If you are like most people, you love to be in a mood that makes you smile. However, you may not realize just how much your smile means to others. Likewise, it is likely you do not fully realize how instinctively you judge others by the beautiful smile – or a lack of one.
The Science of Smiles and Your Appearance
A large body of science over the past few decades has documented just how important your smile and your teeth are. In fact, a nice smile is considered one of the most important factors that affect overall self-confidence, acceptance by others, and even success.
For instance, a recent study by Kelton and conducted by Invisalign “proves that even the alignment of teeth is a catalyst for assumptions regarding success, popularity, intelligence, and general health.”
The points illustrated in the following infographic by Carrington College verify these points, and explain why people are so willing to invest in their teeth beyond general dental health. In fact, the infographic shows that more than 164 million hours a year are spent by adults in the chairs of dentists, and another 51 million hours of school are missed by children for dental care.
Importance of At-Home Preventative Dental Care
While much dental work requires the expertise of a qualified dentist, you can do a lot to maintain your bright smile, especially if you have made a significant investment in cosmetic surgery. For example, keeping your teeth white is something you can influence based on your eating and drinking habits along with your dental hygiene.
White teeth are shown to make you appear as much as five years younger, and increase your general attractiveness by as much as 20 percent. You can help keep your teeth at their brightest by avoiding such teeth-staining foods as coffee, tea and dark colas.
If you must drink these liquids, consider using a straw. Also, it’s a counterintuitive fact that you should delay brushing your teeth at least 30-60 minutes if you do consume such drinks or eat foods like berries and candy. Rinse with water immediately, but brush later to reduce the effect of the acids in your mouth.
Your teeth say a lot about you. It is important that you both understand the message you are sending with your smile, and that you work to make it as positive as possible!