Life these days certainly looks different than it used to, with many of us swapping out working lunches for Zoom meetings and meet-and-greets for Facetime. One thing that hasn’t changed, however, is how important a first impression is. Whether introductions are happening online or in person, we size each other up and form an opinion within the first few minutes. Since there’s no way we can accurately convey who we are and what we’re capable of in that short amount of time, this initial assessment is based in large part on something called psychological cues. These are the nonverbal signals we use to communicate with each other, including eye contact, gestures, and facial expressions.
As one of the most important tools we have when it comes to making a good first impression, you may be wondering what your smile says about you! Studies have shown that smiling sends signals about your confidence, intelligence, and work ethic to the person you’re meeting, which can certainly make you memorable. But if you feel self-conscious about how your teeth look or feel, you may be used to hiding your smile. Unfortunately, this can come across as you being unfriendly or standoffish, something you definitely want to avoid in both personal and professional settings.
The good news is, Westfall Orthodontics is here to help you achieve a beautiful smile that stands out from the rest of the crowd! Before we talk about how we can make that happen, let’s discuss why smiling is so important in the first place. Keep reading to learn more about how your smile can leave a lasting impression!
Get those happy chemicals flowing
When you smile, it gets certain chemicals in your brain flowing. Dopamine and serotonin are linked to increased happiness and reduced stress, while neuropeptides and endorphins are natural pain relievers. The best part about this is that your smile doesn’t even have to be genuine for you to benefit from it in this way. These chemicals are still released whether your smile is real or not, so “fake it ‘til you make it” to less stress and a better mood!
Put others at ease
Whether we mean to or not, we tend to place a lot of emphasis on physical appearance when we meet someone for the first time. While we’re not able to fully assess who a person is in the moments after meeting them, we’re usually able to get a good idea of how comfortable we’re likely to feel around them. A genuine smile can be an excellent indicator of that! It puts the people we’re communicating with at ease and helps set a positive tone in just about any situation.
Give your self-esteem a boost
When you’re confident in your smile, you feel free to be yourself in any setting. The reverse is true as well, though. If you don’t feel good about how your teeth look, you may hesitate to step outside your comfort zones or really let your personality shine. Unfortunately, this means the message you’re trying to communicate may get lost before it ever reaches its intended audience!
Fortunately, treatment with Westfall Orthodontics can give you a smile that not only looks great but feels good, too! When you love the way your smile looks, you’ll feel more confident in yourself, something that will come through in your interactions with others and leave a positive impression.
Play to people’s perceptions
Our brains tend to attribute multiple positive qualities to a person based on us noticing just one positive quality. This phenomenon is referred to as a “halo effect” and an attractive smile is one of the things that can trigger it. To learn more about this, Invisalign enlisted Kelton Global to conduct a perception study for them. This found that straight teeth are often perceived to be an indicator of many positive qualities, such as confidence, success, wealth.
The study also showed that about two-thirds of Americans are more likely to remember attractive features than those that they find to be unpleasant. We all know we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but it still happens all around us every day. You can take advantage of these snap judgments by sharing your own unforgettable smile with others!
Showcase your smile with our treatment options
Our practice is proud to offer patients of all ages in Abingdon, Richlands, and Bristol a variety of affordable treatment options.
Traditional metal braces
Today’s traditional metal braces are more comfortable and effective than ever before. They’re made of high-grade stainless steel and straighten your teeth over time using a system of metal brackets, archwire, and elastics. Metal braces are also customizable, thanks to the colorful rubber bands we have available to show off your personality every time you smile!
Clear braces
Also known as ceramic braces, these work like metal braces but have the added benefit of clear brackets to blend in better with your natural smile. While they are less noticeable than braces with metal brackets, they do require a bit more attention to oral hygiene as the ceramic material is slightly more brittle than other options. For this reason, ceramic braces tend to be used more on upper front teeth than on lower teeth. This is also why we tend to recommend clear braces for our older teen and adult patients only.
Invisalign and Invisalign Teen clear aligners
Invisalign is our most popular alternative to traditional braces! Instead of brackets, bands, and wires, this system uses a series of clear aligners to move the teeth. These acrylic trays are custom-made to provide a comfortable fit, and offer patients a bit more freedom and flexibility than braces. Because they’re removable, there are no food restrictions, and it’s as easy as ever to maintain a good dental hygiene routine.
Get a successful smile from Westfall Orthodontics
At Westfall Orthodontics, we want to give you a smile you love, and that begins with your FREE consultation in one of our three conveniently located offices. There’s no dental referral necessary, so why not reach out today to set up an appointment with Dr. Westfall? The smile you’ve always wanted is waiting here for you!