You have a hugely important meeting. You pull up in a sleek car, stepping out in your best, most confidence-boosting power suit. You stride up to the restaurant feeling strong, knowing for certain you’ve made that first impression you were going for. Well- it’s looking like those days are gone. In the increasingly digital world we live in, the vast majority of us are taking our work meeting, happy hours and family reunions online. This means a few things:
1. Our peers are only seeing us from the waist up
2. You’re also staring at yourself close up
3. You’re noticing every little flaw
Whether it’s a virtual date, virtual meeting, or a workout class with strangers, you want to feel like your best self. Self-confidence is a huge factor in both business and social settings! You would normally put on the power suit, LBD, or heels that make you feel your most confident and self-assured. But, what to do in this new virtual world that is becoming our new normal?
A third of all Americans say that the smile is the first thing they notice when meeting someone. A person with straight teeth is more likely to be perceived as happy, healthy, and smart. A staggering 73% of Americans say they are more likely to trust someone with a nice smile than a person with a nice outfit or car!
Even through all the craziness of COVID, all the restrictions with social distancing, I’ve had dozens of new patients contact me every month with the same statement. “I feel so vain, but I can’t stop staring at my smile on Zoom! What can I do to look my best?” They are so relieved when I tell them, “Vanity has almost nothing to do with improving your smile! This is a smart decision not only for your health, but also for your business and social life!”
I start to analyze each person’s needs, and what little (or big) changes we can make to optimize their smile. Maybe the plan is straightening crooked front teeth with Invisalign, doing a quick whitening session, restoring chipped and broken teeth with veneers, or creating better symmetry with Botox and filler. Each time the reaction is the same. Even simply talking about their game plan, showing them a glimpse of what they’ll look like, their entire face lights up! The confidence boost is instantaneous!
So I ask you, in this age where the first impression is often a screen showing only your face, does your smile feel like a power suit? Does it showcase how driven, motivated, and positive you are? Is it making you feel like your most confident self? OR- do you feel that it’s holding you back and misrepresenting you?
NOW is the time to do something about it!
