An Honest Smile Is an Icebreaker

The verdict is in, and science has proven once again that an honest smile is an ice breaker.

Studies show that people are much more accepting of positive emotions when forming bonds than they are to negative ones such as contempt, sadness, or anger.

However, they vividly warn against faking it. People can spot a fake smile a mile away.

Science concludes that people who display the so-called Duchenne smile give off positive emotions, whereas other types were viewed as being too fake or, in some cases, not genuine enough. Thus, an honest smile begins with having a positive attitude.

The new study, conducted by Belinda Campos of the University of Southern California, published May, concludes, "A genuine smile is seen as a reliable sign of affiliation and willingness to cooperate with others." However, the study also concludes that if a fake smile is perceived, trust is lost.

How Can A Smile Be Confident?

An honest smile begins with the right attitude. Are you willing to cooperate with the person you're interacting with? If not, your smiling will probably lack confidence. Hence, it truly begins with how you feel in any given situation. So, make sure to keep a positive vibe going into new social situations.

An honest smile also begins with self-esteem. Regular visits to the orthodontist and biannual teeth cleanings help patients feel better about themselves; living a healthy lifestyle and spending time around loved ones also boosts confidence. In other words, just treating yourself right goes a long way in how you intrinsically present yourself to others.

Rule of Thumb: A Smile Is an Icebreaker

Making eye contact with the person you're meeting leaves strong impressions no matter how well you know the person. Try it out yourself the next time you meet someone. Take a second to study their face, their smile, and make strong eye contact with them. Is this someone you're willing to cooperate with? According to the study, determining whether you want to affiliate with this person during this brief moment can also determine the kind of relationship you will have moving forward. Just be sure to own the moment and give them a big smile!

Keep Smiling in Fredericksburg!

Beecroft Orthodontics - 10472 Georgetown Dr, Fredericksburg, VA22553 Phone: 540 898 2200

An Honest Smile Is an Icebreaker

If You Smile When No One Else Is Around, You Really Mean It - Andy Rooney

Andy Rooney notes, "If you smile when no one else is around, you really mean it." Whether you're concerned that your own smile has been fading away lately because you're ashamed of your teeth or worried that your kids will be ashamed of theirs as they get older, getting appropriate orthodontic care is a critical part of realigning your smile and giving you that bright, gorgeous expression of joy you've always wanted.

There are plenty of opportunities to smile throughout the day, from small moments of joy when no one else is watching to those incredible moments when you're surrounded by the people you love the most. It's time to make sure that your smile and the smiles of your loved ones are able to shine out whenever you like, without holding back for cosmetic reasons.

Smile like You Mean It without Holding Back

Smile as much as you can in Stafford as you work with a talented orthodontist to realign your smile. You know that you need to visit and orthodontist in Stafford for bite or comfort reasons, but how long have you been putting off orthodontics that will restore the natural beauty of your smile? It's time to stop putting it off. Pay a visit to Beecroft Orthodontics or get in touch with them to set up an appointment today. You'll be amazed by just how much more beautiful your smile can become.

Keep Your Kids Smiling for Years

Middle and high school are hard. Those are the years when kids learn to hide their smile, tucking it away for private moments because they're ashamed of what they see in the mirror. Give them a reason to smile that will last for a lifetime. It's time to visit the orthodontist - and it's a trip that's well worth the effort.

Beecroft Orthodontics - 10472 Georgetown Dr, Fredericksburg, VA22553 Phone: 540 898 2200

If You Smile When No One Else Is Around, You Really Mean It - Andy Rooney

Can You Still Get Braces If You Have Fillings?

Worried That A Brilliant Smile Is Out Of Reach?

Braces are a great way to correct imperfections to your smile that might hold you back in various ways. These might not be just cosmetic, as braces are effective tools to deal with a multitude of orthodontic problems, ranging from jaw misalignment to incorrect bites. Unfortunately, the common understanding of braces is that there's a small window as a teen or younger child to get them done, and after that, they simply aren't a realistic option. Fortunately, that's not correct, and the fact is that adult orthodontics are becoming more and more common every year. With the advances in corrective apparatuses, there's never been a better time to consider braces, no matter your age.

