Cosmetic procedures are traditionally associated with upper class, middle-aged women. Yet, more and more men and young adults are seeking out these procedures. Here is a look at why these two groups are increasingly turning to cosmetic procedures, and how cosmetic dentistry fits into this changing trend.
Men
Women are much more likely than men to undergo cosmetic procedures. Yet, in 2014, the number of men reporting cosmetic procedures had increased three times the amount reported fifteen years prior.
Men are seeking out cosmetic procedures for various reasons. For example, men are retiring much later in life, but they still feel pressured to look physically better in their careers. Men are also showing more interest in preventative aging techniques, including cosmetic procedures. For men, cosmetic procedures have more to do with flaw fixing than maintenance, which is what women report as their cosmetic procedure motivation.
Americans associate good teeth with career success and overall attractiveness. Thus, it is no wonder why more and more men are turning to cosmetic procedures, including cosmetic dentistry, in an effort to improve their appearance.
Young Adults
The male population is not the only demographic rising in cosmetic procedure participation. In 1997, the majority of cosmetic procedure patients were between the ages of 35 and 50 years old. In the past few years, however, a surge of Americans under the age of 30 have sought out cosmetic procedures.
The rise of "selfie" photographs has significantly influenced this trend. More and more young adults are unhappy with how they look in their selfie pictures, which are posted online and used to solicit attention and compliments. Social media has made it easier for young adults to compare themselves to others, and many of these online users base their self worth on their online presence.
As a result, cosmetic dentists are seeing an increase in younger patients wanting everything from braces to whitenings to fillings. Young adults want to look attractive in their online photos, and straight, white teeth are a part of that equation.
What Does it All Mean?
The demographics of cosmetic procedure patients are changing, but this is not necessarily a bad thing. Cosmetic dentists screen patients prior to these procedures, and if a cosmetic dentist feels strongly that a patient is pursuing a procedure for the wrong reasons, the patient can be denied. Deeper psychological issues are often beneath the desire for cosmetic procedures, and these procedures will not guarantee satisfaction or address the underlying issue.
On the other hand, cosmetic dentistry can improve a patient's appearance without the invasive aspect associated with other cosmetic surgeries. In many cases, cosmetic dentistry procedures are more than just aesthetically beneficial; some procedures, like braces, can even positively impact a person's health.
Cosmetic procedures may be more widespread these days, but cosmetic dentistry offers interested patients a way to improve their appearances without undergoing more invasive procedures.
For more information, contact Bellasera Family Dentistry or a similar location.
Share13 May 2015
Do you have "bad teeth"? I do. Ever since I was a kid, every checkup turns up a number of issues ranging from cavities to dental fractures. It has always been frustrating to keep my smile in decent shape, which is one of the reasons I started focusing on understanding different dental problems. I wanted to know what I was getting into when I visited the doctor, so I began focusing on learning as much as I could. I wanted to create this blog all about dentistry so that other people could find out what to expect when they head to the dentist. Check it out!
