A person’s most attractive feature is not their eyes nor the curves of their body. According to surveys, the smile outranks any other physical attribute.
In one study, more than two-thirds of respondents said that a smile is the most attractive feature in a person. It is more attractive than the eyes, face, and body shape. The only attribute that people find more attractive than their smile is personality.
This is not just true among Americans. Singaporeans, too, in a separate survey, voted oral health as attractive. Philips last year reported the results of a nationwide study that sought to identify the dental habits and perceptions of the population. They found that 84% of Singaporeans see that, the whiter your teeth are, the more attractive people will perceive you. Nearly half of them also said that practicing good oral habits makes them feel more presentable and confident.
A smile is powerful. It can lower your stress level, heart rate, and blood pressure. It can also make you look kinder and more friendly to strangers. It can even lead to romantic relationships.
Here are ways to maintain an attractive smile:
The Problem with Your Wisdom Teeth
A regular visit to the dentist should be part of your routine, not just because you had a toothache or an existing dental problem that requires immediate care and attention, but also to prevent a condition from developing or getting worse.
One potential cause of concern is your wisdom teeth. Your wisdom teeth can grow in many unexpected ways, either causing you pain and discomfort or messing up the alignment of your teeth. Many people need to undergo wisdom tooth extraction surgery to address the symptoms. A 2003 study found that, among 1,000 Singaporean patients aged 20 to 40, 70% had at least one impacted wisdom tooth.
But aside from the health consequences, wisdom teeth can crowd the teeth. Overcrowding can push a tooth or two out of alignment. You might need to get braces to keep your teeth straight and your smile perfect.
Avoid Tea, Coffee
Coffee and tea are essential to the life and culture of every Singaporean. However, these beverages can leave a dark tint on the enamel, the outermost layer, of the teeth.
White teeth, as surveys have found, are considered attractive to Singaporeans. It is an indicator of health and a good dental habit. While there are teeth whitening products available on the market, limiting your intake of these beverages that can stain your teeth works, too.
If it is unavoidable, experts suggest drinking coffee and tea with a straw. It prevents the liquid from touching and staining the teeth. Moreover, brushing your teeth after every meal removes the liquid from your mouth and, therefore, not soak your teeth for long periods.
Keep Your Breath Fresh
Your breath is absolutely part of your smile. If you have bad breath, no amount of teeth whitening or straightening will make you attractive.
Make sure that, in addition to whitening and straightening your teeth, your breath smells pleasant. Maintaining good oral health through regular brushing and flossing, using a mouthwash, and visiting your dentist at least once a year can prevent bad breath.
The odor coming from your mouth is usually a good predictor of dental habits. If you have bad breath, it might be because of what you recently ate, which can be resolved by chewing sugar-free mint gum. It can also be caused by a piece of food stuck in between your teeth that has gone rotten, which can be lodged out by flossing.
A recurring bad breath could signal something more. It is a common symptom of periodontal disease, better known as gum disease. It also is a sign of xerostomia, a condition called dry mouth in which saliva is not being produced to wash the dead cells away from the tongue, gums, and cheeks. Some respiratory conditions such as postnasal drip, sinus infection, bronchitis, and pneumonia may also lead to bad breath. In such cases, a visit to your general practitioner is necessary to address the underlying health issue and clear bad breath.
Your genes can affect the appearance of your smile, but that alone would not make your smile attractive. Without a good dental habit, your smile will deteriorate. Your teeth will turn brown and fall out. Your breath will stink. Practicing good oral hygiene every day will ensure that your smile will not turn people away, but draw them in.