Your smile is powerful–so powerful that it affects how people perceive you based solely on the alignment of your teeth.
Market research consultancy Kelton conducted a perception study regarding the assumptions tied to having straight teeth. Ordered by a manufacturer of InvisalignⓇ, the study compared images of men and women with straight and misaligned teeth among a representative sample of 1,047 Americans.
Discover what people assume about those with symmetrical teeth compared to a crooked or misshapen smile.
First Impressions Are Everything
Nearly one-third of Americans say the first thing they notice when initially meeting someone is their teeth, while almost one-fourth remember their smile. The sample group collectively agreed that attractive features are more memorable than undesirable ones. As a result of the study, people with straight teeth were found to be:
- 27 percent more likely to be seen as happy
- 47 percent seen as being healthy
- 38 percent more likely to be perceived as smart
- 57 percent more likely to get a date based on their picture alone
And for people with crooked teeth, unfortunately, you’re less likely to get a second date. Nearly two in five people wouldn’t consider another date with someone that has misaligned teeth. Fortunately, many dentists like Dr. Amanda Sheehan offer Invisalign aligners as a quick, comfortable solution to straighten out your smile and help you get that second chance.
On average, the study showed that people perceive those with straight teeth to have more desirable qualities, including happiness, popularity, intelligence, and success. Having symmetrical teeth makes you appear even more trustworthy than someone with an impressive job, outfit, or car.
Straight teeth were so admired that almost 87 percent of the sample group would sacrifice something for a year just to have an appealing smile for the rest of their life.
Straight Teeth as a Symbol of Wealth
It pays to have a straighter smile, literally. People with straight teeth appear to be 45 percent more likely to get the job when competing with someone with crooked teeth that has equivalent skills and experience. They’re also perceived to be 58 percent more likely to be successful and wealthy.
With statistics like those, it’s not surprising that one of America’s universal, visible signs of poverty is having bad teeth. Straight teeth require money, resources, and time–something not everyone can afford. Explicitly, more than 126 million people didn’t have dental coverage in 2012, according to the US National Association of Dental Plans.
People with missing, damaged, or crooked teeth are faced with more challenges when coming into employment and other opportunities. People without jobs lack income, and impoverished people don’t have access to necessary dental services. Many dentists like Dr. Steve Haywood offer flexible payment options to help overcome the costly limitations of dental treatments.
There’s No Shame in Your Smile
As shown through this study, people with straighter teeth are given the upper hand compared to those with a misshapen smile. Whether it’s an interview or a date, a symmetrical smile is a feature both men and women consider to be incredibly valuable. This is centered on the basic idea of wanting to appear aesthetically pleasing and have others perceive you that way.
If you need help achieving the smile of your dreams, dentists like Dr. Eugene Stanislaus provide smile makeovers, or the combination of one or more dental treatments. This can restore teeth that are stained, uneven or misshapen, gapped, cracked, or missing. Not only will it repair the appearance of your smile, but a smile makeover can give you the ability to eat and speak with ease.
Contrary to the status quo, having misaligned teeth isn’t a life sentence to disadvantages among employment and relationships. Whether your teeth are perfectly aligned or slightly chipped, there’s beauty in each smile and that’s something to feel confident about.