Why Practicing Good Dental Hygiene Now Can Really Pay Off in the Long Run

Have you ever had to take a photo at a special event and felt embarrassed by your smile or the state of your teeth? It can be tough in today’s world if you don’t feel confident about the way your teeth look, especially with the rises of selfies and documenting fun events on social media. If you feel bad about your smile, you’re sure to hate all those pictures, and your self confidence can really suffer. Luckily, cosmetic dentistry is in full swing and you can fix your smile, no matter what’s wrong with it! However, you also want to be sure that you’re following steps to keep your smile looking great, even after a cosmetic dentist procedure. Things like brushing and flossing regularly, seeing your dentist twice a year, and paying attention to things that are bad for your teeth are important to keep in mind daily.
Well What’s To Worry About Anyway?
Over 95% of adults said that a good looking smile made a person more attractive to those of the opposite sex. And almost all adults say that a healthy and attractive smile is an important thing to have socially, according to a survey done by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Almost 75% of adults think that not having a good smile could hurt their chances at advancing in their career and over half the adult population of the US over the age of 50 says that a smile is the one physical aspect of a person that stays the most attractive as we get older.
Despite all that, people wait around three years on average between dental appointment and almost three quarters of Americans have some kind of periodontal disease. Almost 80% of people have a cavity by the time they’re 17 and over 30% of people say they’re concerned at how their teeth look. Almost 20% try and hide their teeth in pictures. Moreover, at least one in five Americans have one (or more!) cavities that are untreated.
What Can a Cosmetic Dentist Help Me With?
Cosmetic dentists can help fix the outward appearance of your teeth. For many of us, we first experienced cosmetic dentistry as preteens, when we went to visit the orthodontist for braces, which straightened and realigned our teeth for a more even smile. Another common procedure that people visit cosmetic dentists for is to bleach or whiten their teeth, which can be stained by coffee, wine, and other habits we have. Teeth get stained or discolored over time, even if we take good care of our teeth, and sometimes just need a little extra something to get them back to their pearly white status! In fact, in the last five years, visits to have one’s teeth whitened have gone up by 300%! Cosmetic dentists can also help fix any chips, replace missing teeth, and reshape and contour misshapen teeth.
It’s certainly a popular industry — Americans spend an average of $1.5 billion every year on products or visits to a cosmetic dentist that can make their teeth whiter and make their smile perfect. They spend an average of $5,000-$6,000 per procedure! According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the most common types of patients tend to be women, and those who are between 41 and 60 years old.
What Steps Should I Be Taking To Make My Smile Healthier?
Go see your dentist every six months! You’ll get an in depth flossing, brushing, and fluoride wash. They’ll also do dental X-rays to make sure everything looks good — this can be important especially if you’re around the age where your wisdom teeth are coming in. Brush and floss at least twice a day — preferably after every meal — and use mouthwash as needed to get a really good cleaning.
You shouldn’t feel like you have to hide your smile. There are plenty of ways to improve your smile and have healthy teeth — take advantage of those opportunities and show off your beautiful teeth! Dental insurance can often help cover some of the more basic costs.