What Does Your Smile Say About You?

By Phil Cai, DDS

You think of yourself as ambitious, adventurous, and charming, but your smile may say otherwise. While the adage teaches people not to judge a book by its cover, they certainly still do with your smile.

According to a study conducted by renowned psychologist, Dr. Michelle Callahan, the first feature Americans notice about someone is his or her teeth, which is also the facial quality most remembered after meeting a stranger. Thus, some composite artists begin their sketches by asking victims of crimes to describe the suspect's teeth and lips to jog their memory.

The same study concluded that folks perceive strangers with straighter teeth as 58 percent more likely to be successful, 45 percent more likely to land a job, 21 percent more likely to be happy, and 38 percent more likely to be viewed as intelligent. So if you want to look smart, ditch those geeky glasses for a new smile.

For singles still on the market, research indicates that individuals with nicer smiles are 57 percent more likely to get a date online, based on pictures alone and assuming other factors are equal. Thirty eight percent of Americans claim they would refuse a second date with someone who has a crooked smile. This may not seem significant until you consider only 23 percent stated they would refuse someone who still lived with his or her parents. Yikes.

If you want others to have faith in you, maintaining your oral hygiene is also very important. Seventy three percent of Americans assert they would trust a stranger with good teeth over someone with a good job, outfit, or car. There is no debate as to which is cheaper brushing your teeth or buying a Ferrari.

Regardless of whether you are looking for a mate or hunting for a job, a good smile goes a long way. If the health benefits of keeping your mouth clean are not enough incentive, then public perception should be the catalyst for regular check-ups with your dentist to ensure your smile says the right things about you.