5 Reasons to be Thankful for your Teeth

Okemos, Lansing, and East Lansing, MI

The Thanksgiving season is a time to be thankful for things in your life, like your career, home, family, and friends. As you visit with loved ones this holiday season, the Okemos dentist near you, Dr. Christine Tenaglia of Tenaglia Smiles, encourages you to include your teeth on the list of items for which you feel grateful. Today on the blog, we share five reasons to be thankful for your teeth this year on today’s blog.

1. Teeth are a Distinguishing Feature

One of the first things people notice when meeting someone new is the condition of their smile. According to a 2012 survey conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, 99.7 percent of Americans “believe a smile is an important social asset.” The study also found that 74 percent of those surveyed also expressed they “[believe] an unattractive smile can hurt a person’s chances for career success.” Lastly, 96 percent “of adults believe an attractive smile makes a person more appealing to members of the opposite sex.” Based on the study results, the friendly Lansing dentist near you expresses the importance of your oral health regarding relationships and your professional success.

2. Teeth can Improve Your Health and Wellbeing

The primary purpose of your teeth is to grind and chew food for your survival. When you thoroughly chew, your saliva helps break your food down and prepare it for digestion. This process aids in your body’s absorption of life-sustaining vitamins and nutrients. The East Lansing board-certified dentist, Dr. Tenaglia, warns that patients who suffer from misaligned, crooked teeth may experience complications when chewing food resulting in more extended digestion periods and a loss of critical vitamins and nutrients. However, as you fill your belly at the Thanksgiving feast this year, thank your teeth for helping provide much-needed nutrition to your body.

3. Teeth Help You Speak

Thanksgiving gatherings are times to catch up with everyone about what is going on in life. Some families go around the table and express what they are most thankful for that year. However, for those who have crooked, missing, or gapped teeth, clearly expressing their thoughts and feelings through speech could be more challenging. Your Okemos family dentist explains that your tongue uses your teeth to help produce sounds that form words. Clear speech would be difficult without your teeth and could require specialized training to learn how to speak better.

4. Teeth are Relatively Easy to Maintain

Keeping your teeth clean and healthy is relatively simple if you follow a few basic oral health care guidelines. Brush twice a day, floss daily, and visit your licensed Lansing dentist every six months to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Also, consuming a balanced diet to include fresh fruits and vegetables and plenty of water can help keep your mouth clean and healthy.

5. Teeth are Repairable (Usually)

Noticing a not so dazzling smile can cause embarrassment in social situations or self-seclusion to avoid others. Fortunately, the experienced dentist in East Lansing, Dr. Tenaglia, can repair problems with your teeth. Through advanced technology, fillings, dental crowns, dental implants, veneers, and other procedures are available to turn your smile into one from Hollywood. To find out which approach is best for your oral health, feel free to schedule a consultation with Dr. Tenaglia.

Cosmetic Dentist in Okemos, Lansing, and East Lansing, MI

Being thankful for your hard-working smile this year can make you, well, smile! The benefits of healthy teeth and gums stretch beyond your oral health and prevent advanced health conditions such as heart disease or stroke. If you are unhappy with your smile and want to be picture-ready for Thanksgiving, feel free to contact your Okemos family-friendly dentist, Dr. Christine Tenaglia of Tenaglia Smiles, for an appointment today. Call our office at (517) 347-6733 or contact us online to schedule your appointment.