Nothing is quite as impressive or alluring as a bright white, picture-perfect smile. It’s a surefire way to make a good first impression and the absolute easiest way to be the show-stopping star of any photo op. But did you know that having a pristine set of pearly whites also offers a whole host of other health benefits as well? In particular, modern teeth whitening procedures have been proven to not only enhance the color of a person’s teeth but also his or her overall health and well-being.
Here are just a few of the added health benefits that today’s professional teeth whitening treatments can afford to both you and your smile.
Better Smile, Better Job, Better Health
A recent national study suggested that nearly 75% of all adult Americans believe that a white smile directly supports career success and job advancement opportunities. And if you think about it, it makes sense. Who wants to hire someone whose looks indicate poor health or an inability to properly care for one’s physical appearance? Whether consciously or not, a more attractive and welcoming physical appearance affects how an individual is viewed in terms of his or her abilities and personal characteristics. After all, if you can’t do something as simple as take care of your teeth, how can you be expected to excel in a highly skilled career?
How, though, do improved career opportunities translate to improved health? With a better job, individuals can afford superior medical care and have the financial means required to support a healthier lifestyle. In fact, a recent study by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital saw a direct correlation between “economic opportunity” or career advancement and the overall physical and mental well being of the patients studied. So with a whiter smile comes a better job, which in turn fosters better health.
A Lustier Love Life
The same study that linked peoples’ beliefs about job success to whiter, brighter teeth also suggested that nearly 84% of Americans believe that a beautiful smile improves one’s odds of meeting the man or woman of one’s dreams. Dating can be a difficult and trying process, and often our first impression has a huge impact on how others perceive us. A warm and bright smile is the easiest way to encourage new relationships and generate a positive appearance sure to impress any and all eligible bachelors and bachelorettes.
Snagging your potential spouse may not at first appear to be a direct heath benefit, but studies support a direct link between love and better immune functioning, increased physical fitness, clearer skin, improved heart health, and a healthier mental state, as love produces greater levels of dopamine in the brain associated with optimism, energy, and overall happiness. In addition, finding your soulmate also seems to suggest an overall longer lifespan and fewer instances of disease.
Increased Self-Esteem
Arguably the biggest benefit associated with achieving a picture perfect pout is that of increased self-esteem and greater levels of self-confidence. When we feel better about ourselves, we are inherently happier and more confident in our abilities and our overall sense of self. And there is truly nothing as healthy as being happy and content, assets that are directly linked with the benefits of slower aging, fewer medical ailments, less stress, and an overall longer lifespan. Appearances, whether it’s the whiteness of one’s teeth or the color of one’s hair, may not be the only means for achieving a long and happy life, but it is part of the answer.
Today’s teeth whitening procedures make acquiring a little extra confidence boost as easy as a trip to the dentist, and the health effects can be tremendous.
