When you’re preparing for a big interview, you may not consider the impact your smile can have on your success. A number of studies have shown that your smile is one of the first things people notice and the feature they’re most likely to remember about you. Having a healthy smile that stands out can help you land the job or promotion you’ve had your eye on, negotiate a better salary, and even motivate those around you to improve their own job performance!
When you think about the components of professional success, you might not have thought about the impact of straight teeth, good oral health, and a functional bite. So what happens when you’re struggling with crooked teeth, misalignment, or other orthodontic issues? Here at Elm Tree Orthodontics, we believe in helping you reach your potential. Whatever the current state of your smile, you can reach any goal you set for yourself. If you’re looking for a way to add a little extra pizazz to your career path, our treatment options are the perfect place to start! Let’s take a look at why your smile matters when it comes to your professional success, and how our team can help you achieve it.
Smiling Is Contagious
As human beings, we naturally mimic facial expressions, usually without even realizing we’re doing it. This can trigger a similar emotional state and briefly boost our mood. This also allows us to better understand the person we’re communicating with and respond appropriately – which is why we tend to smile back when someone smiles at us. It turns out there really is something to that old saying “Smile and the world smiles with you!”
A great smile may also show potential employers that you could be a positive influence in your workplace. Yale University professor Sigal Barsade, Ph.D. conducted a study to demonstrate this. Volunteers were divided into small groups and assigned specific tasks, with one team member secretly told to act upbeat upon entering the room. When that person came in with a big smile on their face, the mood was almost instantly elevated! Barsade also found that each individual’s performance improved and the group itself was more likely to achieve the goal it had been given.
A similar study was done by scientists at the University of Kansas. Subjects were given stressful tasks to complete. Some participants were asked to smile during these tasks, while others were told to keep 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 didn’t give in to stress as easily. They also reported feeling more positive overall than those who were told to keep a straight face, proving the power in a smile! A positive attitude and a big smile are attractive to employers and coworkers alike. This is something that can give you an advantage on the job.
What’s the Halo Effect?
Researcher Edward Thorndike coined the term “halo effect” in 1920. It describes the shortcut our brains take to attribute multiple positive qualities to a person when we see one positive quality. Essentially, we extrapolate information about a person based on our own perception of them. While it may not be the fairest way to process new people we meet, it’s human nature, and highlights just how significant first impressions really are!
One trait that’s been proven to kick the halo effect into overdrive is a bright, healthy, and attractive smile. People with a 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. If you’ve been trying to get your foot in the door or close out a deal, your smile could set off that halo effect in a way that will serve you well.
Set the Tone With a Smile
There’s no denying that a genuine smile can help put others at ease. Most people you meet for the first time will remember your smile and how friendly (or unfriendly!) you appeared to be. For example, when you attend a job interview, your credentials are only part of what the interviewer will be looking at. If you appear to be stiff, unfriendly, or unable to connect with others, it could lower your chances of being offered the position or promotion you desire. The most successful companies don’t just look for qualified candidates – they also want someone who will be a good addition to their team by contributing to a positive work environment and building a rapport with coworkers and clients.
Your Smile Can Increase Your Self-Confidence
If you struggle with self-confidence, you’re unlikely to step outside your comfort zone to take risks. But oftentimes, this is exactly what’s necessary to succeed! Being happy with your appearance can make you feel better about yourself and having a smile you love can really boost your confidence! Invisalign conducted a survey on this matter and found that almost 80% of adults who completed orthodontic treatment said that having a healthier smile gave them the confidence to do something they never would have considered before. That’s pretty significant!
It may not be ideal that appearance plays such a big role in how we feel about ourselves and how we’re perceived in the world. But the truth is, there’s no denying that outward appearance can influence our overall hireability. Orthodontic treatment can give you a beautiful smile that you’ll want to share with the world, including potential employers!
Find your most successful smile with Elm Tree Orthodontics!
At Elm Tree Orthodontics, we help patients of all ages achieve a healthy smile that feels great and looks amazing. We proudly offer a variety of orthodontic treatments, from traditional braces to the innovative Invisalign clear aligner system. Thanks to advances in modern orthodontic technology, these treatments are more comfortable than ever before, and in many cases, are also relatively discrete. This is great news for older teen and adult patients!
Speaking of adult patients, we’re seeing more of them than ever before. In fact, about 1 in 5 current orthodontic patients is over the age of 18. Healthy teeth can be moved at any age, and current treatment options make it easier than ever to get the smile you’ve always dreamed of. While correcting orthodontic issues will improve your oral health, don’t underestimate the importance of improved self-confidence, too! Smiling has been directly linked to better moods, greater positivity, and being able to make meaningful connections with others more easily. It’s also shown to reduce stress levels, something most of us can appreciate in this day and age.
There’s no doubt that you can leave a lasting impression with a beautiful smile from Dr. Desai at Elm Tree Orthodontics! 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 a complimentary consultation with Dr. Desai. There’s never been a better time to take the first step towards a successful smile!