Pause for a moment and consider how many people you interact with on a daily basis. It’s probably a lot more than you realize once you add your coworkers, family members, restaurant servers, passersby, and more to the mix.

There is a lot of observation happening even when passing someone on the street, and one of the physical traits you’re bound to notice about someone (and they’re sure to notice about you) is their teeth.

Whether they have the bright white shine of a movie star or the tendency to obscure their mouth when they talk or laugh, you’ll be aware. After all, we look to faces—especially the mouth—to help us read emotions and communicate effectively.

If you find yourself a bit embarrassed to flash your smile or interact with your crush because of your teeth, you need to read the following benefits of whitening your teeth. We’re not exaggerating when we say it can change your life!

Improve Your Appearance and Boost Your Confidence

There’s no hiding the fact that bright white teeth are aesthetically pleasing. There’s a reason you never see anything but the best smiles on billboards or in commercials. Opting to have your teeth whitened can improve your appearance immediately.

Hand-in-hand with this visual improvement is your self-confidence. If you are embarrassed by your teeth, it can negatively impact your quality of life. From turning down a date to hiding your laughter when you’re with friends, feeling self-conscious is no way to go through life. When you choose to whiten your teeth, you may just unlock confidence that can change your life for the better!

Remove Stubborn Stains

Whether it’s your daily cup (or five) of coffee or a cigarette habit you just can’t kick, lifestyle choices can stain your teeth, especially over time. No matter how proactive your dental care routine may be, certain stains are simply too persistent to get rid of on your own.

While such stains may not be severe enough to bother some people, others develop significant yellowing that can be detrimental to their confidence and social lives. In cases like these, it’s highly recommended that you receive whitening treatments.

Depending on how discolored your teeth are, whitening could be divided over multiple sessions and take several weeks. The results will be well worth the commitment, though!

Stay on Budget

If you’re looking to improve your appearance and boost your self-confidence on a budget, it doesn’t get much better than teeth whitening. With professional and stay-at-home options available, you can choose the best route for you, your unique circumstances, and your budget.

By remaining proactive and using the appropriate touch-up kits after a whitening treatment, you can ensure that your new pearly whites stay that way for quite some time. Teeth whitening is truly one of the best bang-for-your-buck appearance enhancers available today!