Are you happy with your pearly whites?

More than one-third of American adults are not, according to a study by the American Association of Orthodontists. And your smile, the first thing most people notice about you, could affect your professional life, AAO says.

Of the 1,000 U.S. adults surveyed, 78 percent said they perceive adults with crooked teeth to be unsuccessful. And 14 percent of those unhappy with their smile believe it might be holding them back from a better job.

Adults today are looking back and saying, ‘I want to maintain my health, I want to look good.’ And it’s never too late to have a straight and beautiful smile.

“If you’re sitting in a meeting with somebody, people will get a little bit self-conscious if they see that they’ve got some protrusions, or some gaps, or they’ve got some crowding going on,” said Chris Vranas, executive director of AAO. “What this [survey] tells me is…adults in particular are much more conscious about their overall health and their overall look.

“Braces have become more of a rite of passage,” he added. “Adults today are looking back and saying, ‘I want to maintain my health, I want to look good.’ And it’s never too late to have a straight and beautiful smile.”

More aesthetically pleasing treatment options are encouraging more people to seek orthodontic care as adults, said AAO President John F. Buzzato.

“Professional orthodontic treatments have come a long way in recent years, with innovative options such as clear aligner trays, lingual braces, and ceramic braces,” Buzzatto said in a statement. “Healthy teeth can be moved at any age, and it’s encouraging that two-thirds of Americans think they are never too old for treatment.”

“As professionals, we want to be healthier, look better, and feel better as our population ages,” said Vranas. “When you’re looking at your overall health issues, part of that is a healthy, beautiful smile.”

(iStockphoto/Thinkstock)