According to Dentistry Today magazine, a study conducted by the international healthcare group Bupa showed that 42% of the 2,000 people they interviewed said they would change their smile if they could. Insecurities about our smiles can hold us back in a lot of ways. We might avoid smiling in pictures or laughing too hard because we’re afraid that people will judge us. We might not want to go on dates or speak up in meetings because we think our smile isn’t good enough.
But it’s important to remember that everyone has imperfections, and that’s what makes us unique and beautiful! So how do you deal with the insecurities you have about your smile? Here are a few tips:
Talk to your dentist about your concerns.
No one is born with perfect teeth. For some people, their teeth are naturally more yellow than others. Some people have gaps in their teeth. And some people have crooked teeth. No matter your insecurities about your smile, there are ways to deal with them!
Teeth whitening
If you’re insecure about the color of your teeth, ask your dentist about getting them professionally whitened. Teeth whitening can improve your smile by up to eight shades. It’s also one of the most affordable cosmetic dental procedures and can be as little as $100 for an at-home treatment kit.
Teeth whitening is also safe and has been used by millions of people around the world. In addition, most teeth whitening treatments take less than an hour to complete. You can do a treatment at home in just 15 minutes! These teeth whitening kits are typically easy to use and come with everything you need, including instructions.
Dental implants
If you have gaps or missing teeth, your dentist may recommend getting dental implants. Dental implants are artificial teeth implanted directly into the jawbone and can be used to fill in gaps or replace missing teeth. They look and feel like natural teeth, and they can last for a lifetime with proper care.
If you’re considering getting dental implants, your dentist will need to take X-rays and a CT scan of your jawbone to see if you’re a good candidate for the procedure. Not everyone is a good candidate for tooth implants, so it’s important to talk to your dentist about your options. The process usually takes two appointments. The first appointment is for implant surgery, which takes about two hours. The second appointment is for implant restoration, which takes about an hour.
All these can help bring confidence to your smile and make you feel more confident in social situations. They are also much more affordable than other cosmetic dental procedures, such as veneers or braces. Whatever your concerns are, your dentist can give you realistic advice about what can be done to improve your smile.
Learn to love your imperfections.
Whether you choose to have your appearance improved or not, start to embrace your uniqueness. There are lots of people out there who would love to have your same smile. It’s normal to be weary of our looks. We’re constantly bombarded with images of perfect people in the media, and it’s no wonder we sometimes feel like we don’t measure up. But it’s important to remember that these images are just that—images. They’re not real people, and they’re definitely not perfect. And remember, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Appreciate the things that make you different and use them to your advantage. Here are a few ways you can do that.
Start by appreciating your qualities.
We often focus on our negative qualities and ignore our positive ones. But it’s important to appreciate all aspects of ourselves. So take some time to think about the things that make you special. What are your talents? What do you love doing? What are your passions? Once you know what makes you unique, use them to your advantage.
Join a club or group that celebrates your difference.
There are lots of clubs and groups out there that celebrate diversity. Join one of these groups and connect with people who share your interests and values. Not only will you make new friends, but you’ll also learn more about yourself in the process!
Share your story with others.
One of the best ways to embrace your uniqueness is to share your story with others. When we share our stories, we connect with others on a deeper level. We also help others feel less alone in the world. So start sharing your story with as many people as possible! You never know who might need to hear it.
Fake it until you make it.
Even if you don’t feel 100% confident about your smile, act like you do! The more confident you appear, the more likely other people will see you as confident.
Having insecurities about our smiles is completely normal. But it’s important to remember that there are ways to deal with them. Talk to your dentist, learn to love your imperfections, and fake it until you make it. You’ll be surprised how much better you feel when you start embracing yourself—smile included!
