Category: Blog

Self-esteem is a hugely important issue for everyone. Self-esteem is what makes you feel like you are worthy, accepted, and cared about. A simple way to make others self-esteem rise is to simply smile at the them when you see them. A warm, genuine smile lets the person know that you think they are likeable, pleasing, and safe to be around. It lets them know that you approve of their behavior, demeanor, and presence. It shows a need that you genuinely care for them, and want them to be there with you.

Smiles are powerful enough to start friendships, spark marital relationships, and let people you work with know that you care about them and are open to hearing about their personal lives as well as what they need to do the best job they can at work. Smiling ignites positive attitudes wherever you go, and lets people know you are a people person and that you care about them as individuals.

Smiling lets those around you know that you are pleasant, caring, kind, and approachable. It tells them that you are on their side, and that you genuinely care about them not only as workers or peers, but as a person as well. On the other hand, acting down, glum, and negative can have the opposite impact on people. It can leave people thinking, “What did I do that made that person upset?” or “How did I displease them?” even if they really did nothing wrong. Our moods and emotions rub off on people in many different ways, and oftentimes it starts with just a simple smile (or frown) that can set the tone for how we relate to those people around us.

Ultimately, smiling at others is the best way to go. It not only makes others feel you are approachable and that you are “on their side”, but it also can raise your own personal self-esteem as well. It makes you feel better, it brightens your mood, and it lets others know you care about them. So, the next time you see someone out in public smile and let them know that you are open, friendly, polite, and caring. That will lead to more people coming to you when they need something knowing you are there to help!

If you have any questions regarding this article contact us or call 909-465-1016.

The Ramona Dentistry Team

“Where Family Comes First”

Smiles are a universal symbol of happiness. Smiles change based on the social context in which we use them. Smiles tell a lot more about you than you and many other people may realize, including the following:

1. Will Your Marriage Last? – People who smile more freely are less likely to experience a divorce, and if they do experience divorce its likely to be at an older age after the marriage has survived longer. Looking at old photos and seeing how often someone smiles and how natural or forced the smile is can tell this about a person. This study is based on people who smile more being more free and “happy-go-lucky” in attitude versus a person who is usually forced to smile. Odds are the happier person is easier to get along with, and can keep a marriage together longer than someone who is more serious and rigid in personality.
2. How Fertile Are You? –  A smile reveals your overall health and well-being. For women, this can even reveal their level of fertility. Women with gum disease on average take 2 months longer to conceive than women who do not have gum disease. Gum disease can also predict the risk of future conditions like Type 2 Diabetes, respiratory issues, and even kidney disease. The link here is due to the increased inflammation in the body.
3. How Much Earning Power Do You Have? – A teenager’s grin can determine how much they earn as an adult. Happy teens tend to earn about 10% more than their average peer the same age, and depressed teens can earn up to 30% less than their average peers at the same age. Happiness is believed to be linked to less stress and worries that allow people to focus on their on-job tasks more, and to help boost their productivity in the workplace
4. How Powerful Are You? – Smiles signal social status as well as power in a social situation as people without power smiled regardless of emotions. Studies show that people in higher positions of power only smile when their emotions genuinely make them happy. Powerful people are afforded the privilege of showing their real emotions, where people in lower positions feel they must appear happy regardless of how they really feel.
5. How Good a Fighter Are You? – The link between smile and power hold physical meaning. Studies show that professional mixed martial artists who smiled in their photos the day before a competition were more likely to lose than those who put on an intimidating face. Fighting is about dominance and many experts suggest the smile meant that the person may not be as aggressive and hostile as they would like to be seen as. Therefore, they are not likely to fight as well as someone who comes off as hostile and aggressive to others in appearance.

If you have questions regarding this article contact us or call us 909-465-1016.

The Ramona Dentistry Family

“Where Family Comes First”

Replacing teeth has become a much easier task in the last 30 years. Loose or missing teeth can often cause infections in the mouth. When looking to replace lost teeth, your options are generally pretty limited to either bridges or implants to replace a lost tooth or lost teeth. There are situations when both have their merits. Usually implants are the better option, but it depends on the specific situation you are in. Implants are generally more durable and last a lot longer many times that means the lifetime of the person getting the implant. Bridges, however, generally required placement about every 10 years or so. However, in situations where the teeth around the teeth around the missing tooth/teeth are compromised, sometimes implants are not a feasible option. This includes when surrounding teeth have fillings, crowns, caps, or other dental work already done to them. Then, in those cases, bridges are generally your better bet. This is also the case when the tooth/teeth have been missing a long time and the gum tissue and bone around the teeth have receded far enough that there is not sufficient support to hold an implant in properly.

Implants are also easier to clean whereas bridges require extra care and cleaning each day to keep them from becoming infected as they are glued or cemented into the mouth. Bridges also must consist of at least three (3) crowns connected together to help bridge the gap between the teeth, making bridges much more complex to insert than implants. Flossing is also needed under the bridge to make sure that the food particles are kept out, and risks of infection are kept down. Implants are easier to care for as they are just brushed and flossed as normal with no extra care needed over that of a regular tooth.

Implants tend to be more durable and last a lifetime, whereas bridges need replaced every 10 years or so. Implants haves a cylinder made of titanium and those can fuse together with the bone to help keep the teeth in place better. The implant however must usually wait a few weeks or even a couple months after a tooth extraction to be put into place to allow proper time for the gums and the surrounding bone structure to heal. However, these implants must be inserted before the gum tissue and the bone structure around the tooth begin to decay or the tooth won’t be held in place properly. After the implant is put in, it generally takes at least 3-6 months for the titanium cylinder the tooth implant is in to fuse together with the gum line and allow the tooth to grow more naturally into its socket. Bridges, however, are just placed over part of the remaining healthy tooth and that tooth is then more subject to decay and gum disease as it is covered by the insert.

Oftentimes, implants provide the most pleasing aesthetic look, but results will vary based on the condition you have. Talk to your dentist about the way to get the most pleasing results for your situation.

Bridges are often initially cheaper than an implant, however if it has to be replaced multiple times, then the implant may well end up being cheaper in the end as they are generally permanent and last a person’s lifetime. The good news is that no matter which path you choose, implants or bridges, most insurance companies will help cover at least part of or a majority of the costs before you are required to pay out of pocket. Implants are also more attractive as they are usually allowed to be paid for in increments rather than all up front. This is great for anyone on a budget who can’t pay all at one time. Dental implants overall tend to be the best option, but both implants and bridges have their merits at certain times. Your dentist knows your mouth best, so consult them before making a final choice on which options fits you and your personal needs the best.

If you have questions regarding this article contact us or call 909-465-1016.

The Ramona Dentistry Team

“Where Family Comes First”