If you’re feeling down in the dumps and seeking a way to brighten your days, turning to your smile may be the solution. Since the 1980s, researchers have looked into the impact our smiles have on our self-image and overall happiness. Throughout the years, studies have shown that there is a connection between happiness and dental health.
How Dental Health is Linked to Happiness
The health of your smile can have a significant impact on the quality of your life. A healthy, bright smile can give you a boost of self-confidence to help you with that big presentation at work, cheering your kids on at their next game, or on that first romantic date night. Being able to laugh and smile freely, without worrying about poor dental health, can increase your mood and the mood of those around you.
As more data around the connection between a person’s smile and their social well-being was collected, “evidence grew of the impact of oral disease on social roles.” The relationship between a person’s smile and the quality of their life becomes even more clear when you take into consideration the misery caused by poor dental care. Tooth decay, gingivitis, and other common oral health issues can cause a great deal of pain, bad breath and a less-than-luminous smile.
Missing or damaged teeth can also impact an individual’s quality of life, affecting:
- Chewing
- Speaking
- Smile appearance
- Ability to socialize
- Ability to perform work/daily activities
Children’s Dental Health Impacts Development
When looking specifically at adolescents ages 10 to 17, researchers examined whether or not self-confidence was affected by dental disorders. The dental disorders included missing or broken teeth, untreated dental caries, and malocclusion (a genetic condition causing an imperfectly spaced bite).
After studying children from 14 participating schools, researchers found that dental health and happiness were linked, and dental health has a substantial influence on self-esteem. Specifically, dental health impacted the children’s abilities to “accept the worthiness of oneself.”
As dentists become more aware of the impact poor dental health has on children (physically and mentally), they can help parents educate their children and build life-long positive dental habits. In turn, dentists can help them develop their self-esteem into adulthood.
The Good News!
Studies demonstrate that dental health is linked to happiness. That means maintaining your dental health will lead you and your children, friends, and family, to a healthier, happier life down the line. Dental benefits from dental insurance providers such as Delta Dental, make this an easy task by completely covering your preventive care services.
Preventive treatment from a dentist will help you avoid conditions that negatively impact your well-being. Bi-annual dentist visits and the proper at-home dental care routine can help you strengthen your sense of self-worth, self-confidence, and comfort in social situations. Overall, it can improve your quality of life.
From proper brushing and flossing methods at home to dentist visit reminders, here at Delta Dental, we’re all about helping you make the most of your dental benefits. Why? Because it leads to a happier, healthier you. With an extensive network of dentists in your area, not only do benefits save you money, they make it easier to find the perfect dentist for your needs.
For information on what’s included in your plan, click here. Don’t have a plan yet? Learn more about getting dental benefits.
