Part confidence, part look and part wow factor, a great smile is a quality that many people flaunt with fabulous effect throughout the course of life.
But what goes into making a smile great? Is it delivery? Is it straight teeth? Is it gleaming pearly whites? Well it’s a little more complicated than just one factor, so here are our top ingredients of a great smile.
Straight teeth
Without a doubt, straight teeth contribute to the look of a great smile. All neatly lined up in perfect formation, straight teeth are aesthetically appealing.
But often it’s not just that the bearer of that smile has straight teeth, it’s that they feel good about them and are confident in flashing them for friends and acquaintances in person or more publicly on camera.
White teeth
White teeth are often associated with good health and hygiene, and in an image-conscious age gleaming pearly whites are certainly a factor of a really great smile.
It’s important to note, however, that beneath the surface, white teeth are not the sole indicator that your teeth are healthy.
That comes down to a range of factors including how well you look after them, how well they align, whether there is gum disease or decay, and the diet you embrace.
A properly aligned bite
Straight teeth may be one indicator of a great smile, but equally important is a properly aligned bite. A bite that sees teeth meet where and when they should ensure better dental health over the course of a lifetime.
It eliminates issues like overbite or cross bite that can lead to teeth trauma and wear, and also improves the appearance of a smile in ways that can be hard to quantify. For example, a properly aligned bite often impacts the overall appearance of the face, reducing issues like recessed chins or sunken cheekbones.
Symmetry and balance
Over the years there has been a lot of research into how symmetry and balance can make a face appear more appealing, and your teeth are just one area where this comes into play.
A symmetrical smile sees the small gap between your front teeth right in the centre of the upper lip. It also involves teeth with a good length to width ratio, top and bottom teeth that line up and a lot more.
The gums
The teeth might be the focus, but their look and function are also impacted by the gums, especially when it comes to teeth length in relationship to the gums.
When the gums appear to be too long in relation to the teeth, or when the top lip reveals too much gum as someone smiles, it’s known as a gummy smile.
This can be due to genetics or can also be attributed to a top lip that’s too short.
Meanwhile, behind the scenes, the gums play a critical role in teeth health, with gum disease linked to loose teeth, tooth loss and further general health issues like cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some cancers.
Good dental health
Good dental health ensures a smile that lasts a lifetime, allowing the teeth to appear clean and healthy while also preventing decay and tooth loss.
Good dental health sees you clean your teeth for two minutes at least twice daily, floss them once a day and visit your dentist once a year.
This preventative maintenance allows you to avoid issues like plaque, decay, gum disease and tooth loss.
Meanwhile, it’s important to note a straight, well aligned smile and a healthy smile are often interlinked. Why? Because a straight, properly aligned smile is easier to keep clean and maintain.
Confidence
All these physical factors might contribute to a great smile, but there’s no denying one essential element is the confidence of the smile bearer.
When people feel good about themselves and flash their smile it’s a beautiful thing, regardless of whether that smile is perfect or not.
In fact, the smile is something we value as a society throughout life. It’s cited as one of the top things people are attracted to, helps everyone feel at ease, and is one of the facial features that doesn’t necessarily diminish as we age.
How Australians feel about their smile
The fact is many Australians feel less than confident about their smile, with a recent survey by Orthodontics Australia finding:
- Over half of all Australians (55 per cent) feel self-conscious about their teeth
- Almost two thirds (62 per cent) would like to actually do something to fix their crooked smiles
- Given the chance, almost half (46 per cent) of Australians would like to ‘change’ their teeth over the chance of changing any other facial feature
Meanwhile, 60 per cent of Australians believe a good smile gives you increased confidence, and more than half say they would smile more if they had a perfect smile.
Orthodontics and a great smile
Orthodontics contributes to a great smile in a host of ways. Not only does it straighten the teeth and align the jaws to give you a better-looking smile, it also creates a smile that is easier to keep clean, thus reducing the chance of gum disease and decay.
A straight and aligned smile also helps to improve the symmetry of the face, while jaws that meet and function correctly can improve the entire profile of the face.
And the good news is…it’s never too late to improve your smile. If you have a child whose smile might need attention, or if you’re an adult who wishes to improve the look and functionality of your smile, a specialist orthodontist can assist.
About Norwest
Norwest Orthodontics specialises in helping you achieve a great smile, no matter your age. We feature a range of orthodontic treatments that span from early intervention right through to remedial adult work.
We also have a suite of treatments available that includes Invisalign and we welcome the opportunity to work with you to achieve the smile that you’ve always dreamed of.
You can learn more about our services, or contact us here to make an appointment.
