Dr. Jones and his staff are absolutely lovely and very welcoming. As a new patient you always go into a new office nervous of the unknown and what it’ll be like. Barbie is very welcoming and helpful and it shows why she is the first face you see when you walk in. I highly recommend Dr Jones for his wisdom, easy going nature ,and attention to detail. So glad to have been recommended by many to your office!
Have you set your New Year’s resolution yet? Whether you already planned yours in December or couldn’t care less about resolutions, we challenge you to improve your smile for 2021! This won’t be a significant change for some, but it could be drastic for others, with benefits that last long beyond 2021, even a lifetime.
After 34 years of practice, Dr. Jones has seen and heard firsthand the life-changing effects of prioritizing smiles. Take a couple of minutes to read the top five reasons to improve your smile below. Then call Park Place Dental at 707-210-0304 to get started. Unlike some resolutions, you could see a big payoff in as little as one simple habit change a day or one visit to our office!
1. You’ll Save Money
Who doesn’t want to save money, especially after the holidays? This is a popular time of year to become financially fit, too, so consider that a bonus.
You don’t have to invest a lot of money for smile maintenance. For a few dollars a month, if that, you can brush your teeth twice daily for at least two minutes and floss once a day. For most people, this is the single biggest factor in keeping your gums and teeth healthy and preventing disease and decay. Problems like that cost money to fix. And fixing problems costs time off work.
Regular dental checkups also contribute greatly to your smile’s health and appearance. It’s so important that we offer multiple ways to make this routine care affordable:
- Dental insurance
- Our in-house membership plan, which covers twice-yearly annual exams, cleanings, and X-rays for as little as $31/month
Even if you have existing oral health problems, we’ll work with you to come up with the most conservative, long-term solutions that take your budget into account.
2. You’ll Look Younger & More Successful
Think of someone with an amazing smile, someone you know personally or a celebrity. Chances are, they have a clean, white, straight, full smile. A healthy, attractive smile can enhance someone’s entire appearance. Shiny, white teeth make someone look healthier, younger, and more successful. If you’re proud of your smile, you’ll definitely smile more, too, so people will consider you friendlier and more approachable. Aren’t those attributes you’d like to have for any relationship – socially, romantically, and professionally?
A full smile makes you look younger, too. Just think about someone who is missing teeth. Don’t they look older than their age? Missing teeth can also make your cheeks look sunken in, so you lose that youthful fullness from your face.
It’s unfair, but people do make judgment calls based on that. We know this to be true from personal stories our patients have told us. And we know the compliments people have received after they started prioritizing their smiles or stopped putting off needed – or even desired – dental care.
According to an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry survey:
- 37 percent of people are considered less attractive if they don’t have a good smile
- 25 percent are considered less confident
- 45 percent of people think a smile is the most attractive feature – more than someone’s body
- 48 percent think a smile is the most memorable thing about someone they meet – more than what that person says
A lot of people look first to facial treatments and surgery for an appearance boost. Maybe all you need is a whitening treatment or a few veneers to improve your smile and overall look. Both of those take usually one to two visits here. You could walk out looking five years younger!
3. You’ll Feel More Confident
Self-esteem automatically comes with improvements to your appearance. Think about getting a great haircut or a new outfit. Don’t you hold your head a little higher? And don’t you feel good when you see a flattering picture of yourself or tilt your computer at just the right angle to look your best in a video call?
When your smile looks great, it’s even better than having a new dress or haircut. It lasts longer, too. We cannot tell you how many people over the decades have shared stories about how they could stop holding their hand over their mouths, or stop keeping their lips closed in pictures, or speak up at work, or start talking to a romantic interest or even a coworker because they didn’t feel embarrassed by their teeth.
If you’re missing teeth, this is especially true. You can feel confident not only about your appearance but about eating what you want around others. You won’t have to make decisions based on what your teeth can handle or what might make your dentures slip.
4. You’ll Be Less Anxious About Your Oral Health
Preventing smile issues and taking care of existing issues both result in the same thing: peace of mind.
If you’ve been putting off getting that sensitive tooth taken care of or have stopped talking around others without sucking on a mint first to eliminate bad breath, it doesn’t have to be this way. You can feel good knowing that your mouth is healthy and that your teeth are secure.
Some people are anxious about going to the dentist. We would know – we have been treating anxious patients for nearly three and a half decades! We also know it’s natural to feel nervous or even afraid about someone having their hands in your mouth and never knowing if you are going to feel pain or get a lecture.
First, we don’t make you feel guilty here for wanting to improve your health. That is both disrespectful and counterproductive. Second, we know that a listening ear and even sedation can go a long way to relaxing you so you can get the care you need. So can a cozy pillow and blanket!
A clean bill of oral health, like a clean bill of general health, can give you a long sigh of relief. No more nagging thoughts in the back of your mind about what could be wrong.
5. You Can Prevent Health Problems
Many people don’t think about their dental routine at home or a dentist office playing a role in their overall health. But a healthy mouth can prevent or reduce the risk of widespread health problems.
- Fixing a bad bite (the way your teeth come together) can minimize nagging headaches.
- Preventing and treating gum disease may reduce your risk of other inflammatory conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease.
- Treating a tooth infection can prevent infection from spreading to other parts of your body, including your brain.
- Replacing teeth with implants can allow you to eat nutritious foods and improve your digestion. It can also help you live a longer, higher-quality life, according to recent studies.
There’s a good reason – or five – to improve your smile in 2021. Start your New Year’s resolution today by brushing an extra minute or deciding to floss every day. And call us at 707-210-0304 to request your next appointment in Petaluma, CA. We are ready to improve your year – and your life!