People make a judgment about an individual the moment they meet him or her— and appearance is a major factor in that first impression. According to a perception study commissioned by Invisalign and conducted by Kelton Research, the way teeth look and the way someone smiles has a direct impact on the way a person perceives him.
The Perception Test
To test theories about first perceptions, Kelton Research collected a pool of images of men and women, some with crooked teeth and others with straight teeth. Over 1,000 Americans took a survey that included these photos and asked for honest comparisons. According to the results, respondents seemed to think that the people with straight teeth were overall happier, more successful, more professional, and more likely to have loving, supportive families.
Quick Judgments, Longterm Results
The Kelton study revealed what experts already suspected— that Americans use a person’s features, including their teeth, to make a snap judgment about that individual, sometimes in as little time as three seconds. Teeth are one of the features most noticed and remembered after a first meeting. Of the study participants, around two-thirds were more likely to remember people with nice faces and attractive smiles.
When they encountered individuals with crooked teeth or unpleasant smiles, the participants were more likely to forget them or remember them in a negative way.
Dr. Michelle Callahan, a relationship expert, psychologist, coach, and TV host, puts it this way: ” Whether we like it or not, we are often judged by our appearance. The results of this Smile Survey prove what I’ve always believed, which is the importance of an attractive, healthy smile, whether you’re socializing and networking face-to-face or virtually.”
The Everyday Impact
How do those findings impact people in real life? Imagine that a number of people are applying for the same job. The interviewer meets with a few dozen candidates, but is most likely to remember the ones with pleasant faces, attractive smiles, and straight teeth. Two people may have precisely the same professional qualifications, but one has crooked, discoloured teeth while the other shows off gleaming, straight teeth. The one with the glowing smile will be remembered in a positive way and will probably get the job.
A Confidence Boost
If an individual wants to improve the chances of finding romance, getting a promotion, achieving a personal goal, or building a stronger network of friends and colleagues, paying more attention to his smile is one way to do it. About 73% of survey respondents say that they are more likely to trust someone with an amazing smile than someone with a great outfit, a cool car, or a good job. In fact, people with straight, attractive teeth are 38% more likely to be seen as smart and 21% more likely to be viewed as happy than those with crooked teeth. A round of Invisalign in Singapore, some whitening treatments, or other oral health solutions can boost a person’s satisfaction with his or her appearance; and the smile makeover may be the catalyst for bigger and better things in that individual’s life.
