Having a straighter, whiter smile is an important attribute in today’s image conscious, competitive world. As much as we hate to admit it, the way we look and dress can dramatically impact just about everything, from our career to our friendships and relationships with others.
Here are a few reasons and examples of why the color and alignment of your teeth is something you ask about at your next trip to the dentist:
People With Whiter, Attractive Smiles Get Paid More
Actual experiments have been done to show how (or if) a person’s smile can impact things like a job interview or getting a job promotion. Believe it or not, it does.
Not only do people with more attractive smiles have a better shot at getting hired for the job, but they are usually offered a higher pay rate than people who don’t have nearly as nice looking of teeth.
Why is this so? According to a recent study by Kelton Research:
In the study, respondents were shown images of people with varying tooth issues and asked to give their honest opinion about them, unaware that they were comparing people with straight teeth to crooked teeth.
Results of the study indicated Americans perceive people with straight teeth to have more desirable qualities than those with crooked teeth, including attributes such as being happy, surrounded by loved ones, and professionally successful.
It turns out that investing in a whiter, straighter smile may be just the thing you need to get that raise you deserve!
Your Smile Really Does Make the First Impression
Remember the saying, “Your smile is one of the first things people notice?” It still holds true. A person’s smile is one of the most remembered attributes after having met someone for the first time.
If, when meeting someone new, you’re embarrassed about your teeth and are trying to hide from smiling, it can make you come off as a bit unfriendly…even if that’s not at all the case.
In contrast, a bright and confident smile makes a better impression from the very first start. You will generally be perceived as more happy, intelligent, and trustworthy.
After all, you only get a single shot at making an outstanding first impression, so it’s wise to invest in your smile.
A Brighter Smile Can Boost Your Self-Confidence
Researchers have studied things like tooth alignment and enamel color in young adults and teens, who we know are very sensitive to things, as their self-esteem and confidence is beginning to really develop.
Their results weren’t surprising: teens with stained, crowded, and generally unpleasing smiles were usually less confident, shy, and more embarrassed about the way they look.
The teenage years are some of the most impressionable. Experiences during this time in people’s lives can have a huge, life altering impact (for better or worse). An bright, orthodontically aligned smile can have a life-long, positive effect on a young adult’s life.
Whiter Smiles Help You Keep Your Teeth Healthier
Having whiter teeth doesn’t actually improve your dental health, but likely will transform the way you care for your smile and overall oral health. Once you’ve invested the time and energy into improving your smile’s cosmetic appearance, you will be much more motivated to keep it that way.
Doing so means staying on top of your home care by brushing and flossing regularly, visiting the dentist semi annually or more for a hygiene appointment, and keeping up on any take-home whitening treatments.
With regards to whitening, people often will choose to do the professional in-office whitening initially for more instantaneous results, and then use the dentist dispensed take-home whitening to maintain or expand on whatever shade the in-office treatment yields.
Unlike over the counter kits, the prescription grade gels used in our office can give you faster, more consistent results in far less time. Generally, utilizing both treatments will get the best results for a brighter, whiter smile.
Smiling More for a Longer, Healthier Life
Feeling good about your teeth means you’ll smile more often, and researchers have proven that people who smile more frequently generally live longer, happier lives.
In 2010, Wayne State University conducted a research project on Major League baseball players’ smiles on their baseball cards in 1952. Players who smiled in their photos lived on average 7 years longer!
Smiling more often has also been linked to lower heart rate, reduction of stress and anxiety, increased release of endorphins, strengthening immune system, and much more!
If you or someone you know is looking for a brighter, whiter smile, or has misaligned teeth that he/she wants corrected, please call Monrovia Family Dentistry for an initial appointment and consultation!