Do people make snap judgments about others based purely on looks? It’s not something any of us would proudly admit to, but we all do it to some extent. And, according to numerous surveys, one physical feature that strongly affects first impressions is the condition of someone’s teeth.

Not long ago, Align Technology, a manufacturer of clear orthodontic aligners, commissioned a survey to find out exactly how crooked teeth affects our perception of other people. Respondents were shown images of people and asked to give their opinion about them, Dental Implant Machine unaware that they were comparing people with straight teeth to those with crooked teeth.

The results of the study indicate that people with straight teeth are perceived to have more desirable qualities than those with crooked teeth. For example:

    People with straight teeth are seen as 45% more likely than those with crooked teeth to get a job, skills and experience being equal.
    Those with straight teeth are 21% more likely to be seen as happy, 47% more likely to be viewed as healthy and 38% more likely to be perceived as smart.
    When it comes to internet dating, those with straight teeth are seen as 57% more likely than those with crooked teeth to get a date based on their picture alone.

“We live in a society where looking good heavily impacts how we are perceived,” said Timothy A. Mack, senior vice president of business development for Align Technology, the makers of Invisalign® clear orthodontic aligners, after the survey came out. “You can say you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but people do it every day.”

It’s no wonder, then, that people with crooked teeth often lack the confidence to smile openly. And this, in turn, can affect their social and professional success. Fortunately, you don’t have to live with crooked teeth—no matter how old you are. The dental specialty of orthodontics can help straighten your smile, boost your confidence and enhance your quality of life at any age.

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recently surveyed adults age 18-54 who had completed orthodontic treatment. The vast majority had positive things to say about life after braces: 83% reported improved personal relationships; 58% reported improved career success; and a whopping 92% said they would not hesitate to recommend orthodontic treatment to other adults.

Here are some comments from individual survey respondents:

“I was much more confident and self-assured once I could smile openly. Life is very stressful (on a subconscious level) when you’re always aware that you cannot open your mouth to smile without fear of judgment.”

“With an attractive smile you can face your career and personal relationships with confidence.”

“A more brilliant smile and the straightest teeth … gave me confidence to do anything.”

Of course, looking good and feeling confident aren’t the only reasons to undergo orthodontic treatment. According to the American Dental Association, “orthodontic treatment results in a healthier mouth. Not correcting an abnormal bite could result in further oral health problems, Marathon Micro Motor including: tooth decay, gum disease, tooth loss, affected speech and/or chewing, abnormal wear to tooth enamel, jaw problems.”