If you are worried about how to make the best first impression possible, it’s easy: smile. Smiles are a powerful expression that will increase your ability to make a good first impression, one that will be remembered.
Why Smiles Are Remembered Better
Smiles are different from other facial expressions. They are the expression that is recognized most quickly by a viewer, and the smile that can be distinguished from the furthest distance away.
So smiles are distinct. But that’s not why they’re remembered better. When researchers use computerized images to make sure that the angry faces and happy faces are the same amount different from neutral, they find that happy faces are still remembered better.
So what makes smiles more memorable? It probably comes back to the fact that smiles are a very positive, a very rewarding expression both for the person smiling and the person looking at the smiler. When someone sees you smiling, they experience a pleasant feeling. The reward center of the brain then tells the memory center of the brain to remember this face, because it gives joy.
How Much of a Difference?
So how much of a difference does smiling make? Quite a lot, actually, according to research. IN one experiment where people were shown pictures of angry and smiling faces, then asked to identify the same faces but with a neutral expression this time. People were better able to recognize the faces they’d seen smiling.
And the effect works for picking faces out of a crowd. Compared to angry expressions, people better remember faces seen with a happy expression.
And, perhaps most importantly, people remember the names of people with smiling faces better than they remember the names of those with angry or neutral expressions.
When You Don’t Feel Comfortable Smiling
This is all well and good for people who feel comfortable with their smile. But what if you’re not happy with your teeth?
Whether you’re dealing with crooked, discolored, broken, or even missing teeth, cosmetic dentistry has a solution for you.
For crooked teeth, we offer many braces options, including clear braces and Six Months Smiles. Discolored teeth can be treated with teeth whitening. Chipped or broken teeth can be repaired with porcelain veneers. And missing teeth can be replaced with dental implants.
There’s no need to avoid smiling and miss out on the benefits. Please call (610) 272-0828 today for an appointment with Philadelphia cosmetic dentist Dr. Ken Siegel at Dental Excellence of Blue Bell.
