It’s no secret that many Americans are unhappy with the way they look. In fact, 20% of adults according to a 2015 survey stated that suffered from anxiety due to the condition of their mouth and teeth.

You might not think so, but a person’s smile can be very important. It gives that person confidence, makes them feel good and makes other people notice them. The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry found that more than 50% of adults over the age of 50 agree that a smile remains a person’s most attractive feature as a person ages. Additionally, the AACD found that almost 75% of adults feel that having an unattractive smile can hurt their chances for success in their careers.

If you’re the type of person who’s embarrassed by their smile or tends to hide in back of large family photos, don’t fret. If you’re looking to restore your smile and feel more confident, cosmetic dentistry can do a lot to give you a boost. Having a bright smile can do a lot to brighten a person’s spirit and attitude and there are many benefits to meeting with a cosmetic dentist about cosmetic dentistry benefits:

• Correcting flaws: If you’re hesitant to smile because of stained teeth, chipped teeth, cracked teeth or perhaps even a gap between your teeth, cosmetic dentistry can do a lot to correct aesthetic flaws when it comes to teeth. Good cosmetic dentists can offer a variety of treatments and solutions from bonding to whitening to even veneers to complete transform a person’s smile and even out those imperfections.
• Preventative measures: Bottom line: the entire purpose of cosmetic dentistry is to give a person a smile that looks great and makes them feel great. But oral health and cosmetic dentistry can also go hand in hand and many procedures can have many positive long-term effects, including: repairing cavities, restoring chipped or cracked teeth, freshening breath, covering exposed tooth roots and straightening teeth among other things.
• Stronger teeth: If you’re dealing with things like cavities or teeth sensitivity, you may have had to stop eating certain foods because your teeth are too weak or too sensitive. By undergoing cosmetic dentistry procedures, you’ll not only have your smile restored, but you’ll also be able to enjoy some of your favorite foods again because your teeth will be a lot stronger after the procedure.
• Affordability: As technology within the dentistry field continues to develop and improve, not only do procedures get easier, but once costly procedures become more affordable. Believe it or not, but many dental procedures these days are surprisingly affordable and restoring a long lost smile doesn’t have to be a pipe dream anymore. You can check with your insurance company to check on your coverage and you can also work with a dentist office to set up payment plans.
• A more youthful look: Even if you have a good smile and you take care of your teeth, it’s typically that enamel in teeth tends to become discolored and erodes with age. When this happens, the teeth — which help form facial structure for the lips and cheeks — can cause those facial features to cave in a little bit, giving a person a more aged look. With cosmetic dentistry, those facial features can be restored, which in turn can make a more youthful appearance as well as a great smile.
• More confidence: As has been established, a great smile can go a long way toward giving a person a real shot of self-confidence. Feeling self-conscious can lead a person to not being engaged at work, especially and team settings and may make them feel uncomfortable in social settings. With a great smile, people are happier, more engaged, more willing to be in social settings and more than willing to show off their pearly whites.

If you’re looking to restore your smile to its former glory, your best bet is to visit with a cosmetic dentist to discuss options for making that possible. Most dental procedures are affordable and can be beneficial for your overall oral health as well as your smile.