If you’ve ever wondered what a smile predicts, a study at UC Berkeley sheds a little light on the subject. Researchers went through an old high school yearbook and looked at…you guessed it…smiles. They established measures of health and success over a 30 year period. Remarkably, by measuring smiles, they were able to predict how long the subjects’ marriages lasted, how they would score on surveys of well-being and happiness, and how well they inspired others. The broadest smiles consistently predicted the highest measures in all of the above.
When you look in the mirror and feel good about your teeth, you’ll smile more. And when you smile more you simply feel better. Yes, there’s research on that too! It turns out that the physical act of smiling fires neurons in your brain associated with happiness, and when you share your smile with others, a similar effect occurs in their brains. The win-win act of smiling carries many implications in every aspect of your life.
Math and Your Teeth
A lot goes into a superb smile, and your teeth play a central role. At City Smiles, we concern ourselves with the intricate details of exceptional teeth. For example, you might be surprised to find there’s a distinct ratio of width to length for front teeth that looks best. If teeth violate this value, teeth may look too square or short. We may find that just adding a fraction of length to your front incisors may change the entire appearance of your smile. Many other details such as angulation, rotation, and thickness are just part of what we analyze to improve your smile.
People often list tooth color as the most important factor in evaluating their smile. Any shift in the tone and brightness of your teeth can be dramatic. Many people don’t realize how much color our teeth absorb over time; but altering the color may be a simple solution that instantly boosts your confidence, or complements any other treatment. Here’s a quick screening test for you: look in the mirror and compare the whites of your eyes with your teeth. Unless you’re coming off a night of no sleep, the two areas should look roughly the same. Many people find that the whites of their eyes look much lighter than their yellowed teeth.
What about the effect of one misplaced tooth, like a pointed canine that sits too far forward? Since the human eye appreciates harmony, even a single stray tooth can disrupt the appearance of an otherwise decent smile. Solutions to establish a balance between teeth are a critical part of cosmetic dentistry’s focus.
Let’s Create Harmony
At City Smiles, the details of your smile matter to us. With Dr. Hill’s experience and training in cosmetic dentistry, you can leave those details up to us. We’ll evaluate the big picture and everything that creates it and help you find the smile of your dreams. Call (314) 678-7876 in downtown St. Louis, (314) 678-7876 in Clayton or email us to learn more.