People are more concerned with their smiles than one might think. In the current day and age of selfies, Instagram, and posting pictures on other forms of social media, having a good smile is paramount. Yet, despite this, many people don’t take care of the teeth in the way that they should. Although you should be seeing your family dentist once every six months, dentist appointments are made infrequently, many people don’t floss at all, and brush less than they should. Finding a family dentistry early on is important, especially if you have young children. You can start them on good dental practices early and they may not need cosmetic dentistry later in life. It’s not too hard to find a dentist these days; many insurance plans will even have a registry of dentists that work with their insurance and you can find one whose location, prices, and services match up with your needs.
What’s In a Smile?
The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry reports that almost 100% of Americans think a smile is important for their social life. And this extends past just their personal social life — 75% of people believe having an unattractive smile could possibly get in their way of being successful in their careers. Having a good smile can make people more comfortable around you and they may consider you more attractive, friendly, and trustworthy. It can also speak to your financial wellbeing — typically those with strong, even, and white teeth are better off financially. A smile can say a lot about you!
In line with that, Americans spend around one and a half billion dollars annually on products and procedures that can help them whiten their teeth and improve their smile. Between $5,000 and $6,000 is spent per procedure by the average patient going in for cosmetic dentistry to make their smile better.
Who’s Taking Advantage of a Family Dentistry Practice or Cosmetic Dentistry?
Ideally, if you have children you should be looking for a family dentistry close to you, so that your kids have the benefit of good teeth early on. They may grow up with the family dentistry practice that you’ve chosen and feel comfortable going to the dentist — even if it’s not their favorite thing! However, everyone should be going to their dentist with regularity — it’s the best way to get your teeth thoroughly cleaned at least twice a year and get instructions on things you can better with your dental hygiene. That dentistry practice will also get to know your teeth well and be able to pinpoint any changes in your teeth as the years go on as well.
A little over half of cosmetic dentistry patients fall between the ages of 41 and 60. The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry also reports that over 65% of patients that come in are female. Perhaps one of the most common procedures is bleaching or whitening of the teeth, but there are many other techniques to treat discolored, chipped, missing, or misshapen teeth as well. In the last five years, the percentage of teeth whitening procedures has gone up 300%. Crowns and veneers are also common, as are bonding and reshaping and contouring teeth. Braces are one common example of cosmetic dentistry and most of us have gone through the orthodontist’s chair ourselves in the preteen and teenage years!
Where Can I Find a Family Dentistry Or a Cosmetic Dentist?
Your insurance plans may have a list of family dentists that you’re covered under, so that can be a good place to start. Family or friends who live in the area may be able to make recommendations as well. For a cosmetic dentist, your family dentist may be able to refer you to a contact he or she knows. Again, family and friends can also help with recommendations.
Your dental hygiene can impact your social, personal, and professional life. Strong, healthy teeth can help you live a healthier life as well — poor dental hygiene has been linked to heart disease and other conditions. Keep on smiling when you visit your family dentistry regularly.