Face Value

In our society and culture, a full smile showing teeth is a sign of trust and friendliness, but many people feel self-conscious about showing off their full set of pearly whites. People value smiles, but how much do you value your own smile? How comfortable are you with your smile? Are you only smiling half way? Are you less confident talking with coworkers, friends, and strangers than you'd like to be? Do other people seem comfortable talking with you and looking you in the face? Do you feel like your teeth have changed over the years and are now less confident with the impression you feel you are making with your smile? All of these are valid questions in a society that values straight teeth and beautiful smiles.

If you are in the market for a job, perhaps you feel like you'd make a better impression in an interview with a healthier smile. If you are negotiating deals, perhaps you'd feel like you'd seem more credible with beautiful teeth.

A lot of people would like to change their smile but many never take action. Often it is because they are afraid of the costs of treatment and dental work or they don't like the idea of having to wear braces. But, they don't realize that there are many options and alternatives available. At Aesthetic Orthodontics, we work with you to come up with a customized treatment plan, and we do whatever we can to make it as affordable as possible.

If you are ready for a change and would like to find out how we can help you create that smile that you have been dreaming of, give us a call for a completely free consultation. Even if you have been told by another doctor that you need surgery or dental work, we may be able to come up with better, more affordable options for you. We provide exceptional care so that you will leave smiling with confidence.

Embracing Your Braces

Crest and Oral B have created a contest called “Life Opens Up” where people submit videos about how their mouth has helped them open up to the world, and how the world has opened up to them in return. Crest and Oral B created several videos to show people the types stories they are looking for, and our patient, Ruby, was selected to shoot one of these videos because of her story about having braces as an adult. I wasn't able to embed her video in this blog, but check it out here.

Ruby has really conquered the fears and apprehensions about having braces as an adult and exudes the kind of contagious self-confidence that draws people in. We joke about braces being magnetic, but in Ruby’s case, hers really are. Ruby not only found her boyfriend during treatment, she embraced her social life and increased her self-confidence. Since the video was made, Ruby has gotten her braces off and loves her new smile. She is a great example of how patients can make the most of their orthodontic treatment.

If you are worried about having braces, try to take Ruby’s advice: Put yourself out there! Post a couple of pictures of you with your braces. Remember that you are only temporarily in treatment. Thousands of people have braces, and the people who truly care about you will be supportive of your treatment. Braces are becoming trendy as more and more adults are choosing to start orthodontic treatment. Focus on the changes that you see as your treatment progresses, and look forward to the end result. Enjoy your braces while they last and always embrace your smile.

Smile

This is a great video of the end of the movie “Modern Times” starring Charlie Chaplin in 1936. The comedian brought smiles to the faces of people around the world, which is why it is fitting that he wrote the music you hear playing in the background. In 1936, this theme song was nothing more than a beautiful melody, but in 1954, lyrics and the title “Smile” were given to this popular standard.

The message of the song is that even in the worst of times, you can make it through if you just smile. We all face difficult times, and sometimes, you just don’t have a reason to smile. But even forcing a smile can actually make you start to feel better as endorphins are released when you smile, helping to relieve physical and emotional stress. Just focus on putting happy thoughts into your head, take a few deep breaths, and smile. Smiling will not only make you start to feel better, but it will put others at ease and make them feel good as well. When you are facing a particularly hard time, offer up a smile. You’ll send a message that you are accepting the world around you, and the world will, in turn, smile back at you.