Did you know that your smile is one of the very first things people notice about you? It’s also the feature they tend to remember the most when trying to recall your face. If you’re looking to land an interview, negotiate a raise or promotion, or just motivate others in the workplace, a healthy smile can go a long way!
A confident, attractive smile can make you stand out in a crowd and leave a lasting impression on important people. But what if you’re struggling with crooked teeth you want to hide, or facing other orthodontic issues that feel like they’re keeping you from reaching your true potential?
Here at Scaffidi Orthodontics, we know that feeling self-conscious about your smile can hold you back personally and professionally. Luckily, we have a variety of treatment options to help you achieve a straighter smile you can be proud of! Let’s take a closer look at why smiles matter so much, and how our talented team can help you put your best foot forward whatever the setting.
Take advantage of the Halo Effect
In the early 1920’s, a researcher by the name of Edward Thorndike came up with 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. To put it in simpler terms, 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 definitely 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 Scaffidi Orthodontics could give your smile the boost it needs to help you get your foot in the door of your dream job!
Get things off to a great start with a genuine smile
A genuine smile helps to set the tone in any situation, and if you’re confident in your own, it’s something potential employers will really pay attention to. When you attend a job interview, your credentials are only part of what the interviewer will be looking at. 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 also want someone who will contribute to a positive work environment overall!
Share a smile
Us humans are excellent at mimicking facial expressions, whether we realize we’re doing it or not. This behavior allows us to understand the person we’re communicating with and respond appropriately. It can also trigger a similar emotional state in those around us, and even boost our mood briefly if we’re mirroring a positive expression. That’s one reason why smiling is so contagious!
A healthy, happy smile can also 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, 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 shows us just how powerful a simple smile can be! It also explains why it’s such an attractive trait when it comes to employees and coworkers.
Give your self-esteem a boost
If you suffer from a lack of self-esteem related to your smile—or anything else, for that matter—you may not have the confidence to step outside your comfort zone and take a risk. Yet this is often exactly what’s required for true success! Feeling happy with your appearance can make you feel better about your life in general. Having a smile you love is 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 a pretty impressive statistic!
Stand out with a smile from Scaffidi Orthodontics
For better or worse, our appearance can play an important role in how we feel about ourselves. It affects how others perceive us, too, including employers! Thanks to his expertise and our wide range of treatment options, Dr. Scaffidi can help you achieve a beautiful, healthy smile you’ll want to share with everyone around you.
Teen and adult patients have more choices than ever before, between traditional metal braces, self-ligating braces, clear braces, and clear aligners. Now you can correct your orthodontic issues and improve your self-confidence in the way that works best for you and your lifestyle!
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, something we can all appreciate in today’s busy world! An attractive smile you’re confident in can help you make a positive first impression. It may even give you the edge you need to achieve your career goals! If you’re interested in learning more about how our talented team can give you a smile that will help you leave a lasting impression, contact us today to schedule your FREE consultation with Dr. Scaffidi.