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. 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 that Americans use a person’s features, including their teeth, to make a snap judgment, sometimes in as little time as three seconds. Around two-thirds were more likely to remember people with nice faces and attractive smiles.
The Everyday Impact
Imagine that a number of people are applying for the same job. The one with the glowing smile will be remembered in a positive way and will probably get the job.
A Confidence Boost
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. People with straight, attractive teeth are 38% more likely to be seen as smart and 21% more likely to be viewed as happy.