Toggle navigation

3660 Waialae Avenue, Suite 315 Honolulu, HI 96816
(808) 734-1099

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • blog
  • Pinterest
  • Featured Smile of the Month
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn

FREE SMILE REDESIGN CONSULTATION

  • Home
  • Meet Dr. Okuda
  • Services
    • Accelerated Treatment
    • Dental Implants
    • FullMouth Rehabilitation
    • Gummy Smile Treatment
    • Porcelain Veneers
    • Porcelain Crowns and Bridges
    • Teeth Whitening
    • Cosmetic Bonding
  • In the News
  • In the Spotlight
  • FAQs
  • Blog Posts
  • Before & Afters
    • Our Patient's Journey
  • Testimonials
  • Contact Us
  • Hawaiian Smile Vacations

Your Smile Makes a Strong Impression

  • Blog Home
  • Uncategorized
  • Your Smile Makes a Strong Impression

Your Smile Makes a Strong Impression

By admin
September 23, 2013
Category: Uncategorized
Tags: About Cosmetic Dentistry   AACD   smile makeover   Veneers   Restorations  

Look in the mirror…and give yourself a big smile.  Are you happy with the smile looking back at you?  How much does it matter?  According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), 90 percent of Americans agree that an attractive smile is an important social asset.  Seventy-five percent agree that an unattractive smile can hurt a person’s chances for career success.  However, only 50 percent of Americans are satisfied with their smile.

THE POSITIVE ASPECTS OF A SMILE

Why does a smile say so much?  Mainly because it’s in a central, very noticeable position of one’s face.  It’s also one of our key sources of non-verbal communication.  A smile conveys a powerful range of emotion to others, from acceptance to confidence, to greeting to happiness.  Many experts state that a smile, or lack of one, can make a significant difference in our professional and personal lives.  Barbara Walters once said, “There are few times in our life when it isn’t too melodramatic to say that your destiny hangs on the impression you make.”  According to Maui resident and lecturer Sam Horn in her book Concrete Confidence, smiling is essential in creating a solid first impression, and in putting yourself and others at ease in that first five minutes of an interaction.  She writes, “The very first step to establishing a positive response in another person is to flash them a genuine, heartfelt smile….  Simply said, it’s hard to dislike someone who smiles at you.  A smile sets up a reciprocal reaction.  Recipients almost involuntarily smile back.”

She continues that, just as in one-on-one interactions, smiling makes a striking difference for public speaking.  Especially for beginners, if a speaker is preoccupied with their fears, they often greet their audience with a stern look and launch into their speech.  The effect is appearing unfriendly and harsh.  If a big, warm smile is the initial greeting, they appear friendly and establish immediate rapport.  “A smile can raise the mood and increase the receptivity of those within its perimeter.”

Sam Horn also writes that another important factor in a good first impression is eye contact.  In fact, research has shown that people who pair a smile with eye contact are more successful in their interactions with others than those who do not smile.  Smiling people are in general perceived to be more trustworthy and can often be more persuasive, whether in a business or social setting.

So fundamental is a smile in our society that our nation expressed heartfelt sympathy several years ago when we heard through the media about seven-year-old Chelsey Thomas of California who could not smile.  She was born with Moebius Syndrome, which is a rare disorder where the nerves and muscles do not permit facial expression.  Can you imagine a life where you could not express your joy or happiness with a smile?  Can you imagine a life where people assume you’re mad all the time?  We all thought it was horrendous.  Gladly, we were able to all breathe with relief when she could be helped with corrective surgeries.

SMILING IS GOOD FOR YOU!

According to an article in Men’s Health magazine, there are a multitude of other reasons why you should smile.  This article states, “If there has ever been a simple strategy for improving the quality of life, it’s smiling.”  As a benefit to yourself, smiling can make you feel good.  Certainly we smile when we’re happy, but did you know that you feel happier when you make yourself smile?  Smiling produces positive feelings and changes your emotional state for the better.  So instead of waiting for the effect to cause you to smile, initiate the effect yourself: show your aloha and smile.

A smile can also help bring about better health for you, as smiling reduces stress.  People under stress tend to have a lowered immune system, which may lead to illness.  So in addition to getting a flu shot, keep grinning.

EVEN MORE GOOD REASONS TO SMILE

As you probably know, other people make conclusions about you based on your smile.  What may surprise you is that it happens in all facets of life.  For example, people like to be around smiling people.  Your smiling tells others they are well regarded and will feel better about themselves.  In one survey, women rated smiling as the number one physical characteristic which initially attracted them to men.  A smile beat out other features, such as eyes and physique!  So never underestimate the power of a smile.

