Deciding on whether to invest in orthodontic treatments is a common dilemma many patients face. You have to balance the cost and time invested in the treatment plan against the benefits and outcomes of straightening teeth.
Mention teeth straightening and immediately the smile comes to mind. Is obtaining a straighter smile really worth the cost of seeking orthodontic help? Findings from The Australian Camera-Ready Smile survey may just provide an answer. More than 50 per cent – 57 per cent – of those surveyed rated the smile as the most attractive feature when looking at someone else’s selfie. Here’s the interesting thing: despite such a high importance given to smiles. 58 per cent of respondents admitted to being reticent to flash their teeth when they smile.
Crooked teeth, stained or discoloured teeth, swollen gums, gaps in teeth are all detractors from a pleasing smile. Modern orthodontic solutions such as clear braces Sydney CBD have opened up orthodontics to make it an attractive option for adults. But here’s why developments in the orthodontics industry play to the advantage of patients. Orthodontic treatment plans benefit numerous areas of a patient’s life. So important is the relationship between the confidence in showing off an engaging smile and the person’s self-confidence that the Australian Dental Health Foundation has introduced initiatives like the Rebuilding Smiles program to change lives.
The advantages to straightening smiles
A new aligned smile makes you more ready to engage in face-to-face interactions in professional and social contexts. The life-changing effects of an attractive smile are many and ripple out to affect all aspects of a person’s day-to-day activities. There are many benefits that are not obvious at first glance.
Creates a more youthful appearance
If you’ve not considered before how a dazzling smile can make you look younger, here’s how science works. The act of smiling facilitates the movement of facial muscles upwards. The upward movement of these muscles encourages the lifting of sagging facial areas, providing an instant transformation in facial appearance: more youthful and energetic.
Projects friendliness
The fastest way to come across as warm and friendly without uttering a single word is to show off an infectious smile. People who smile confidently and readily are generally deemed more approachable. Smiling people are more likely to win friendships and enjoy satisfactory relationships.
Create a more positive mood
Studies have shown that when you smile, your brain is tricked into increasing the production of feel-good chemicals like serotonin and endorphins that are responsible for you feeling happy and relaxed. The health benefits related to this are lower blood pressure, lower stress levels and a stronger immune system.
Improved dental health
Chances are that once you straighten your smile, you will be conscientious in protecting its newly-acquired look. What this translates into is a more determined effort to maintain oral hygiene. From dental caries to drifting teeth to gum disease, poor oral health is the greatest enemy to orthodontic treatment and can quickly negate the hard-won effects of an orthodontic treatment plan.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.