one side has perfect teeth and the other has crowded/misshapen teeth or recessed gums, it can take away from your smile’s attractiveness.
- Color is one of the first things people notice, and it’s vital to your smile’s appearance. The color of your teeth is the most important thing: yellowed or stained teeth take away from your smile’s appeal. However, healthy pink gums do matter, and swollen or inflamed gums can detract from your smile, too.
- Teeth position is just as important as the first two. If your teeth are misaligned, it can draw attention away from your smile’s overall appearance. Overbites, underbites, and buck teeth are all issues with teeth position that can detract from your smile’s appeal.
So now that we’ve identified what makes a great smile, are there any ways of dealing with those issues? In many cases, the answer is yes!
Improving Your Smile
The good news is that in many cases we can improve your smile! There are a variety of options available, but they all start with a foundation of good dental health: effective brushing, flossing, and a good diet. With those in place, we can consider some other options. Regular teeth cleaning is a must for a good smile. While most folks need their teeth cleaned twice a year, your dentist may recommend a more frequent schedule if you have some specific issues that need to be addressed.
Teeth whitening is a popular, easy cosmetic dental procedure that can correct many issues with stained or discolored teeth. In-office whitening is far more effective than at-home kits, and generally doesn’t take long. For more acute needs, there are a variety of dental prosthetic options including inlays, onlays, dental caps, and dental veneers. Each is designed to treat a specific set of issues, so discussing your options with your dentist will help you decide which is right for you.
Your smile is your own, and it tells the world so much about you. Wanting the best possible smile isn’t just about appearance or vanity: it’s about personality, self-confidence, and connection. We’re celebrating Dental Smiles Month throughout June, and you can contact us and we’ll help you in making your smile the best it can be!