Another study showed smiling increased the perception of a person’s ability on the job.  While still another study concluded that when polling college students about punishing their peers, those who smiled in their photos tended to receive a more lenient punishment for college academic infractions than those who didn’t smile, regardless of guilt.  Now this is not to say that a dazzling smile can take the place of hard work in your career, or a huge grin can get you out of a speeding ticket, but you have to admit it is interesting to know what research does show.

THE LIFE-CHANGING POWER OF A SMILE MAKEOVER

So, does a smile have the power to change your life?  Absolutely.  You may want to take the challenge given by an article in American Salesman titled, “Experiment with a Smile.”  The author suggests that tomorrow when you start off your day, put a little smile on your face.  Not a big grin that will cause others to talk about you behind your back, but a pleasant crack of a smile, and keep it there.  The author hypothesizes that this exercise will have a magnificent effect.  “Problems you are having will vanish.  Your mind becomes attuned to positive high spirits.  The air will feel better to your face.  That smile will penetrate into your very heart and soul.  You cannot tune in goodwill and the friendship of others when you are broadcasting indifference.  It is surprising how people will notice you.  The smile has a magnetic power of attraction.  It even penetrates into the mind and consciousness of others.”  The author says to turn smiling into a habit, to do it all day, every day, and you will enjoy the benefits of your happy expression.

Someone once said, “A smile is a passport that will take you anywhere you want to go.”  I have seen great changes in patients after a smile makeover.  They went from being self-conscious of their smile to wanting to smile all the time; from being uncertain of themselves and their goals to feeling very confident and achievement-oriented.  Because of this, I am a firm believer in the power of the smile and the extraordinary effect on its owner.  So remember to wear your smile all day, every day, and see the gifts of happiness come back to you!

0 Comment(s) Permalink

Comments:






Subscribe to our RSS Feed

Archive:

