A beautiful smile can make all the difference in the world. This is not something show business came up with, but a fact according to the Smile Survey by Kelton Global conducted in the USA. The results showed that many Americans consider good teeth as a sign of success, attractiveness, and good personality.
Smiling is one of the warmest and pleasant characteristics of every human being. Having crooked, broken, or missing teeth can hinder someone’s self-esteem and make them avoid social interactions. So, let’s see how a perfect smile can change your life and keep you healthy.
Oral hygiene can improve your health
Taking care of your oral hygiene is a precursor for good health. Flossing and brushing, as well as rinsing with mouthwash are the bare minimums you should do at home. Regular checkups at the dentists also fall under proper oral hygiene and you shouldn’t wait until you notice something is wrong with your teeth.
If you suffer from gum disease it can lead to chronic inflammation that is often connected to serious health problems, like blood clots, stroke, and heart attack. A 2013 study showed the connection between inflammation and infection of the gums and jaw bone, jointly called periodontal disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. Unfortunately, genetics, diet, habits, and at-home diet play a big role in the condition of your teeth, but regular visits to your dentist will make sure you have a perfect smile.
You will leave a lasting impression
Making the first impression can be a deal-breaker or maker when building relationships with other people, regardless of the context. A beautiful smile is easy to notice and remember about a person, but also to help you believe in yourself and your abilities. If you hide your smile or try not to show your teeth, people may perceive you as unfriendly or even hostile.
There are no reboots of the first impression, so it’s a lot of pressure on a person to leave a mark on the room. It takes around 20 seconds for someone to form an opinion about you and you can turn that into your favor with a radiant smile.
Smiling can boost your confidence
If you are not happy with any part of yourself, you may shy away from the limelight and attention. While some things you need to accept about yourself, others are easily fixable, like smiling more. Modern cosmetic dentistry offers a lot of aesthetic solutions for people who are not satisfied with their teeth.
Veneers, implants, and fillings are some of the ways to improve the appearance of your teeth and get a more beautiful smile. These procedures can take care of crooked, chipped, and missing teeth, as well as discoloration problems that don’t respond to whitening. A new smile takes away the anxiety and brings confidence that will encourage you to be surer in yourself.
You are more attractive when you smile
If you want to be more attractive, you just need to smile more. Just like people who smile are more charming to you, you will be more appealing to others. Even when having conversations over the phone, you can be considered lovelier if you smile even though the person you talk to can’t see you.
This is supported by research, like a study published in 2019 investigating how appearance affected the 2016 congressional elections in the USA. According to findings, the more attractive candidates had a better chance of being elected. This is because attractive people are regarded as more sociable, intelligent, and mentally healthy.
A beautiful smile is a social asset
A nice smile is a social asset that can make you feel more engaging and appealing, to yourself and others. Many people opt to not correct their buck teeth since they believe wearing braces will make them more socially awkward. However, dental technology has gone a long way and now you can wear clear Invisalign aligners specially tailored to your bite.
Teeth whitening is another popular correction besides aligning the teeth, giving you a brilliant and healthy smile. You will be more prone to smile and show off your shining teeth, gaining more confidence in social interactions and networking. You will also be less shy to meet new people which is important for relationships and business communication.
A smile can help your career
A 2005 study investigated how appearance affects the hiring process by having employers look at the photographs of candidates. The employers were ready to give a 10.5% higher salary to people who they considered attractive over those they didn’t.
However, there is more to it than just good looks. Attractive people are more approachable and have confidence that allows them to feel comfortable when interacting with their superiors and negotiating wages. Since smiling is always associated with pleasant emotions, showing off your smile can soften your facial features and allow you to open up uncomfortable topics, like raises and promotions.
A smile can bring happiness
Have you noticed that when someone else smiles, you smile? This is because smiling is a mood booster that can lighten a situation and bring joy when you feel down. You can have the same effect on other people, making life a little bit better for someone else when you smile.
In a way, smiling can be observed as spreading happiness. It can chase away the insecurity and anxiety that both you and the people around you feel. Based on the 2020 experiment, you can trick your brain to feel happy if you smile even when you are down. This is happening because smiling stimulates the release of dopamine and serotonin, neurotransmitters that work as natural anti-depressants.
In conclusion
Putting on a perfect smile can change your life by giving you the confidence to be more approachable and charming. Proper oral hygiene and dental corrections can make your smile more dazzling, as well as improve your health. But remember, you can lift the spirits of people around you with only one, sincere smile and make their day better.
