7 Subtle Signals Hidden in Your Smile

September 2, 2015

When it comes to first impressions, there’s nothing more important than your smile. More than how you smell, more than what you wear, even more than what you say, your smile is what people will remember from their first meeting with you. So if you really want to sculpt your image from first impressions, nothing is more important than ensuring your smile is giving the right signals.

You may not realize it, but these are some of the signals that your smile is giving every time you meet someone.

Masculinity or Femininity

Men and women are very different in many ways, something we share with most primates, and one of the differences we share with other primates is in our teeth. Large, square incisors (the large teeth in the middle front of your smile) and long, sharp canines convey a more masculine appearance. A feminine smile is more rounded, with less pronounced canines, though they may also have sizable incisors.

Age

Another signal people pick up from your smile is your age. Teeth naturally become discolored and wear down with time, so people make snap judgments about your age based on these characteristics. Whitening your teeth and enhancing the difference in length between your teeth will help convey a youthful appearance in your smile.

Health

People think they’re looking in your soul when they look in your eyes, but when they look at your teeth, they’re seeing into your body. Unhealthy teeth and gums are linked to a wide range of serious health conditions, so it actually makes sense that people make this association, even if it’s not always justified. If you want people to think you’re healthy, show them a healthy smile.

Intelligence

Many smile problems, such as discolored teeth, chipped teeth, and missing teeth are all associated in people’s minds with lower intelligence. Again, this isn’t completely accidental–studies show that people with higher levels of education are more likely to have healthy teeth.

Wealth

When people see discolored teeth, crooked teeth, chipped teeth, or cracked teeth, their first assumption is that you don’t have the money (or enough style) to get your teeth fixed. You might invest in an expensive suit, killer shoes, and a luxury watch, and you don’t want that impression to come undone when you open your mouth.

Lucky in Love

Men and women agree: the most desired characteristic in a date is an attractive smile. So it’s probably not a surprise that when people see an attractive smile, they assume that you’re lucky in love.

The sense that other people want you also tends to make you more desirable to your present company.

Interesting

What makes a person interesting? Someone who has intelligence, wealth, and romantic charm makes a pretty good start, wouldn’t you think? So it’s no surprise that having an attractive smile gives the impression that you’re an interesting person to talk to.

Cosmetic Dentistry to Sculpt Your Impressions

Porcelain veneers can be used to take care of discolored teeth, crooked teeth, and chipped teeth. They can also be used to reshape your teeth to convey masculinity, femininity, and youth. If you have a missing tooth, a dental implant can be used to replace it attractively so you don’t have to worry about the problems that can come with a partial denture.

To learn more about giving the best first impressions with your smile, please call (918) 528-3330 for an appointment today.