  • 2020
      • December (1)
        • Discover the Benefits of Porcelain Veneers
      • September (1)
        • Can Porcelain Crowns Improve My Smile?
      • June (1)
        • Tired of Dental Stains? We Can Help
      • April (1)
        • Maintaining a White Smile
  • 2019
      • March (2)
        • Veneer vs Crown
        • Improve Your Smile With Porcelain Crowns
  • 2018
      • April (1)
        • Show Off Your Best Possible Smile
      • February (1)
        • Brighten Up Your Smile
  • 2017
      • December (1)
        • What is Bonding?
      • October (1)
        • Let Veneers Improve Your Smile
      • August (1)
        • You Don't Have to Fear the Dentist's
      • July (1)
        • Tips for a Healthy Smile
      • June (1)
        • Porcelain Crowns Restore The Look And Function of A Tooth
      • April (1)
        • Say Cheese!
      • February (1)
        • Get A Whiter Smile!
  • 2016
      • December (2)
        • Ways Cosmetic Dentistry Can Help Improve Your Smile
        • Hollywood Smile for the Holidays
      • October (2)
        • Make Your Damaged Teeth Strong Again
        • Smile Makeover in Honolulu
      • August (2)
        • An Amazing Full Mouth Smile Makeover
        • Why You Should Consider Accelerated Dental Treatment
      • July (1)
        • How Porcelain Veneers Can Reshape Your Smile
      • February (3)
        • A Brand New Smile this Spring
        • The Value of Getting Porcelain Veneers
        • Missing Teeth Affect More than Your Smile
  • 2015
      • December (3)
        • Am I a Candidate for Crowns?
        • Dr. Okuda and Hawaii Luxury Magazine
        • Dental Veneers Can Boost Your Self Confidence
      • November (1)
        • How to Prepare for a Teeth Whitening Procedure
      • July (1)
        • Gummy Smile Correction
      • June (3)
        • Do you suffer from Microdontia?
        • Cracked Porcelain Veneers Can Be Repaired
        • How Can Cosmetic Dentistry Fix My Crooked Teeth?
      • May (2)
        • Your Fillings Will Not Last Forever
        • Healthy Teeth and Gums Before Dental Restorations
      • April (1)
        • Coffee and Your Smile
      • March (1)
        • Preventive Dentistry for Successful Restorative Procedures
      • February (2)
        • Sophisticated Treatments for Dental Anxiety
        • Why Porcelain Crowns Fix Your Unsightly Smile
  • 2014
      • December (1)
        • How Teeth Bleaching Can Restore Your Smile
      • October (2)
        • A Perfect Smile for the Holidays
        • You May Have a Bite Dysfunction and Not Even Know It
      • September (1)
        • Dental Implants a Permanent Solution for Missing Teeth
      • August (3)
        • Think About your Teeth and Gums Before You Light Up
        • Say Good Bye to Chipped Teeth With Dental Crowns
        • The Dangers of Oral Piercing
      • July (2)
        • Get a Hollywood Smile with Porcelain Veneers
        • New Esthetic Dentistry Article by Dr. Okuda Published in the AGD Journal
      • June (1)
        • 5 Tips To Keep Your Teeth White and Bright this Summer!
      • April (1)
        • How to Combat Bad Breath
      • March (1)
        • Dr. Wynn Okuda Achieves Fellowship!
      • January (1)
        • Honolulu Residents Enjoy Teeth Bleaching
  • 2013
      • November (1)
        • Dental Implants for Honolulu patients looking to fill gaps
      • September (49)
        • Today's Cosmetic Dentistry is not only a pretty smile
        • Root Decay
        • Do’s and Don’ts with Porcelain Veneers
        • Helping those who help others Part 2
        • Helping those who helps others!!
        • Full Mouth Rehabilitation
        • Dr. Okuda celebrates the Give Back A Smile 10 Year Anniversary
        • Dental Anxiety
        • Healthy Bone is Essential to a Beautiful Smile
        • The Power of a Beautiful Smile
        • The Top Seven Questions about Working with a Cosmetic Dentist – What is Cosmetic Dentistry
        • Fear? Anxiety? Overcome These Possible Obstacles to Your Smile Makeover
        • Oral Cancer: Don’t Lose that Beautiful Smile
        • Taking Herbal Supplements Let Your Cosmetic Dentist Know
        • Severe Complications, Not Beautiful Smiles, Caused by Certain Cancer Drugs
        • Dental Day Spa: Home of Smiles and Relaxation
        • Hi-tech Dentistry: Seeing is Believing When it Comes to a Smile Makeover
        • Bone Grafting: SciFi in the Present – Bringing Back Beautiful Smiles
        • The Top 7 Questions About Cosmetic Dentistry Answered
        • A Missing Tooth Can Be an Esthetic Addition to a Beautiful Smile
        • Esthetic Implants – Not only Bright Smiles, But Also Future Security
        • If You’ve Neglected Your Smile, You Can Still Get a Smile Makeover
        • Teeth Bleaching: Get the Right Information
        • Your Smile Makes a Strong Impression
        • Taking Anxiety Out of a Dental Visit is Something to Smile About
        • Tooth Sensitivity Get to the Root of the Problem
        • How the Latest Trends in Cosmetic Dentistry Can Positively Impact a Person
        • The Gummy Smile vs. the Beautiful Smile
        • Ideal Tooth Conserving Restorations for a Bright, Beautiful Smile
        • Repairs Give Back A Beautiful Smile After Accidents or Acts of Violence
        • Seniors Can Have Beautiful Smiles, Too
        • Cosmetic Dentistry? Now, What is That Again?
        • Executive Esthetic Dentistry: Smile Makeovers for Executives
        • Smile Makeover – Use Dental Magic to Overcome Your Crooked Smile
        • Veneers Smile Makeover of the Stars!
        • A Makeover For the Darkened Smile
        • Dr. Okuda is featured at The ADA Convention
        • International Cosmetic Dentistry Lectures
        • Dr. Okuda Appointed to the Academy of General Dentistry Expert Advisory Board
        • Dream Makeover Hawaii Selects Dr. Okuda As Cosmetic Dentist
        • Dr. Okuda selected for Best Dentists in America List, Best Dentists in Hawaii List
        • Dr. Okuda awarded The Rev. Cheng Imm Tan Award for Outstanding Visionary
        • Okuda Cosmetic Dentistry Dental Day Spa Wins BIA Overall Grand Award
        • Wall Street Journal Features Okuda Cosmetic Dentistry Dental Day Spa
        • Dr. Okuda Elected National President of the AACD
        • Dr. Okuda awarded AACD Humanitarian of the Year Award
        • Restorative Dentistry Featured in ADA Journal
        • Give Back A Smile Program
        • New York Times Discusses State-of-the-Art Cosmetic Dentistry

