An Attractive Smile Can Improve Your Professional Success

If you’re getting ready to hit the job market – we have some advice: make sure your smile is in great shape. 

It’s no secret that in the corporate world, your physical attributes (like your height, weight, or smile) can impact your career. The most important attribute? Your smile. Studies have found that a genuine, attractive smile can help land you a job, close a sale, get a better salary, and motivate others to perform better. For better or worse, having a great smile is critical to your professional success. 

What Does Your Smile Say to Employers?

Your smile says more than you could have ever imagined to an employer. It starts a non-verbal dialogue the minute you walk into a job interview – where first impressions speak the loudest. One study found that study participants were more likely to be hired (58%) and receive higher salary offers (53%) after their teeth had been whitened. In another, researchers found that during job interviews the individual whose smile was deemed “more attractive” was perceived to be a better candidate for the position even if they were technically less qualified.

A great smile also suggests to employers that you can be a positive influence in the office. Yale University professor Sigal Barsade, Ph.D., conducted a study in which she had volunteers divided into small groups and assigned each group specific tasks. Unbeknownst to the group members, one of the team members was instructed to act overtly positive. When the "positive," smiling volunteer entered the room, his mood was picked up by the rest of the group almost instantly. Beyond just improving the mood of the group, the performance of each individual improved as did the group's ability to achieve its goal.

Having straight teeth is also important. A Kelton Global study found that people attach positive attributes, like success, wealth, happiness, health, and intelligence, to those with straight teeth. In a study of individuals who had received orthodontic treatment as adults, 75 percent reported improvements in their careers and attributed this to their improved smile.

A healthy, attractive smile also tells employers that you have fewer missed days of work. Poor dental health can be very damaging to workplace productivity. Approximately one in six Americans — 16% of the population — miss work due to dental health concerns each year. As a result, more than 164 million work hours are lost yearly. Poor dental health is also linked to a range of health issues such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s Disease, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer.

Still not convinced? Here are a few more studies that addressed the importance of a genuine, attractive smile:

• In an Oral B recently of over 2,000 men and women, it was determined that whiter teeth made people appear more attractive and younger. 
• University of California researchers published a research study showing that people with more attractive smiles made more money (12.7%) than people perceived as having less attractive smiles.
• A study conducted at Loyola Marymount University validated that individuals with whiter and brighter smiles had better employment outcomes

Investing in Your Smile Will Pay Off

In today's competitive business world, it makes sense to give yourself every advantage. If your smile isn’t up to standard, now is the time to take action. Here are several ways that you can improve your smile:

Teeth Whitening. If your teeth are discolored or yellowing, we suggest a whitening procedure. At Jeff M. Morrison & Associates, DDS, we provide our patients with custom whitening trays and gel. The results are fast and amazing.

Porcelain veneers are an easy solution for covering broken, chipped or discolored teeth. Veneers are placed over your existing teeth to create the healthy smile of your dreams – usually in under two weeks.

Cosmetic bonding is a simple procedure that will help you improve the appearance of a cracked, chipped, or stained tooth. Bonding is a single-visit procedure that takes just a few minutes to complete

Clear braces. For adults who want a straighter smile but don’t want to wear traditional braces, clear braces can be an excellent alternative. They’re more discreet, allowing you to maintain their mature and professional image while going through treatment.

Tooth-colored fillings. If you haven’t done so already, talk with your dentist about replacing your old silver fillings with tooth-colored fillings. They are better for your health and will blend in with your smile for results that are seamless and durable.

As long as people are going to judge you on your smile, why not have the best one possible? With new treatment options, procedures that take less time and are more comfortable, and creative financing options, an attractive smile is easier than ever. Let the friendly staff at Jeff M.  Morrison & Associates, DDS help increase your confidence, expand your professional opportunities, and transform your everyday appearance. We are always taking new patients.  Success is just around the corner!

"the expression one wears on one's face is far more important than the clothes one wears on one's back." Dale Carnegie