You go out of your way to look your best. You make yourself the object of beard envy. Skincare is a priority in your world. But it can’t hide the one thing that bothers you more than anything else—your poor jaw alignment.
If you think it matters, you’re right. The global market for clear aligners to fix a bad bite alone was over £1.7 billion and projected to increase nearly fourfold by 2027. With so many different aligners to choose from, it’s important you read Smile Direct reviews, Invisalign reviews, and reviews for other brands you’re interested in.
There’s more to it than just having straight teeth. It can change the way you see yourself and the world around you.
Effects of Jaw Alignment on How You Feel
How we look impacts the ways we interact with others and, thus, their perceptions of us. Think about it. If you feel embarrassed about your appearance, you might behave differently.
You may pass on some social engagements.
You may converse less because of your bad teeth.
You might experience pain, headaches, or other symptoms that can sour your mood.
A misaligned jaw can also affect your mental health and lower your self-esteem. That can, in turn, affect your social life. When you don’t feel your best, it shows.
Influence on Social Perceptions
The problem is that other people won’t know the reason for your actions. You may cheese someone off accidentally because they think you’re high-hatting them.
Not cool.
The real reason is that you’re feeling off-color because you slept so badly last night with jaw pain that hurt and kept you awake.
Brits care about their teeth and how they look. The stereotype that we have bad teeth is a myth. However, there are links between socio-economic status and dental health issues that can sway social perceptions.
Bad teeth can sully that all-important first impression. Even the best-groomed beard can’t hide it, either. When it comes to getting on top of your social game, a lot depends on what’s going on inside of you. It’s essential to understand it, both mentally and physically.
It’s telling how widespread these feelings are with people of all ages. A survey of American adults found that over 80 percent thought bad teeth are a problem even in their professional lives. That’s even more compelling when you consider the socio-economic factor, too.
Why Jaw Alignment Matters
Your jaw alignment changes as you age. Your teeth naturally wear down just from eating and drinking. Genetics can also play a role in whether it’ll happen to you. It can occur because of bad childhood habits. You may have liked your dummy a bit too much as a nipper or had a tough time giving up your bottle.
As a result, the gap between your lower and upper jaw becomes greater. If you have an underbite or overbite, it can make it worse.
When it occurs, your chin can recede to make up for the larger space. Unfortunately, that can also make you look older. It can have other unexpected consequences that go beyond alignment. Some people develop insomnia from jaw pain or anxiety that sometimes complicates the issue. It can have cascading effects, leading to further impacts on one’s appearance.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t stop there. Poor sleep can increase your chances of a stroke or heart attack. Luckily, improving your dental health and jaw alignment is something you can fix.
Taking Charge of Your Health
Orthodontics or cosmetic dentistry can help realign your jaw to give you a youthful appearance and erase what time has done. It’s not wishful thinking, either.
We understand if you’re reluctant. Nonetheless, if you’re hesitant about seeing a dentist, don’t be.
Innovations and technology in dentistry have improved immensely. It’s less painful now with more reliable results. You may not need surgery, either. If you’ve had a bad experience in the past, you’ll even find help to overcome your fears.
Think about what you’ll get in return. You’ll feel better about the way you look, which can make you want to go out and socialize more often.
You’ll likely find that taking that first step can have profound effects on your life, both personally and professionally.
As your stress levels drop, your confidence will increase.
You will feel more comfortable talking.
You’ll take more pride in your appearance.
It’s odd to think that something that seems so minor can affect your outlook in so many ways. Nevertheless, embarrassment and dissatisfaction with your appearance can kill the conversation before it starts. When you understand how one thing affects your appearance, it becomes it easier to make informed decisions.