What Makes a Smile Beautiful? Here Are Some Traits People Find Aesthetically Pleasing

Have you ever wondered what exactly makes a smile beautiful? When someone looks at another person, the human brain quickly evaluates their appearance and makes a judgment about it. This process usually takes less than a second, and it’s unlikely that you’ll notice it happening if you aren’t paying very close attention. Here are a few traits in a smile that people generally find beautiful and how cosmetic dentistry can help you achieve them.

White and Bright Make for Quite a Sight

The first thing someone will notice about another person’s smile is probably its color. The color of healthy teeth varies from person to person, but they generally are all some slightly yellowish shade of off-white. Unfortunately, decades of use can cause stains and discoloration in the enamel layer. Drinks like wine, coffee, tea, colas, and sports drinks and foods like berries and colored candies are heavy in dyes and pigments that can get stuck in the enamel. Smoking is another notorious offender because it can cause yellow or brown stains to develop.

Luckily, your dentist can provide you with teeth whitening treatments that deliver results superior to those of anything you can buy at the store. These treatments can take the form of an in-office procedure that will take an hour or two or a take-home kit that you use every day for about two weeks. Either way, you’ll walk away with a bright and flashy new smile.

The Edge of Your Bite Can Make You Look Alright

The incisal edge is the edge of the upper front teeth that bites down into food. Ideally, the line this edge forms is symmetrical and curves upward from the incisors in front to the molars in the back. Unfortunately, chips, cracks, or misshapen teeth can interrupt the flow of this line and make the smile less visually appealing than it can be.

The good news is that treatments like cosmetic dental bonding and porcelain veneers can cover up these flaws and make the incisal edge a smoother line. Cosmetic bonding involves filling in cracks, chips, or gaps with composite resin. This procedure can be completed in minutes during a routine dental examination and is often quite affordable. Porcelain veneers can handle more complicated damage or misshapen teeth. Veneers are thin shells that resemble natural teeth, and they can be cemented on top of flawed teeth to create a beautiful new smile. This can have your smile in shape in two or three visits!

Advances in cosmetic dentistry have made Hollywood smiles accessible to the general public. If you think your smile isn’t as pretty as it could be, consulting with your dentist can determine if any of these treatments are a good fit for you.

About the Author

Dr. Laura Philipps earned her dental degree at Tufts University and has accrued more than two decades of experience in the dental field. She regularly participates in study clubs like the Pankey-Tanner Study Club and the local chapter of the Seattle Study Club. Her office in Midland, TX offers general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry such as the treatments listed here. For more information on what cosmetic dentistry can do for you, contact the office online or dial (432) 570-4433.