Unfortunately, many teenagers globally suffer from dental disorders such as crooked, protruding, or misaligned teeth, which can contribute to feelings of unattractiveness to others and a drop in self-esteem. This may quickly become an endless cycle since smiling helps you feel better about yourself, and if you’re self-conscious about your teeth, you won’t want to flaunt them with a bright smile.

Self-Confidence and a Teenager’s Smile

Hormones take hold of the teenager throughout the transition from childhood to adulthood, causing stronger moods and emotions, which frequently result in low self-esteem and increased awareness of peer pressure. These mood swings are produced by variations in the hormones testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone.

Maintaining a sense of self-esteem during this surge and dip in hormonal levels can be difficult, but it is essential for a healthy transition into adulthood, and the confidence to flash a winning smile during social interaction plays an important role in progressing toward adult maturity. Teens who lack self-confidence amid the emotional upheaval of adolescence are more vulnerable to their friends’ negative influences and are more prone to develop depression.

Adolescents are inherently self-conscious and suspect that everyone is observing them. Researchers at Harvard University revealed that teens are more ashamed than younger children or adults when they suspect they are being watched. According to a 2013 study published in Psychological Science, self-conscious emotion peaked throughout adolescence in reaction to external appraisal.

The bright smile that comes with healthy teeth isn’t the only element that influences a teen’s confidence, but there’s plenty of evidence to show it plays an important part. It all comes down to the fact that if you believe you look good, you will feel good, and teenagers in this frame of mind are more likely to be confident in learning from new experiences while being less likely to succumb to negative peer pressure.

Restoring Your Teenagers Smile With Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry has changed the way individuals view their teeth. A cosmetic dentist may now change and improve the appearance of teeth more than ever before, giving you the perfect smile you’ve always desired. 

Most people should not be surprised that appearance-conscious teenagers would quickly adopt this practice. More teenagers are increasingly seeing cosmetic dentistry procedures, such as teeth whitening, as a quick and simple solution to enhance their smile.

It is crucial to note that, while many cosmetic dental procedures pose low risks to adults, teenagers may be at a higher risk for some issues and may require additional age-specific considerations.

Teeth whitening

Tooth whitening is a common cosmetic dentistry practice. In addition to professional in-chair whitening, most drugstores have an almost endless selection of over-the-counter teeth whitening treatments.

If your adolescent is thinking about getting teeth whitening, they should consult with their dentist about which products are appropriate for them. If your teen decides to use an at-home teeth whitening device, a dentist may also guarantee that they are adequately trained on how to use it.

It is suggested that teenagers only undergo whitening procedures when all of their permanent teeth have fully grown. If teeth have not entirely erupted from the gum line, whitening may result in a two-tone appearance once they are fully revealed.

Dentists recommends that teenagers refrain from using tooth whitening procedures until they are at least 14 years old. By that time, their teeth’s pulp will be fully grown, making them less sensitive.

The whitening process goes as follows:

At your dentist: Your dentist will use a whitening gel on your teeth. Concentrated hydrogen peroxide solutions in water can also be employed. Some dentists will employ light to speed up and improve the efficacy of the bleach. The operation may last between 30 and 60 minutes.

At home:  Whitening strips are placed on the teeth for a set period, usually days or weeks. The length of time to leave them on and the frequency with which they should be applied vary per product. Whitening gels are also available on the market; they can be painted on the teeth or administered with a particular tray. Look for whitening products certified by the American Dental Association (ADA).

Toothpaste: Teeth whitening toothpaste is also available; however, these preparations contain abrasive ingredients that help remove surface stains. Some whitening toothpastes include small amounts of peroxide.

Veneers

Veneers are another popular cosmetic dental trend among teenagers. Veneers are tiny pieces of porcelain that are sculpted and pigmented to resemble natural teeth. Dentists connect them to existing teeth, giving patients the natural-looking grin they have always desired. 

Some teenagers are increasingly choosing veneers rather than the traditional orthodontic course, which entails years of tooth braces and retainers. An orthodontist or dentist who specializes in braces may advise your adolescents on whether dental braces or veneers are the best option for them.

Though veneers often involve relatively little drilling on existing teeth, when a teen decides to have them, it usually means that they will have to wear them for the rest of their lives. Veneers are highly durable, however, they may require replacement or restoration as they degrade.

