Did you know that your smile is one of the first things people notice about you? It’s also the feature they most easily remember. Therefore, your smile can have a bigger impact on your professional success than you might think! If you have a healthy smile that stands out even when you’re not in the room, it can help you land a promotion, motivate others on the job, and even negotiate a better salary, according to studies. So what happens when you’re struggling with crooked teeth, a bad bite, or other orthodontic issues? Does your smile leave a lasting impression?
Here at Bowen Family Orthodontics, we want all of our patients to live up to their fullest potential! Feeling self-conscious about the appearance or functionality of your smile can hold you back, but our treatment options can help you put your best professional foot forward. Let’s explore a little more about why smiles matter when it comes to a successful career and what we can do to help you achieve yours!
Set the tone with a smile
A genuine smile helps put others at ease, and can also make you appear friendlier. This is something potential employers pay attention to. When you attend a job interview, for instance, your credentials are only part of what the interviewer will be taking into consideration. If you come across as stiff, unfriendly, or lacking the ability to connect with others, it could hurt your chances of being offered the position or promotion you desire. Successful companies don’t just want a candidate who is qualified on paper, they also want someone who will contribute to a positive work environment by building a rapport with coworkers and clients.
The Halo Effect
Researcher Edward Thorndike coined the term “halo effect” in 1920 to describe the way our brains attach positive qualities to a person once we see just one positive quality. We extrapolate information about a person based on our own perception of them, and while it may not be a particularly fair way to process new people we meet, it certainly highlights just how significant first impressions can be!
One trait that’s been proven to get the halo effect going is an attractive smile. According to studies, people who have a bright, beautiful smile are naturally seen as being smarter, wittier, more successful and hardworking, and more trustworthy than someone who doesn’t smile often or struggles with oral health. Have you been trying to get your foot in the door or close out a big deal? Your smile could kick off the halo effect in a way that will serve you well.
Smile and the world smiles with you
Humans mimic facial expressions, even when we don’t realize we’re doing it. This can trigger a similar emotional state and briefly boost our mood. It also allows us to understand the person whom we are communicating with and respond appropriately – which is why we tend to smile back when someone smiles at us. It turns out that smiling really is contagious!
A bright, healthy smile may also signal to potential employers that you could be a positive influence on those around you. A study was performed by scientists at the University of Kansas, where 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 showed more resistance to stress. They also reported feeling more positive overall than those who were told to keep a straight face, proving the power in a smile! A big smile is attractive to employers and coworkers alike, and that can lead to some real advantages in the workplace.
A similar Yale University study attempted to show this by dividing volunteers into small groups and assigning specific tasks. One team member was secretly instructed to act upbeat upon entering the room. When that person came in with a smile on their face and a positive attitude, the mood in the room lifted almost immediately! The study also found that each individual’s performance improved and the group itself was more likely to achieve the goal it had been given.
Increase your self-esteem
It’s hard to step out of your comfort zone and take risks when you don’t feel confident in every part of yourself. Yet, that’s what you need for true success! If you’re happy with your appearance you’re likely to feel better about yourself, and having a smile you love can really boost your self-confidence.
Align, the creators of Invisalign found that almost 80% of adults who underwent orthodontic treatment said that having a healthier smile gave them the confidence to do something they never would have considered doing before. That number is certainly impressive!
Find the secret to a successful smile at Bowen Family Orthodontics
Appearance plays an important role in how we feel about ourselves and how others perceive us. It can influence our overall hireability, too! At Bowen Family Orthodontics, we can help you achieve a beautiful smile that feels great and looks amazing thanks to a variety of treatment options. These range from traditional metal braces to the innovative Invisalign system. Thanks to modern orthodontic technology, these treatments are more comfortable and discreet than ever before, which our adult patients love!
Speaking of adult patients, healthy teeth can be moved at any age, and current treatment options make it easy to get the smile you’ve always wanted. While correcting orthodontic issues will improve your oral health, don’t underestimate the importance of improved self-confidence, too! Smiling has been linked to better moods, greater positivity, and being able to connect with others more easily. It’s also shown to reduce stress levels, something most of us can appreciate in this hectic day and age.
Finally, a beautiful smile can increase your self-esteem, help you make a positive first impression, and even give you the edge you need to achieve the career goals you’ve set for yourself. If you’d like to learn more about how we can give you a smile that will help you get ahead, contact our office today to schedule your free consultation!