Why Is America Obsessed with Perfect Teeth

A woman showing her teeth to the camera.

Published by Dr. Charles Gemmi

A Board Certified Orthodontist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, Dr. Charles Gemmi has been a practicing orthodontist with Orthodontics Limited since 2000 and is a member of the teaching staff at Einstein Medical Center. Orthodontics Limited is a Diamond+ Provider of Invisalign in Philadelphia and Hatboro, PA.

The American culture has always stereotypically been about the importance of image, of always looking good. All you have to do is watch an episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashian and it will seem true. With Hollywood, the media and advertising constantly promoting images of young beautiful people it is no wonder if people feel the pressure to look perfect. And part of looking perfect is of course a beautiful white smile showing perfectly aligned teeth.

Americans are obsessed with perfect teeth because they know the power of a beautiful smile. In the last two decades, both the teeth-whitening and orthodontic industries have been booming in the United States as people are constantly on the quest for a more beautiful smile. Studies have indicated that Americans will turn down a date with someone if they have a crooked or unhealthy looking smile.

Can a beautiful smile really make that big of an impact? Yes, it can. Here are some of the ways:

Your Smile Can Brighten Someone’s Day

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.

Your Smile Can Make People Healthier

On top of spreading love and happiness, 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.

Your Smile Can Change People’s Perception of You

By flashing your beautiful pearly whites, you are 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. No wonder actors invest so much in perfect teeth. Next time you have a job interview or are going on a blind date, make sure to smile a lot. You will be sure to turn heads in a positive way.

People will Trust You Better

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.

The benefits of smiling are hard to resist. Direct eye contact and a big smile can really make a difference. Not only will you feel better, but you make those around you feel better too. And by reducing stress and inflammation in your body, you are giving yourself a better shot at living a healthier life.

It Will Boost Your Self-Esteem

A perfect smile isn’t going to just have an effect on those around you, but also on yourself as well. Think about how more confident you will feel when you can flash your pearly whites freely and not worry that people are judging you badly. You will more likely go after the things you want in life and go out and have fun and be adventurous when you are feeling good about yourself. Beats always sitting in watching television and eating ice cream, right?

It is amazing how big of an impact your smile can have on your life and the lives of others so it is important no matter what life throws at you to always have a smile on your face. Don’t think of it as pretending to feel happy when you are not. Instead look at it as proactively choosing to feel positive regardless of what is happening around you.

While of course you don’t need perfect teeth to smile, most of the time when we are embarrassed by the condition of our smile we tend to remain tight-lipped. Whether your teeth are not as white as they could be or you have crooked or missing teeth, there are affordable solutions that can help you achieve that beautiful smile you have always wanted. Orthodontic care is one affordable way to get that perfect smile you have always wanted. Recent studies have shown that the number of American teenagers under orthodontic care has almost doubled in the last twenty years and a larger number of adults are also getting braces too.

If you are considering getting braces, remember that there are many more options than there used to be. Besides the traditional metal braces, you can also go with ceramic tooth-colored braces that are less visible to people around you or lingual braces which are adhered to the back of your teeth. And there are the Invisalign aligners which are clear plastic removable aligners. There are pros and cons to each type of treatment so it is important to do your research and to be honest with yourself about which factors are most important to you.
The cost of orthodontic care is usually seen as one of the biggest obstacles families tend to face. Luckily today orthodontic treatment is very reasonable and most orthodontists offer payment plans.

For more information, about how you can transform your smile and get perfect teeth, call Orthodontics Limited.

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