When you’re making decisions about straightening your smile, it’s easy to get bogged down by the perceived cost of treatment. Even with flexible options and in-house financing, you may find yourself looking down the road and feeling intimidated. Is the cost of braces really worth it, you might ask? The answer is yes—and for even more reasons than you might expect. Orthodontic treatment offers incredible health benefits, but did you know straight teeth carry financial benefits as well? It’s true! We don’t call getting braces an investment for no reason.
In 2012, Kelton Research performed a study that confirmed what we all suspect to be true: the straightness of your teeth absolutely does affect the way people perceive you, and this can translate into cold, hard cash over the course of a lifetime. In the Kelton study, participants were shown pictures of complete strangers and asked to respond with their first impressions of each person. The participants had no idea they were comparing people with crooked teeth and straight teeth, but the results show a shining difference: those with straight teeth were perceived to be 45% more likely to get a job when competing with someone with similar skills and experience; they were seen as 58% more likely to be successful, 38% more likely to be smart, and 73% more trustworthy.
When a hiring manager sees you for an interview, they make their first impressions in three seconds. We all know how important first impressions are, right? And while you can be prepared and carry yourself well, keep in mind that 24% of Kelton study responders said teeth are the facial aspect they remember most after meeting someone. Combine this with the automatic assumptions of success, trustworthiness, and we make about people with strong, straight smiles, and you’ll see how taking this step in your own life can majorly boost your earning power.
Still not convinced? Other studies have shown that these feelings aren’t just impressions: people with straight teeth earn 5 to 10 percent more per year than their peers. Let’s look at that math: with an average American income of $50,000 per year, 5 to 10 percent more means an extra $2,000 to $5,000 every year. Over the course of a lifetime, you can bank an extra $250,000 with the help of your glorious grin. Looking at those numbers and all the potential they hold for you, how does the cost of braces sound now? They could quite honestly pay for themselves—and then some, and much quicker than you’d think.
The job market is a competitive place, and your potential boss will want to know that you’re the type of individual who makes wise decisions and smart investments. Bringing in your best smile shows them that you’re dedicated to taking care of yourself and your priorities, which can only help highlight all the other great skills, strengths, and experience you’ll bring to the table.
To learn more about how you can kickstart your financial future—including any questions about our options for paying for treatment—call Birmingham Orthodontics to set up a free consultation today.
At Birmingham Orthodontics, our mission is simple: we create smiles. Not only do we straighten the crooked grin, fix the bite, and adjust the jaw, we also brighten yearbooks, help young people come to like their looks, and give adults the confidence they have wanted for a long, long time. We also believe in our staff. Our culture of continuous learning has allowed us to host monthly training sessions for each team and bring in leading industry consultants to help keep us ahead of the curve. Contact us for a free consultation, or any questions you might have.
