Does Your Smile Leave A Lasting Impression?

Did you know that we all possess something called psychological cues that allow us to communicate with each other in nonverbal ways? That means your gestures, posture, outward appearance, and even your smile are actively saying something to someone before you ever open your mouth to speak! This is one reason why you always hear people say that you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Does your smile leave a lasting impression? 

Here at Clauss Orthodontics, we want to give you a beautiful smile that won’t just leave a great first impression, but a lasting one as well! We’re proud to offer patients of all ages a variety of affordable treatment options to successfully correct a wide range of orthodontic issues. Let’s take a closer look at what makes a smile so powerful, and how improving your oral health can help you stand out from the crowd!

Set the tone with a smile

A genuine smile helps put others at ease, and it can also make you appear friendlier. This is something potential employers pay attention to! For example, when you attend a job interview, your credentials are only part of what the interviewer will be looking at. 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 essentially come to conclusions 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. People who have a bright, beautiful smile are naturally seen as 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.

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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. This 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 undertaken 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. Invisalign actually 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 number is nothing to sneeze at!

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Find the secret to a successful smile at Clauss Orthodontics

Appearance plays an important role in how we feel about ourselves and how others perceive us. It can even influence our overall hireability! At Clauss 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, get in touch today to schedule your free consultation!