Tags

  • About Cosmetic Dentistry (35)
  • New York Times (1)
  • AACD (5)
  • cosmetic dentistry Hawaii (8)
  • Give Back A Smile (5)
  • ADA Journal (1)
  • restorative dentistry (4)
  • Give Back A Smile Program (2)
  • Humanitarian of the Year (1)
  • hawaii (3)
  • Dental Day Spa (12)
  • Wall Street Journal (1)
  • BIA Hawaii (1)
  • Outstanding Visionary (1)
  • Best Dentists in America (1)
  • Best Dentists in Hawaii (1)
  • Dream Makeover Hawaii (1)
  • smile makeover (13)
  • Academy of General Dentistry (1)
  • ADA (2)
  • IFED (1)
  • Beautiful smile (17)
  • cosmetic dentist (11)
  • Cosmetic Dentist Honolulu (1)
  • Hawaii Cosmetic Dentist (4)
  • tooth whitening (2)
  • Top Cosmetic Dentist (3)
  • bright smile (9)
  • Cosmetich Dentist Hawaii (1)
  • dentistry (1)
  • Veneers (22)
  • before and after photos (1)
  • consultation appointment (1)
  • crooked smile (1)
  • crowded smile (1)
  • crowns (4)
  • instant orthodontics (1)
  • Invisalign (1)
  • malocclusion (1)
  • orthodontics braces (1)
  • worn down teeth (1)
  • Cosmetic Dentistry Honolulu (2)
  • Add new tag (1)
  • aged smile (1)
  • Cosmetic Dentist Hawaii (7)
  • gum-lift (1)
  • Gummy Smile (1)
  • missing teeth (1)
  • porcelain crowns (3)
  • porcelain veneers (3)
  • stained teeth (1)
  • teeth bleaching (5)
  • dental implants (3)
  • gum disease (2)
  • root decay (1)
  • tooth decay (1)
  • dental implant (1)
  • veneer (1)
  • advancements in dental Technology (1)
  • dental health (2)
  • jaw surgery (1)
  • lopsided smile (1)
  • youthful smile (1)
  • cavity (1)
  • nightguard (1)
  • sensitive teeth (2)
  • dental anxiety (4)
  • root canals (1)
  • spa dentistry (1)
  • straighten teeth (1)
  • smiling (1)
  • discolored teeth (1)
  • home bleaching (1)
  • in-office bleaching (1)
  • Teeth Whitening (8)
  • Restorations (15)
  • healthy smile (1)
  • neglected smile (1)
  • oral cancer screening (1)
  • periodontal (gum) disease (2)
  • root canal (1)
  • cosmetic dental (1)
  • In the News (13)
  • About Cosmetic Dentiistry (1)
  • brite smile (1)
  • cosmetic denistry (1)
  • dentist (1)
  • honolulu (1)
  • wynn okuda (1)
  • bone grafting (1)
  • dental spa (1)
  • make over (1)
  • scifi present (1)
  • cosmetic dentistry makeover (1)
  • cosmetic imager (1)
  • Hawaii Cosmetic Dentistry (1)
  • Intraoral Camera (1)
  • future of dentistry (1)
  • tooth loss periodontitis (1)
  • bisphosphonates (1)
  • dental treatment bisphosphonate therapy (1)
  • dental-related complications (1)
  • okuda (1)
  • osteonecrosis (1)
  • osteoporosis (1)
  • Cosmetic Dentistry herbal supplements (1)
  • gum surgeries (1)
  • herbal supplements (1)
  • implant (1)
  • oral cancer (1)
  • oral cancer symptoms (1)
  • oropharyngeal cancers (1)
  • Overcoming Dental phobias (1)
  • Cosmetic Dentistry Questions (1)
  • Lauren Deveney (1)
  • Mobius syndrome (1)
  • Smile challenge (1)
  • spread Aloha (1)
  • dental bone graft (1)
  • dental bone loss (1)
  • ill-fitting denture (1)
  • Anxiety (1)
  • Dr. Okuda (4)
  • Full Mouth (1)
  • Makeover (1)
  • Oral Health (1)
  • tooth grinding (1)
  • Halitosis (1)
  • Bad Breath (1)
  • Dental Hygiene (1)
  • White Smile (1)
  • White Teeth (1)
  • Dental Crowns (4)
  • Coffee (1)
  • Tooth Stains (1)
  • Crooked Teeth (1)
  • Gummy Smile Correction (1)
  • cosmetic dentistry (10)
  • accelerated dental treatment (1)
  • sedation dentistry (1)
  • dental bonding (1)
  • white fillings (1)
  • Dental Stains (1)

Categories:

  • Veneers (2)
  • Restorations (4)
  • About Cosmetic Dentistry (3)
  • In the News (13)
  • About Cosmetic Dentistry, Veneers (1)
  • Oral Health (17)
  • Cosmetic Dentistry (4)

Our Location

Honolulu & Oahu, HI Dentist
Wynn H. Okuda, DMD, Inc.
3660 Waialae Avenue, Suite 301
Honolulu, HI 96816
(808) 734-1099
Dentist in Honolulu, HI Call For Consult

Map & directions

Office Hours
Monday:8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday:8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday:Closed
Thursday:8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday:8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday:Closed
Sunday:Closed
  • Home
  • Meet Dr. Okuda
  • In the News
  • In the Spotlight
  • FAQs
  • Blog
  • Before and Afters
  • Testimonials
  • Contact Us
  • Dental Web Design Copyright © MH Sub I, LLC dba Officite
  • Disclaimer
  • Patient Privacy
  • Site Map
  • Services