Is a winning smile really linked to one’s overall success? Science shows that your pearly whites can be a key contributor to greater happiness, better personal interactions, and more success, both personally and professionally.  Janet Euzarraga, DDS and her team at Dr. E’s Cosmetic and Family Dentistry have done a round-up of the research:

In a Kelton Research (for Invasalign) perception study, over 1,000 Americans were shown images of men and women with straight and crooked teeth. Greater alignment of teeth was found to correlate with greater success, popularity, intelligence, and general health.  The study further points out that the majority of Americans consider teeth to be a “standout feature” when they first meet someone and it is also one of the first things they recall after meeting someone.  Some other key findings from the study, include:

• People with straight teeth are perceived to have more desirable qualities than those with crooked teeth, including attributes such as being happy, surrounded by loved ones, and professionally successful.
• Those with straight teeth are 45% more likely than those with crooked teeth to get a job when competing with someone who has a similar skill set and experience. 
• Those with straight teeth are seen as 58% more likely to be successful, as well as 58% more likely to be wealthy.
• Roughly 87% would forego something for a year in order to have a nice smile for the rest of their life; more than one-third of these folks would give up dessert (39%) or vacations (37%).

Some more recent findings that link an attractive smile to life success:

At Virginia Commonwealth University, researchers conducted a study on the social benefits of attractive teeth by digitally altering photos and inserting straight or crooked teeth into random images. Separate groups of reviewers were shown photos of the same face, so that one group saw a photo with crooked teeth and another group saw a photo of the same face with straight teeth.  Faces with straight teeth were rated 10 percent higher than those with crooked teeth in almost every category!

A study published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin further revealed people who smiled in photos were found to be more conscientious, confident, and stable – qualities that put an individual at a clear advantage in situations such as a job interview or a date or social encounter.

Finally, bright, white teeth also factor heavily into a first impression.  In a study commissioned by Crest Whitestrips, 58% of those who had their teeth whitened were more likely to be hired for a job and 53% received a larger salary offer.

These findings lend support to the theory that first impressions are crucial!  So, don’t underestimate the impact your winning smile can have both personally and professionally.  Contact Dr. Janet Euzarraga, DDS, Cosmetic and Family Dentistry today to learn more about achieving YOUR best, brightest, healthiest smile for greater self-confidence, a better first impression, and a brighter future.