The Power of a Beautiful Smile

Published by 41Staff1 on April 21, 2015

The Power of a Beautiful Smile

Your mother probably taught you to “stand up straight and smile” when you are introduced to new people. She had a point.

A number of studies have uncovered just how powerful a smile can be. Approximately half of Americans say that when making a first impression, a smile is more memorable than what an individual says. Nearly one-third of Americans also say that teeth are the first trait they notice when meeting someone. Combine these facts with the traits that people infer from a smile, and you’ll understand how powerful a smile truly is.

What is your smile saying about you?

Straight Teeth and Success

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Many people associate straight teeth with positive character traits. A study by Kelton Global revealed that 58% of individuals believed someone with straighter teeth was more likely to be successful and wealthy. Overall, people with straighter teeth were also viewed as being happier, healthier, smarter, and more trust worthy.

Flawed smiles can also leave lasting impression. A study from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry shows that people associated flawed smiles with lower confidence and found them less attractive. Not only that, but 45% of Americans also said that a smile is a person’s most attractive feature, despite age. Interesting, the Kelton Global study reinforces this the importance of a nice smile when it found that 38% of Americans would possibly forfeit a second date due to their date’s crooked smile. To put this in perspective, only 23% would forfeit a second date due to their date living with their parents.

How Important is a Beautiful Smile to Americans?

Based on the characteristics inferred by smiles, we know that beautiful smiles are important. But do peoples’ actions reflect this belief? The answer, at least to some extent, is yes. Studies found that more than half Americans value a nice smile more than clear skin, and that almost 90% of Americans would give up something (such as desserts, or a vacation) in order to afford a beautiful smile for the rest of their life.

At Chanhassen Family Dentistry, we can help you get that beautiful and healthy smile. We offer a number of cosmetic options, including:

– Invisalign and conventional braces
– Whitening (whitening strips, custom tray bleaching, and porcelain veneers)
– Dental implants and mini-dental implants