5 Ways Porcelain Veneers Will Change Your Life
What are porcelain veneers?
Porcelain veneers are a versatile solution to many cosmetic dental concerns, such as chips, discoloration, stains, weakness, gaps, “gummy smiles,” and misalignments. Though porcelain veneers correct issues that appear on the surface of your teeth, the effects of this non-invasive cosmetic dental treatment are much more than skin-deep.
Here are five unexpected ways that porcelain veneers can change your life and improve your daily experiences.
1. Better dental hygiene.
In addition to routine trips to the dentist, the health of your mouth depends on good dental hygiene habits such as daily brushing and flossing. Though tooth decay and periodontitis (gum disease) are largely preventable through a lifestyle of dental hygiene, the majority of Americans experience these common dental diseases. Half of American adults 30 and over suffer from gum disease and 92 percent of adults between 20 and 64 have had cavities. And, most alarmingly, a recent study revealed that almost one-third of Millennials only brush their teeth once daily, with the average Millennial reporting at least one instance of not brushing at all for more than two days in a row.
While many factors may contribute to insufficient dental hygiene habits, one powerful emotional factor can influence how you care for your teeth: pride. A sense of pride can increase self-control and perseverance and motivate you to make choices that elevate your health and life. As they completely transform the appearance of your teeth, porcelain veneers can empower you to feel proud of your smile and more likely to share it with the people in your life. A sense of pride in your smile can motivate you to dedicate time every single day to care for the health and appearance of your teeth and to appreciate the value oral health brings to your overall sense of self-confidence and well-being.
2. Improved oral health and function.
Oral health is a combination of clean teeth, healthy tissues, and optimum function. While some dental issues—such as chips, weakness, or crookedness—can seem purely cosmetic, they can actually impact your long-term oral health and lead to greater consequences, such as cavities, uneven wear on tooth surfaces, and jaw pain.
Porcelain veneers can whiten and beautify your smile while elevating your smile’s overall health and function. By correcting minor malocclusion (misalignment of your teeth or bite), porcelain veneers can help to properly distribute the force of chewing, prevent jaw discomfort, make it easier to keep your teeth clean, and help your teeth wear more evenly. To prepare for your veneer treatment, Dr. Farless will advise and help you in achieving your best oral health. Once your optimum oral health is achieved, your porcelain veneers will be applied to a smile that’s been strategically prepared for long-term health and longevity.
3. Memorable first impressions.
Do you know how long it takes to make a first impression? While the research varies from one-tenth of a second to two minutes, the truth is it doesn’t take long for us to size each other up. Personality, intelligence, attractiveness, and trustworthiness are judged in a matter of seconds! And whether it’s favorable or not, that first impression can stick and influence social interactions even after people have gotten to know you better.
From placing your coffee order with a barista to interviewing for a new job, your smile is one of your facial features that powerfully influences how people will perceive and respond to you. While you may not be able to control all the factors that make a first impression go sideways, veneers allow you to create a smile that you feel reflects your inner sense of poise, confidence, kindness, attractiveness, and intelligence.
4. Higher self-confidence.
From career to relationships to lifestyle choices, confidence can positively influence multiple areas of your life. In addition to fostering a higher sense of self-worth and self-esteem, confidence can give you the tenacity to stay committed to your goals, tackle challenges, and overcome difficulties.
Confidence comes from the inside-out and outside-in. It’s a product of our personal beliefs, values, lived experiences, and how we feel about our appearance. For most Americans, good oral health and having an attractive smile top the list of physical attributes that bolster their self-confidence every day. A porcelain veneer treatment is a safe and simple way to dramatically change the appearance of your smile, boost your self-esteem, and experience the far-reaching benefits of self-confidence.
5. Mood boost.
Your smile does more than make you seem attractive, trustworthy, and intelligent (though it does those things too). Though a smile can reflect many emotions (from nervousness to mischief), smiling is often a natural response to feeling happy and relaxed. And fortunately for us, our smile and our brains are a two-way street. Even if you’re not feeling happy or relaxed, smiling as if you were convinces your brain to feel the same. The act of smiling activates the release of serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins—your body’s built-in, feel-good messengers. While serotonin is associated with reduced feelings of stress and elevated levels of happiness, dopamine contributes to feelings of pleasure and satisfaction, and endorphins reduce feelings of pain.
If you hide your smile because you’re dissatisfied with its appearance, you may be missing out on your body’s built-in ability to bust stress, relax, and experience greater ease. In addition to correcting your smile’s cosmetic concerns, porcelain veneers can make you feel more confident about sharing your smile—even if it’s just for you as you look in the mirror.
We love to see you smiling and feeling your best. To learn more about how you can experience the far-reaching benefits of porcelain veneers, schedule an appointment today!