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Getting Divorced? Invest in Your Smile

If you're entering the dating world again, your smile should be one of your first priorities.

woman smiling after meeting with a cosmetic dentist
woman smiling after meeting with a cosmetic dentist (Svyatoslav Lypynskyy - stock.adobe.com)

Are you older than 50 years of age and getting a divorce? You’re far from alone. Since 1990, the “gray divorce” rate for American adults in this age range has doubled, and we have no reason to believe it’s any different for those in San Antonio. That means there are thousands of older adults coming back on the dating market.

As a result, in recent years, we’ve seen a rise in divorced Baby Boomers who have chosen to have cosmetic work done before starting to date again. Although some of these procedures do involve breast augmentation, liposuction, and other major changes, recent divorcees may want to focus on enhancing one simple thing about their appearance—their smile.

Why the Smile Matters

One of the first things someone new notices about you is your smile. A quick first impression can either draw in interest or deter it, especially since online dating sites and dating apps seem to be the preferred way to meet new people these days.

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In fact, between 2013 and 2015, the number of people aged 55 to 64 who used these dating resources doubled. With countless opportunities to take selfies and use smartphones for chatting, it’s worth making sure that your face is ready for dating re-entry. After all, you want to put your best self out there for potential dating prospects to see.

Ways to Get Your Smile Ready

You want to have a beautiful, attractive smile, but where should you start? With so many aspects of a smile to consider (your eyes, skin, teeth, etc.), here are just some of the things you can do to make your outward appearance reflect the inside.

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Facelift

Does your face show your age? Whether through a double chin, sagging skin, marionette lines, or jowls, little details in your face can make you look older. Luckily, treatment can range from minimally invasive Botox injections to surgery depending on your goals, and small, simple changes can often make a huge difference, taking years off your appearance.

Eyelid Surgery

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, in 2009, eyelid surgery was among the top five surgical procedures for both women and men, and it’s not difficult to see why. Over the years, the area around the eyes can show wear and tear with wrinkles, drooping eyelids, and more. In fact, studies have shown that those with dark circles under the eyes and hanging eyelids, common signs of sleep deprivation as well as aging, are considered less healthy and less attractive than those without these features. As a result, you can consider this procedure before you snap your first dating profile photo.

Teeth Whitening

Enhancing your smile doesn’t have to include long, invasive procedures. For example, simply brightening the color of your teeth can make your smile look years younger with very little effort. However, you likely won’t get the dramatic results you’re looking from solutions in a store, which at most whitens teeth by a few shades. In contrast, professional-grade whitening treatments can make between six and ten shades of difference. Depending on what services your dentist in San Antonio offers, you can opt for professional teeth whitening in the office in just one appointment or at home over the course of two weeks.

Porcelain Veneers

If you’ve ever admired a celebrity’s perfect smile, you’ve likely seen porcelain veneers in action. In fact, this treatment has been used by Emma Watson, Tom Cruise, Zac Efron, and many more in Hollywood. As thin, ceramic shells that closely resemble natural tooth enamel, porcelain veneers can be applied to the front of your teeth to hide distracting imperfections, including chips, stubborn stains, gaps between teeth, misshapen teeth, and even slight misalignment.

Does your smile communicate confidence? Are you ready to find that special someone? Returning to dating doesn’t have to feel so intimidating or require invasive procedures. With these small improvements, you can have that extra boost to put yourself back out there!

About the Author

Dr. Christopher Holland is a well-known cosmetic dentist in San Antonio and is part of an experienced team at New Image Dentistry, which is located adjacent to New Image Plastic Surgery with Dr. Dallas Homas. Dr. Holland and his colleagues offer teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, and other cosmetic dental procedures that can revitalize the appearance of your smile at any age. If you would like to learn more about cosmetic dental procedures, you can contact Dr. Holland by clicking here.

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

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