Some dentists are concerned that youth who choose veneers may be more likely to have dental troubles later in life since existing tooth problems will be covered up rather than corrected.

Bonding

Dental bonding is a non-invasive process that may transform the look of a tooth in a single session. The procedure includes adding a resin substance to the native tooth. The material is then molded to obtain the desired appearance and hardened using a specific light.

Dental bonding eliminates the need for the dentist to shave or alter the natural tooth structure. It is a common method for closing gaps in the teeth that impact a teen’s look or altering the form or size of a tooth.

Also read:

How to Help My Teen Without Talk Therapy

Why Group Therapy Helps Troubled Teens

The post How to Build Teen Self-Confidence With A Smile first appeared on Help Your Teens.

There’s no doubt that teen’s with a positive self-worth and self-esteem are more likely to make better choices and less likely to engage in risky behaviors. They also have the confidence to stand with their own decisions rather than following a negative peer group.

Teenagers today are faced with all sorts of peer pressure, not only offline, but with the rise of social media, they are constantly fighting the compare and despair feelings that can come with the false reality of digital lives. Teens that have self-confidence are better able to handle these emotional times, as well as navigate peer pressure and the challenges of dating relationships.

5 Ways to Help Your Teen Build Self-Confidence

If your teen is confident, they’re also more likely to be assertive, positive, engaged, enthusiastic and persistent.

1. Being involved in activities. Encourage your teen to try new opportunities whether it’s volunteering, sports, a musical instrument, choir, dance, clubs (chess, art, school paper, etc)  or even a part-time job. Being involved in a new activity or even mastering it helps give them self-esteem to feel better about themselves. They not only make new positive friendships, it can make them feel more secure and confident.

2. Encourage positive self-talk. How your teen sees themselves can play a major role in how they feel about themselves. If they are always thinking or saying things like, “I’m so fat or ugly,” or “I have no friends,” they’re bound to continue to have these bad feelings. Teach them to develop healthy self-talk by pointing out how many of these thoughts simply aren’t true. Help them realize how being overly harsh with themselves is detrimental — especially when it’s not reality.

3. Teach assertive and social skills. If your teen feels anxious in social situations, they might need some guidance from you. For example, showing interest in other people’s activities and joining in conversations can help build confidence. An assertive teen will be able to ask for help when they don’t understand school work, rather than allow themselves to fall behind. To teach your teen to be assertive, begin by talking about the difference between being assertive and being aggressive. Let them know that being assertive means standing up for themselves using a strong and confident voice without being rude or yelling at other people.

4. Praise their effort, not the outcome. If an exam, interview or sports game doesn’t work out the way your teen hoped, try to praise your child for the effort they put into the activity, rather than the outcome.  Instead of saying, “Great job scoring those five points in the game,” say, “All that practicing you’ve been doing has been paying off.” Show them that it’s important to try hard and it’s OK if they don’t succeed all the time.

5. Model confidence. Do you have self-confidence? It’s important to be a role-model of self-confidence. How do you face new situations and how you self-talk about yourself will extend to your teen. Talk to your teen about the difficult times you’ve been through and what you’ve done to build your own confidence. For example, you might talk about how you’re feeling nervous about giving a presentation at work. You could tell your teen that you’re practicing the presentation at home so that you’ll be well prepared and confident on the day.

Make confidence-building a regular part of parenting — this will help boost your teen’s self-esteem. Encourage them to join new clubs, activities and if they are old enough to get a part-time job — or volunteer, it’s a fantastic way to feel good about themselves. Help them set goals and then be their biggest cheerleader focusing more on their work rather than actual results. You will build their confidence and they will make better choices in life, even if they have a few setbacks. Confidence also builds resilience.

If your teen is still struggling in spite of your efforts with depression or anxiety that may stem from low self-esteem, you may want to talk to your doctor. It’s possible the low self-worth is a result of a mental health issue. With proper treatment, they can help your teen overcome these challenges.

Also read:

How Short Chats Build Strong Relationships

The Goal of Therapeutic Boarding Schools

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Are you struggling with your teenager? Have you exhausted your local resources? Therapy isn’t working? Learn more about the benefits of residential treatment for teen help.

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The post How to Help Your Teen Build Self-Confidence first appeared on Help Your Teens.