How a New Smile Can Transform Your Life This Year

If one of your New Year’s resolutions this year was to take better care of yourself than this is the perfect time to consider giving yourself the gift of a healthier, more beautiful smile through orthodontic care. When you feel better about your smile, you not only change how you feel yourself but also the world around you.

Here are some ways a new smile can transform your life this year:

You will feel happier

When you smile, your brain releases tiny molecules called neuropeptides. These molecules actually help you deal with stress and manage all your emotions including happiness, sadness, fear and anger, so no wonder you feel better about life when you smile. When you smile, dopamine, endorphins and serotonin all flood your body, lowering your blood pressure and your heart rate and allowing you to relax. Did you know that endorphins can also help with pain? Try to smile the next time you experience some minor pain and see how much better you feel.

You will feel more confident

It is truly amazing how powerful a smile really is. When you smile, you give off a more confident air that everyone around you can feel. You will no longer want to hide away in the shadows. With your new, beautiful smeile, you will find yourself going after that new job or a date with the new guy in accounting. You will no longer be afraid of taking risks.

You will be healthier

A new smile isn’t all about aesthetics though. A straighter, more beautiful smile also means a healthier you. When you have crooked or misaligned teeth, it is so much easier for food to get stuck between your teeth and gums which can lead to tooth decay, gingivitis and even gum disease. And gum disease has been linked to diseases like heart disease and diabetes. Luckily with proper orthodontic care, you will have a straighter smile that is easier to clean and less prone to infections. Your whole body will thank you for it.

You will make others happier and healthier

An added bonus to your new smile is that it can also help others feel happier and healthier. Did you ever smile at someone who was having a bad day and they then immediately perked up? When you make eye contact and smile at someone you are showing that they matter which gives them a boost of happiness. The best part about it though is that they will then go on and smile at other people spreading the love throughout the day. Many studies have proven that when we look at a smiling face, our brains release endorphins, which makes us feel happier and calmer.

If that wasn’t sweet enough, by making people smile more you are also helping them to lead healthier lives. Inflammation on the cellular level caused by stress has been a known risk factor for cell mutation and diseases like cancer. Think about how you are helping your friends and family live longer, healthier lives by basking in the warmth of your smile. Next time you are in a bad mood, instead of letting everyone around you feel all the negative vibes, intentionally transform your mood by smiling and focusing on the positive. Not only will you feel better but so will all those around you.

People will perceive you differently

By flashing your beautiful straight teeth, you are also influencing how other people perceive you. Plenty of studies have shown that when you smile, you appear more attractive and confident to other people because the physical act of smiling affects the part of the brain that regulates your emotions. So if you are worried about the impression you will make on a job recruiter or a blind date, then make sure to smile a lot. You will be sure to turn heads in a positive way.

Studies have also shown that people consider you more trustworthy when you make eye contact with them and smile. Others will naturally respond to your smile. Not only will you lift their spirits you will make them want to smile too, setting off a positive chain reaction. Think about how much easier it will be to connect with important people in your life and wow the bosses at work with a beautiful smile.

Don’t Wait Any Longer

Advanced technology in the field of orthodontics means that you have more options than you did in years past to get a new smile. Besides traditional metal braces, you can now choose Invisalign braces which are basically clear plastic aligners that are more comfortable to wear and don’t throw so much of a inconvenience into your life like metal braces do. This is because the aligners are barely noticeable when you smile and you can remove them when you eat or brush and floss your teeth. As long as you wear them for at least 22 hours, the treatment will be effective.

There are other orthodontic options as well like ceramic braces or clear braces and the ability to wear the braces adhered to the front of your teeth or the back. Whatever your preferences, there are a lot more options and flexibility than there used to be in orthodontic care. Today’s orthodontic procedures are less painful and often take less time too. Did you know that Invisalign treatment for adults can be completed in just 6-18months?

Don’t let your age keep you from improving your smile either. It is important to keep in mind that teeth can move at any age, whether from injury, an illness or just natural growth. It is not like there is just a small window of opportunity when you are a tween or a teen to do something about your crooked teeth. Even if you had braces when you were young, you may need them again. You are never too old for braces or Invisalign. You may also be required to wear a retainer after the braces are removed to maintain the new positioning. A positive about getting braces as an adult is that we are usually better able to take proper care of them and follow instructions as adults than as teens.

For more information about orthodontic care can give you a new smile and transform your life this year, contact Lee Orthodontics today.

Author

David Lee Board Certified Orthodontist in Concord CA Metal Braces, Clear Braces, Self-ligating braces, Invisalign, Clear Aligners Serving San Francisco and East Bay area including Concord, Pleasant Hill, Bay Point, Clayton, Martinez, Walnut Creek, Pittsburg, Lafayette, Alamo, Benicia, Orinda, Moraga, Danville, San Ramon, Hercules, Berkeley, and Oakland.