You may not know it, but your smile is one of your most important features. Not only is it the first thing people notice when they meet you, it’s also what they tend to remember about you before anything else! There have actually been several studies done over the years that show how an attractive smile can leave a lasting impression on others. We know that having a healthy smile can make you stand out from the crowd, but what if you’re struggling with crooked teeth, misalignment, or other orthodontic issues that are holding you back? Petrunic Orthodontics is here to help!
If you’ve spent a lifetime hiding your smile, we offer a variety of affordable treatment options to successfully correct a wide range of orthodontic problems. Our talented team can give you a smile that will help you put your best foot forward in your personal and professional life! But first, let’s take a look at what makes smiling so special and how improving your oral health can transform your professional life, too. Keep reading below to learn more.
Offer the world a smile
Humans are excellent at mimicking facial expressions, even if we’re doing it subconsciously. This allows us to understand the person we’re communicating with and respond appropriately, and can also trigger a similar emotional state in those around us. That’s why a smile can be contagious and briefly boost our mood!
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, 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.
The power 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. Putting it into simpler terms, we tend to make up information about a person based on our own perception of them. This may not seem like a very fair way to process the new people we meet, but 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 Petrunic Orthodontics could give your smile the boost it needs to help you get your foot in the door of your dream job and more!
Genuine smiles can set a positive tone
A genuine smile can help set the tone in any situation. If you’re confident in your own smile, 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. Remember that successful companies don’t just want a candidate who looks good on paper— they’re also looking for someone who will be able to contribute positively to the work environment.
Take risks
When you’re self-conscious about your smile, it can keep you from stepping outside your comfort zone to take risks. But 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. Invisalign actually 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. If you need inspiration, look no further than a straight, healthy smile!
Find your most confident smile with Petrunic Orthodontics
Whether we like it or not, there’s no denying that our appearance often plays an important role in how others perceive us. Thanks to his years of education, training, and experience, Dr. Petrunic is the perfect choice to help you achieve a confident smile you’ll want to share with the whole world!
Smiling has been linked to better moods, greater positivity, and being able to connect with others more easily. It can also reduce stress levels and increase your chances of making a positive—and lasting!— first impression. If you’re in Prattville or the surrounding communities and want to learn more about how Petrunic Orthodontics can transform your smile, get in touch today to schedule your FREE consultation!