San Francisco, CA – Your smile is often the first thing people notice about you. A warm greeting with a smile tells people we are friendly and open. But if you don’t like to smile because you are unhappy with your teeth, you may be inadvertently sending people the wrong message. Orthodontic treatment can improve your smile, giving you the self-confidence to greet the world and those around you.
“Orthodontic treatment is powerful,” says Dr. Tony Cucalon. “I see that everyday when I look at my patients and see how their new smiles have transformed their lives. Improved self-esteem is one of the reasons many patients seek out orthodontic treatment, whether for their children or for themselves in adulthood.”
Crooked, crowded and misaligned teeth don’t just wreak havoc on our oral health, they can be damaging to our mental health, as well. If you are unhappy with the way your teeth are aligned, you may be so focused on trying to hide them that you aren’t embracing the world around you.
Studies show us that teens with low self-esteem are more likely to then suffer from depression and other mental health issues. In fact, one study showed that having low self-esteem between the ages of 15 and 18 was a risk factor for depression at the age of 21. Orthodontic studies have shown that self-esteem increases for patients after undergoing treatment.
- One Invisalign study saw 50% of participants say they felt others viewed them as more attractive and successful after undergoing treatment.
- The British Dental Journal published a study that found:
- 19 million people felt their self-confidence could be boosted by dental or orthodontic work to improve their smiles
- Nearly one in three adults said that having more attractive teeth would help them overcome embarrassment about their personal appearance
- 46% of adults believed an attractive smile could improve their appearance.
“There is a lot of science and psychology behind the benefits of smiling,” says Dr. Cucalon. “The simple act of smiling releases endorphins, which boosts our mood (and can even jumpstart our immune systems). And better yet – your body can’t tell the difference between a real smile and a fake smile. Just the act of smiling, even if it starts out forced, can trigger your body to release those mood-boosting endorphins. So if you are hiding a smile that you think is less than perfect, you’re missing out on a lot of happiness!”
If you’re still not convinced, take a look at these other interesting scientific facts about the benefits of smiling:
- Smiling can trigger the reward mechanism in your brain. In fact, researchers believe that smiling is even better for providing pleasure than chocolate!
- Smiling has a spiraling effect. Smiling lets your brain know you are happy, and in turn, your brain tells you to smile even more!
- Smiling may improve your health. Those endorphins don’t just make us happy, they keep us healthy, too. Smiling can lower blood pressure, heart rate and anxiety. So smiling more may keep you healthier!
“Your smile is powerful – not just for you, but for those around you, too,” says Dr. Cucalon. “One small gesture like a smile can, and does, change the world. At Cucalon & Matin Orthodontics we know that to be true and are so proud to be in the business of smiles.”
If you are ready to improve your self-esteem and get the smile you deserve, call Cucalon & Matin Orthodontics today at 415-563-2348.