Making Informed Decisions

You might ask yourself if you can you still get braces if you have fillings or other prior dental work. The great news is that you can - previous dental work shouldn't exclude you from getting high-quality braces, no matter what your needs are. In addition, braces are capable of correcting such a broad range of conditions that it is uncommon that they cannot be used as a solution for various jaw or tooth alignment problems. Going into your orthodontist's office ready to discuss your concerns is the key to being confident that your treatment can be successful. Your orthodontist will listen to your concerns and help you understand your options and how best to treat you, taking into consideration any aesthetic or comfort worries you may have. The more you understand about it, the better you'll feel about your treatment.

Understanding Your Options

Gone are the days of the extensive, uncomfortable hardware that plagued the nightmares of teenagers since the dawn of corrective braces. We now have options that include comfort and aesthetics on the list of treatment concerns, rather than simply correcting the problem itself. Old metal braces used to be pokey, uncomfortable, and garish, with wires that were difficult to deal with when eating or brushing. Modern metal braces are far more contained, petite, and easy to work around! In addition to traditional metal braces, there are choices that align teeth through progressive inserts, and even braces that go behind teeth. Both of these choices are designed with comfort and appearance in mind, and have pros and cons of their own.

Traditional Braces

These are what you probably think of when you think of braces. They are small metal or ceramic nodes affixed to the front of each tooth. Anchored on your back molars are fixtures that a wire is attached to, and ran through each of the nodes. At each appointment, your orthodontist tightens this wire, drawing your teeth closer together and aligning your bite until you have a straight, gorgeous smile. Though these are usually the cheapest braces, at least at base pricing, they are incredibly effective and are the most common method of correction. That said, they can be uncomfortable, and make brushing your teeth more of a chore. Beyond that, there are certain foods like caramels or popcorn for instance, that you shouldn't eat with these types of braces. The cons to these are largely minor inconveniences (unless you really, really like popcorn), which is fortunate.

Besides Straight Teeth, What are the Benefits of Braces?

Pros

• Often the cheapest option

• Very effective

Cons

• Can be uncomfortable

• Difficult to clean versus no braces or other types of braces

• Each adjustment requires an in-office visit to your orthodontist.

Invisalign

Invisalign is a brand of clear inserts that slip over your teeth and slowly guide them to where you and your orthodontist want them to be. They're nearly invisible and hardly noticeable, offering fantastic solutions to people who need correction with braces but don't want a significant affectation to their appearance. Invisalign is more often than not more expensive on the front end. Your orthodontist will provide you with a new insert tray on a fixed schedule, until your teeth are perfect.

Pros

• Nearly invisible

• Comfortable

• You can pop out the tray to brush and eat as you would normally.

Cons

• Can be more expensive

• Talking and playing instruments with the trays in can require some adjustment.

Lingual Braces

Lingual braces are like traditional braces, only flipped. They go behind your teeth, making them completely unnoticeable except on close inspection. Lingual braces are very similar in function and comfort as traditional braces, but the major plus is that they don't affect your appearance. They work the same way as traditional braces, with office visits required to tighten and align the teeth.

Pros

• Discreet and don't affecting eating or talking to the degree of traditional braces

• Even more invisible than Invisalign

• Can perform corrective adjustment in a shorter time than the other brace options, in some cases

Cons

• Have the same comfort issues as traditional

• Require more effort to clean than Invisalign

• Require in-office visits to tighten and maintain

If you're ready to get started on your path to a beautiful smile and you're looking to get braces in Stafford, then give

Beecroft Orthodontics a call. Dr. Matt Beecroft and his staff are professional, highly skilled, and dedicated to your orthodontic needs. Dr. Beecroft's own experience with his father getting braces at the age of 59 is the undercurrent of everything he does, knowing that a healthy smile can provide such confidence to his patients. If you're looking in Stafford for orthodontic treatment, the caring, understanding staff at Beecroft will help you understand your options and come up with a treatment plan that fits your lifestyle, budget, and desired outcome. Check out their website and schedule a consultation today!

Beecroft Orthodontics - 10472 Georgetown Dr, Fredericksburg, VA22553 Phone: 540 898 2200

Can You Still Get Braces If You Have Fillings?