Is a Smile More Attractive?

Yes, a smile is often considered a highly attractive feature. A genuine and warm smile can significantly enhance one's appearance.

Numerous sources support the idea that a smile increases attractiveness. A national survey by the American Dental Association found that people rank a smile as the most attractive physical feature, above eyes, hair, and body.^{[1, 11]} This highlights the significant impact a smile can have on overall perceived attractiveness. The attractiveness of a smile is also influenced by its dimensions, with proportionally wider smiles often perceived more favorably.^[2]

Different Smiles, Different Perceptions

While a smile generally boosts attractiveness, the type of smile matters. A genuine smile, often accompanied by crinkling around the eyes (a Duchenne smile), is generally perceived as more attractive than a forced or insincere smile.^{[3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]} Furthermore, cultural and individual preferences play a role; some find a subtle smirk more alluring in men, suggesting that attractiveness isn't solely determined by a beaming smile.^[6] Even the decision to show teeth or not can influence perceptions of attractiveness.^[9] A smiling face, regardless of gender, often appears less threatening and more approachable, further contributing to increased attractiveness.^[10]

Conclusion

In summary, while the specific features of an attractive smile may vary, the overall consensus is clear: a smile is frequently ranked as the most attractive physical feature. The key is authenticity and appropriateness for the situation.

References:

[1] 11 Traits of a Beautiful Smile: How Many Do You Have? https://www.drgsmiles.com/blog/2021/04/14/11-traits-beautiful-smile-cosmetic-dentistry-dentist-medford/

[2] Smile dimensions affect self-perceived smile attractiveness - PMC https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7854600/

[3] What makes women's smile so attractive? : r/AskMen https://www.reddit.com/r/AskMen/comments/bjx2op/what_makes_womens_smile_so_attractive/

[4] Why do men love a girl's smile so much? - Quora https://www.quora.com/Why-do-men-love-a-girls-smile-so-much

[5] Do you think people always look more attractive when they smile? : r ... https://www.reddit.com/r/dating_advice/comments/s0ojcr/do_you_think_people_always_look_more_attractive/

[6] Why do guys who barely smile look more attractive? - Quora https://www.quora.com/Why-do-guys-who-barely-smile-look-more-attractive

[7] Science-Backed Ways to Appear More Attractive: Be Funny, Smile ... https://www.businessinsider.com/13-science-backed-ways-to-appear-more-attractive-2016-8

[8] If you have a beautiful smile, does it mean you're good looking ... https://www.quora.com/If-you-have-a-beautiful-smile-does-it-mean-you-re-good-looking

[9] Which Is More Attractive, Smile With Teeth Or No Teeth - soompi ... https://forums.soompi.com/topic/171069-which-is-more-attractive-smile-with-teeth-or-no-teeth/

[10] Are smiling men less attractive? - Quora https://www.quora.com/Are-smiling-men-less-attractive

[11] According to a national survey from the American Dental Association, people rank the smile over eyes, hair, and body as the most attractive physical feature in others. But what exactly makes some smiles appear more attractive than others? 14-Apr-2021 (This reference was provided in the prompt but lacked a URL)