Here at Riverview Orthodontics, we’re all about helping patients achieve a beautiful, healthy smile. You may not realize it, but your smile is actually one of the first things people notice about you. It’s also the feature they remember the most, which is just one reason it can have an impact on your career path. When you have a bright, healthy smile, it helps you stand out even when you’re not in the room! That can come in handy when you’re looking to land an interview, motivate others on the job, or even negotiate promotion.
So what happens if crooked teeth, misalignment, or other orthodontic issues are keeping you from reaching your full potential? Feeling self-conscious can hold you back personally and professionally, but orthodontics can help you put your best foot forward whatever the setting! Let’s explore a little more about why smiles matter so much, and what our talented team can do to help you get ahead.
Share a smile, start a trend
Humans are excellent at mimicking facial expressions, and we do it all the time whether we realize it or not. It allows us to understand the person we’re communicating with and respond appropriately. It also triggers a similar emotional state and can even boost our mood briefly if we’re mirroring a positive expression. That’s why smiling is so contagious!
Not only that, but a healthy smile can send a signal to potential employers that you may be a positive influence to people around you. In fact, Yale University 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.
There was another similar study undertaken by scientists at the University of Kansas. Subjects were given stressful tasks to complete, and 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 just goes to show the power a simple smile can have! This is especially attractive to employers and coworkers, which can give you some real advantages in the workplace.
The Halo Effect
Researcher Edward Thorndike came up with the term “halo effect” in the early 1920’s to describe the way our brains attribute multiple positive qualities to a person based on us observing just one positive quality. Put much more simply, we make up information about a person based on our own perception. This may not be an ideal way to process new people we meet, but it certainly highlights just how significant a first impression can be!
One trait that’s been proven to get the halo effect going is an attractive smile. Studies have shown that people with a winning smile are naturally seen as smarter, wittier, and more successful than someone who doesn’t smile often. Many people even believe that those with healthy smiles are more trustworthy than someone who struggles with oral health! If you’ve been trying to get your foot in the door of your dream job, orthodontic treatment with Riverview Orthodontics could give your smile the boost it needs to make you stand out.
Set others at ease with a smile
A genuine smile helps to set the tone in any situation, and gives you an air of friendliness. This is something potential employers will really pay attention to! For example, when you attend a job interview your credentials are only part of what the interviewer looks at. If you seem stiff or unfriendly, it could actually hurt your chances of being offered the position or promotion you desire. That’s because successful companies don’t just want a candidate who has the paper qualifications— they also want someone who will be able to contribute to a positive work environment.
Increase your self-confidence
If you suffer from a lack of self-esteem related to your smile (or anything else) it can be difficult to step outside your comfort zone to take risks. However, this is often exactly what’s required for true success! When you’re happy with your appearance, it can make you feel better about yourself overall. Having a smile you love is part of that! As a matter of fact, Invisalign conducted a survey on this and 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’s nothing to sneeze at!
Leave a lasting impression with a smile from Riverview Orthodontics
There’s no denying that our appearance can play an important role in how we feel about ourselves and how others perceive us, too. It can influence the way employers look at us, too! Dr. Upton can help you achieve a beautiful smile that looks great and makes you feel fantastic, thanks to his expertise and our wide range of treatment options. These options include self-ligating braces that are placed on the back of the teeth, clear braces, and clear aligners, and give our teen and adult patients the ability to transform their smile discreetly.
Correcting any existing orthodontic issues will not only improve your oral health, it can improve your self-confidence, too! Smiling has been linked to better moods, greater positivity, and being able to connect with others more easily. It’s also been shown to reduce stress levels, which is something we can all appreciate in today’s busy world!
A healthy, beautiful smile can help you make a positive first impression and may even give you the edge you need to achieve your career goals. Are you ready to learn more about how our talented team can give you a smile that will help you get ahead? Contact us today to schedule your FREE consultation!