Over the years, there have been a number of studies conducted to show the various ways you can leave a lasting impression with a beautiful smile. This, in part, is due to your smile being the first thing most people notice about you. It’s also the feature they’re most likely to remember when attempting to recall your face. Standing out from the crowd thanks to a healthy smile can take you a long way in the work world, but what happens if you’re struggling with crooked teeth, misalignment, or other orthodontic issues?
It can be frustrating to feel that your oral health may be what’s holding you back from achieving your true potential. If you’re self-conscious about the state of your smile, Brodsky Orthodontics can help! We offer a variety of affordable treatment options to successfully correct a wide range of orthodontic problems. Let’s talk about what it is that makes smiles so important, and how our talented team can help you put your best foot forward in your personal and professional life!
Smile and the world smiles with you
Humans naturally mimic facial expressions, which allows us to understand the person we’re communicating with and respond appropriately. This can also trigger a similar emotional state in those around us and even briefly boost our mood if we’re mirroring a positive expression. It turns out that smiling really is contagious!
A bright, healthy smile can send a signal to potential employers that you may be a positive influence to people around you. Yale University actually set out to demonstrate this in a study by dividing volunteers into small groups and assigning specific tasks. One team member was secretly instructed to act upbeat as they entered the room, and when they came in with a smile on their face, the mood in the room noticeably lifted! This study also found that each individual’s performance improved and the group itself was more likely to achieve its goal.
A similar study was undertaken by scientists at the University of Kansas. Subjects were given stressful tasks to complete. Some participants were asked to smile during these tasks while others were told to maintain a straight face. Researchers measured the heart rates of the participants and the subjects were asked to self-report their stress levels as they performed the tasks.
Those who had been told to smile had lower heart rates and their bodies actually showed an increased resistance to stress. They also reported feeling more positive overall than those who were told to keep a straight face. This shows us just how powerful a simple smile can be, and also explains why it’s such an attractive trait when it comes to employees and coworkers.
Tap into the power of the Halo Effect
In the early 1920’s, a researcher by the name of Edward Thorndike coined the term “halo effect” as a way to describe how our brains attribute multiple positive qualities to a person based on us noticing just one positive quality. Put simply, we tend to make up information about a person based on our own perception of them. While this may not be the best way to process the new people we meet, it certainly highlights just how important first impressions can be!
One trait that’s been proven to get the halo effect going is an attractive smile. A number of studies have shown that people with a winning smile are often seen by their peers to be smarter, more successful, and even more trustworthy than someone who doesn’t smile often. Orthodontic treatment with Brodsky Orthodontics could give your smile the boost it needs to help you get your foot in the door of your dream job and even more!
Set the tone with a genuine smile
A genuine smile helps to set the tone in any situation and, if you’re confident in your own smile, potential employers will really take notice. When you attend a job interview, your credentials are only part of what the interviewer will be looking for. Even if you’re qualified in every other way, coming across as stiff or unfriendly could actually hurt your chances of being offered the position or promotion you desire. Successful companies don’t just want a candidate who looks good on paper— they’re also looking for someone who will contribute to a positive work environment.
Be a risk taker
If you’re self-conscious about your smile, you may not have the confidence to step outside your comfort zone and take risks. However, this is often exactly what’s required to achieve real success! Feeling happy with your appearance can make you feel better about your life in general and having a smile you love can be a big part of that. In fact, Invisalign conducted a survey on this very subject and found that almost 80% of adults who underwent orthodontic treatment said having a healthier smile gave them the confidence to do something they never would have considered doing before. That’s pretty inspiring stuff!
Get a confident smile with Brodsky Orthodontics
There’s no denying our appearance often plays an important role in how we feel about ourselves and affects how others perceive us as well. With years of education, training, and experience, our doctors are the perfect choice to help you achieve a beautiful, confident smile. Our talented team works hard to give every patient a stress-free orthodontic experience and you can always trust us to provide world-class care and customer service!
Smiling has been linked to better moods, greater positivity, and the ability to connect with others more easily. It also helps to reduce stress levels and increases your chances of making a positive first impression. It can even give you the edge you need to achieve your career goals! If you’re in Lakewood or the surrounding communities and would like to learn more about how we can transform your smile, get in touch today to schedule your FREE consultation with Brodsky Orthodontics.