With the beginning of each new year, I hear people talking about the things they want to improve going forward. People want to lose weight, exercise more, correct dental problems, eat healthier foods, change their hair, try new fashion trends...the list of self improvement resolutions is a mile long! To date, I haven't heard anyone make a new year resolution about their smile. As a member of the Invisalign Mom Advisory Board, smiles are at the forefront of my mind nowadays, so I find this a little strange.
It all starts with our smile. It's how we greet people - or how we SHOULD be greeting people, in my humble opinion. A big smile shows how happy we are; just like someone's eyes are the window into their soul, a smile is a window into a person's state of being.
Smiles are important!
Did you know that the very act of smiling can actually make you happier? When you smile, you trigger facial muscles that actually release endorphins that can improve your mood! I don't know about you, but that just seems like all the more reason to smile!
Ever since Angeline has been in the Invisaling Teen treatment program, she has been smiling much more, and her smiles actually show her teeth now. Her Instagram feed is full of pictures of her pearly whites and big, happy smiles. As her mom, this makes me VERY happy!
I know that being unhappy with your teeth can prevent teens from smiling as much as they want to, so I assume the same must hold true to adults. I personally haven't had any major dental problems, so I've always been comfortable with my smile - though when I smile, you hardly see my teeth because I have such a small mouth!
Do you have any self improvement goals for 2014? Along with other health-related resolutions, I think visiting an orthodontist to see about correcting dental issues should be at the top of the list for us moms. Untreated issues like crooked teeth, overbites and under bites, open bites and the like can actually cause medical problems, including periodontal disease - what's more is that these medical issues can worsen over time if left untreated!
Moms always put the kids first. I know that for myself, I would seek treatment for Angeline before I even considered getting it for myself. But OUR dental health is important too, moms! We need to feel our best to be good parents, and suffering from periodontal disease is no fun! Why let it get to that point?
If you think you need to see an orthodontist, I suggest taking the Invisalign Smile Assessment to see if Invisalign is a good fit for you. Invisalign can be used to treat so many different problems: everything from overbite to under bite, spaced teeth, crowded teeth, and of course, crooked teeth. Once you take the Smile Assessment, you can use the Invisalign Doctor Locator to find a qualified orthodontist in your area.
In the meantime, don't forget to like Invisalign on Facebook and follow Invisalign on Twitter!
Kita
I never smiled much I actually have a space between my teeth and I never closed it up it reminds me of my mom who has passed and I wanted to keep something of her in me. I am learning to embrace my smile now and it makes me different.
Virginia Higgins (
I made a goal to smile more, if that counts at all. 🙂
Lindsey
your smile is the first thing people see - I'm going after Invisalign soon - my orthodontist told me when I was 14 To throw away my retainer. Something now that they would NEVER do...
Robin (Masshole Mommy)
Back in the day I had those HORRIBLE metal braces. Kids these days are so lucky that the Invisalign option is available to them. If my kids ever need braces, that is definitely the way I am going!!
Melanie
So true!
By the way, I love your blog header!
Tammy
Our daughter had orthodontic treatment for five years (two years with an appliance and three years in braces) now we're in maintenance mode with the retainers and I still have to remind her to smile with her teeth showing for pictures, LOL! I'm all like - I paid big bucks for that smile girl, you better show those teeth!
Cassie
I was supposed to get braces when I was teenager but we couldn't afford it. With every review I read I WISH that the hubs and I could afford Invisalign now. I'm so glad that your daughter is smiling more 🙂
brett
we just found out my 8 1/2 year old will be needing braces. we'll have our orthodontist referral at our next cleaning appointment in june for her.
also, i like this pic better than the one you shared on your facebook!! LOL
Jenn
I am a firm believer in imperfection = beauty! How boring would our world be if we all looked the same? VERY!
Jenn
Thank you! I felt the need for something uncluttered, but that still showed my personality and what my life is all about! 🙂
Jenn
This partnership with Invisalign was a HUGE help to us! I hope that you are able to get treatment too! 🙂
Jenn
ha ha!! Yeah, the other one...not so great to show her smile. She is such a goofball! Good luck with your appointment! Ours was really easy and hassle-free.
Mina Slater
I had regular braces as a teen. Unfortunately my ortho didn't give me a retainer nor inf me that one was needed after having them removed and some of my teeth shifted right back to where they were shortly after. All that money my parents paid down the drain. I actually want to get it taken care of sooner rather than later. Although I didn't mind the metal braces as a teen since I had fun choosing cool colored rubber bands for them...I wouldn't want metal braces as an adult. So I think I'm actually going to see if Invisalign might be a match for my needs!
Susanna Barbee (Zealous Mom)
I think any smile is beautiful even if one's teeth aren't "perfect". Thank you for this post! My resolution is to workout and not rely solely on coffee for energy.
Jaime
Can you believe I've had braces three times? One of those times (the second round) was Invisalign. I liked how relatively easy it was to do, but it didn't give the results that my dentist was looking for (my dentist had recommended that I get braces a second time. When that second round didn't quite work, a third orthodontist put braces back on.) I would definitely recommend this system to people who have minor adjustments needed to make their smile perfect!
Liz
I wish Invisalign would work for me, but mine can't be corrected with it. I love the idea though.
Onica Cupido
Being able to smile is so important. It helps you feel good and is enjoyed by others around. Nice that Invisalign is helping your daughter to smile more
Joanna Sormunen
I have always been a big smiler. And I do believe that smiling makes you happier. It also makes the people around you happier.
April
I wish could have had Invisaline when I had braces a few years ago! it would have made having them a bit more tolerable. What an awesome partnership!
Melanie S.
My teeth were straight when I was younger, so I never had braces. Now, however, they seem to have shifted a bit. I have no idea why, but I'd love to find a way to get my straight teeth back.
Melissa
She is so beautiful. My husband is so self conscious about his smile. You won't find a picture showing his teeth. I know he's been wanting to look into this.
Dawn
Orthodontics have really come a long way. I had traditional braces as a teen and, looking back, I would have MUCH preferred the have Invisalign. 🙂
Janel C.
I didn't get braces until I was married. My smile DEFINITELY made a difference in how much I smiled!!
Ashley M
I have been considering invisalign. I feel I am "too old" for braces but my smile needs some work!
Jamie
I can really see poor teeth really affecting a child's self confidence, you can tell a child has low self esteem from their smile, or lack there of.
Piera
I wish Invisalign existed when I was a kid. I had to wear normal braces! I know that if my children ever need to straighten their teeth - I'll definitely choose Invisalign for them!
Liza
It's definitely something I'm considering down the road. I was in a car accident in elementary school and lost a permanent tooth, though, so I'm not sure if I'm a candidate.