It’s no secret that smiling is beneficial. There are poems, songs, and plenty of inspirational images to remind us that when we smile, the world smiles with us! Grinning is a great way to greet someone, and if you’re looking to make a lasting impression, a healthy smile can be just the ticket—your smile is actually the first thing people notice about you and the feature they tend to remember the most when recalling your face later. That's why we’ve put together all the ways you can leave a lasting impression with 5 smile superpowers.
Here at Davis & Goldberg Orthodontics, we want to give you a beautiful smile that stands out in a crowd. We offer patients of all ages a variety of affordable orthodontic treatments to correct crooked teeth, misalignments, and more! Improving your oral health and achieving a straighter smile can increase your confidence and help others remember you long after you’ve left the room.
Let’s take a closer look at why smiling is so beneficial and how we can give you a customized smile that looks and feels fantastic!
1. Smiling Can Make You Look Youthful
Even if there were no other benefits to smiling more often, this one is worth it! Research has shown that the more an adult smiles, the younger people perceive them to be. The reverse is true, as well—those with frowns on their faces were categorized as older than their true age. If you think about it, a big smile is a bit like a natural facelift: when the corners of your mouth are turned up, it raises your whole face, including the cheeks, jowls, and neck.
Smiling can also make you look thinner. In a recent study by psychology students, faces that looked sad were flashed on a computer screen. Participants judged them to be heavier than their real weight based on nothing more than a downturned mouth and unhappy expression. Turning your frown upside down can make you look slimmer without counting a single calorie! Try it in the mirror and see what a positive difference it can make.
2. Smiling Improves Your Mood
When you smile, it elevates your mood and helps create an overall sense of well-being. This gets your “happy” chemicals flowing, so it’s kind of like throwing your brain a little feel-good party every time you smile! Dopamine increases our feelings of happiness, and serotonin release is associated with reduced stress. When you smile, tiny molecules called neuropeptides also come into play, along with endorphins, which are natural pain relievers.
A smile doesn’t even have to be genuine for you to reap its rewards! If you’re having a long, stressful day, even faking a smile can make you feel better by boosting your mood and increasing your level of happiness. Buddhist author Thich Nhat Hanh once said, “Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.”
3. Smiling is Associated with Several Positive Qualities
Way back in the 1920s, a researcher named Edward Thorndike described a phenomenon he called the “halo effect.” In essence, our brains tend to attribute multiple positive qualities to a person based on us noticing just one positive quality. So what does that have to do with a smile? Well, as it turns out, teeth that are straight, white, and healthy are often perceived to be an indicator of everything from confidence and success to trustworthiness and popularity!
A perception study conducted by Kelton for Invisalign confirmed this. They found that the alignment of a person’s teeth is often a catalyst for assumptions regarding their intelligence, success, wealth, and even their overall health. According to this particular study, about two-thirds of Americans are more likely to remember attractive features than those that they find to be unpleasant. If you want to take advantage of the snap judgments people make about you, orthodontic treatment with Davis & Goldberg can give you an unforgettable smile!
4. A Healthy Smile = A Healthier You
Orthodontists don’t just improve the cosmetic appearance of your smile. Crooked teeth can be more difficult to clean and floss effectively, and misalignment can increase the risk of tooth decay, TMJ pain, chronic headaches, and even impact speech. When you correct your orthodontic issues with braces or aligners, there are numerous benefits besides a beautiful smile! This includes improved digestion, reduced inflammation and infection, and better oral health overall.
5. Smiling Boosts Your Confidence
When you’re self-conscious about your smile, it can keep you from stepping outside your comfort zone. Yet this is often what’s required to be successful in any endeavor! An Invisalign survey on this subject 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. Feeling happy with your appearance can make you feel better about your life in general, and having a happy, healthy smile you love can be a big part of that!
A Standout Smile is Waiting for You at Davis & Goldberg Orthodontics
You may not be aware of them, but all of us possess psychological cues that we use to communicate with each other in nonverbal ways. Our gestures, posture, outward appearance, and our smiles convey messages to those around us even if we’re not saying a word! This is one reason why you always hear people say that you never get a second chance to make a first impression. So what does your smile say about you?
Here at Davis & Goldberg Orthodontics, our goal is to give you a beautiful smile that won’t just leave a great first impression but a lasting one as well! Our talented team is also committed to helping you achieve a healthier mouth that’s fully functional. A bright, healthy smile has been linked to better moods, increased positivity, and reduced stress levels. There’s no dental referral necessary, and we offer FREE consultations, so there’s nothing to lose when you schedule your first visit with our office!
If you’re in High Point, Greensboro, or the surrounding communities and want to know more about how orthodontics can give you a confident smile that stands out from the crowd, get in touch today! We’d love to help you take the first step in your orthodontic journey.
