Con­fi­dence Starts with Your Smile: How Cos­met­ic Den­tistry Can Impact Men­tal Health

Research shows that those with a confident smile are more likely to be content, and are likely to put this confidence to work in different areas of their lives. They might be more outgoing in social settings, more ambitious at work, and more likely to put themselves out there when it comes to romantic connections.

On the other side, those who are shy about their smiles might report negative outcomes, such as social anxiety, increased isolation and negative self image.

With this in mind, we’re exploring some of the ways cosmetic dentistry can help improve your quality of life and boost your mental health.

The link between mental health and oral health

When we explore the link between mental health and oral health, we often look at the way oral health can be impacted by mental health. Patients who report low mental health might struggle to complete everyday tasks like brushing their teeth or sticking to regular checkups.

What we don’t often think about is the way that mental health can be impacted by the health and appearance of your teeth. This is worth exploring, as we know that many cosmetic treatments are becoming much more accessible. This means that patients can afford to invest in their smiles and address the source of their insecurity, rather than feel like they just have to live with it.

There is some truth to the phrase “fake it till you make it” when it comes to confidence. Even if you don’t genuinely feel confident, a beautiful smile can help you to fake it until the confidence becomes real. Let’s explore some of the ways you can feel more confident with cosmetic dentistry.

Boost your confidence

One of the biggest transformations we see with patients is when their new smile is revealed and they are beaming with confidence. This can stretch into all areas of your life, from your social life to your career. It might only be when you address the problems with your smile when you realise just how much it was impacting your confidence.

Be more outgoing

If you don’t feel confident in your smile, you might find that it holds you back in certain areas of your life. You might find it more difficult to make friends because you don’t feel like you can approach people you don’t know. You could become so preoccupied with your teeth that you find yourself worrying about that when you should be trying to make conversation.

Be more approachable and appear more friendly

People are drawn to warm and welcoming smiles. A confident smile spreads happiness and draws other people in. If you find that you cover your teeth when you smile, this can make you look like you are holding back, or like you aren’t really happy. And when you do let go and smile with your teeth, you find yourself covering your mouth with your hand. These are all behaviours that give unconscious signals to those around you that you don’t want to be approached.

More likely to take on a leadership role

If you are self conscious about your smile, this could also impact your performance at work. You might be a very capable leader, but you might struggle to put yourself forward for leadership roles out of a fear that people will be looking at you and judging your smile. This could lead you to pass up on opportunities to further your career.

Treatments to consider to boost your confidence

If you’re tired of letting your smile get in the way of feeling confident, there are a few treatments to consider. This includes a range of treatments for all budgets, so you don’t have to let your budget get in the way.

Airflow Cleaning

The simplest way to feel more confident in your smile is to make sure it is healthy and free from stains. Airflow Hygienist Cleaning helps to remove all surface stains while also getting rid of plaque and bacteria which can lead to gum disease. Your teeth will look brighter and your gums will look healthier.

Teeth Whitening

If you are self conscious about the colour of your teeth, the easiest way to get rid of stains is with teeth whitening. This is a professional treatment that helps to break down stains that are set in your teeth and flush them away.

Composite bonding

This cost-effective treatment will let you quickly upgrade your smile in just one visit. It’s very effective for making your teeth look perfectly aligned, brilliant white and free from small imperfections like chips and cracks. It can also be used to close small gaps in your smile.

Invisalign

If you’ve always wanted braces but feel that wearing fixed metal braces would make you too self conscious, the ideal solution would be Invisalign. This orthodontic system uses clear aligners to gradually move your teeth into the optimum alignment. It’s fast and highly effective for more alignment problems.

Ready to get started?

If you want to boost your confidence with cosmetic dentistry, our team is here to help you on your journey. Book an appointment today to learn more about your treatment options with us.