While it may be true that cosmetic dentistry is about achieving a beautiful smile while making your teeth and mouth healthier and stronger, it’s actually about so much more than that. Opting to improve your oral health and enhance your smile with cosmetic dentistry can help you gain self-esteem and confidence as well. Not only that, but cosmetic surgery even has social benefits. Think about it — when you feel better about your appearance, it’ll help you spread cheer and positivity to others, too.
At Bloom Dental of Arlington, we see the incredible and sometimes even life-changing effects of cosmetic dentistry firsthand, every single day. In fact, it’s why we’re so committed to offering our clients an improved quality of health and life through our expert dental services.
Let’s take a brief look at the history of cosmetic dentistry and examine the wide range of benefits it has to offer.
A History of Dental Enhancement
Although it may seem like a relatively newer concept, the notion of cosmetic dentistry actually has “roots” in the Etruscan Age, dating back to 700 B.C. in what is now Tuscany, Italy. Ancient people there attempted to replace their teeth in a number of inventive ways, including making dentures with materials such as ivory, bone, or even animal teeth.
This tradition of beautifying one’s mouth was also present in Ancient Egypt, where they used gold to make dental crowns and bridges, occasionally hammering seashells into their mouths in place of teeth. For whitening and stain removal, they combined vinegar and pumice stone to make a primitive version of toothpaste.
In the 1700s, the processes of cosmetic dentistry saw substantial improvement, with porcelain being introduced as a material for making dentures. Within the century, dentists began using plaster molds to ensure a more snug fit for dentures. Over the next several centuries, porcelain became less economical to use, and the dental industry progressed to utilizing acrylics and plastics, which we still use to this very day!
Today, vast technological advancements in dentistry have allowed us to offer all types of ways to whiten, straighten, and restore your smile, such as:
Bonding
Veneers
Dental implants
Teeth whitening
Lumineers
Inlays and Onlays
Why You Should Invest in Your Smile
Even though much has changed since the “good old days” of cosmetic dentistry, one thing remains the same—its purpose: To improve the health and beauty of your smile. There are some significant benefits of this practice:
Physical Benefits
Cosmetic dentistry isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about ensuring that your mouth, gums, and teeth are strong and healthy. For instance, misaligned teeth can be more than unsightly—they can result in an imbalanced bite, which can lead to chronic headaches because of the stress put on the jaw muscles. Straight teeth are also less likely to suffer wear and tear.
Additionally, cosmetic dentistry can also have a remarkable impact on the future of your teeth. Dental bonding and other procedures don't only offer cosmetic corrections, but actually protect your teeth from further damage. And of course, cosmetic dentistry can repair damage caused by issues like illness, trauma, infection, or even your hereditary genes.
There’s one other way that undergoing a cosmetic procedure can benefit not only your oral condition, but your overall health as well. Following cosmetic procedures, countless patients have made the decision to preserve the new and improved appearance of their teeth by changing their eating and drinking habits. By avoiding junk foods, sugary drinks, and smoking, these patients have not only enhanced their smile, but made long-term changes to their physical health as well.
Psychological Advantages
Along with the host of benefits cosmetic dentistry has for your oral health, it can also boost your mental health as well. For instance, as we age, the enamel of the teeth becomes worn down and discolored. Additionally, this condition can be compounded by medications, chemotherapy, radiation, and disease. When you elect to correct and rejuvenate your smile, you’ll look younger and feel more confident than ever!
Some individuals with misaligned, missing, or otherwise imperfect smiles can be embarrassed by their condition and will shy away from smiling or even avoid speaking to others. Research has shown that having a beautiful smile can instill confidence, improve interpersonal relationships, and even have a positive effect on first impressions. With a boost in self-esteem, you’ll be happier and more satisfied with your appearance. In fact, cosmetic dentistry has even been known to help reverse years of depression and low self-esteem in extreme cases!
Cosmetic procedures impact social situations as well. The confidence that accompanies a dazzling and bright smile can make you more outgoing and extroverted. You may even notice a difference in the way people around you behave and look at you. Some behavioral studies have even shown that individuals with perfect smiles do better in job interviews and employment opportunities.
Call Us Today and Get Started on a New and Improved You!
If you’re unhappy with your appearance, embarrassed by your smile, or simply want make an aesthetic improvement to your mouth, our cosmetic dentistry experts can help you restore confidence and satisfaction with the way you look.
For more information on cosmetic dentistry procedures, or to schedule an appointment for a consultation, call us today at 703-243-3600.