February is the month for romance! If you’re looking for love, it may not be your sparkling eyes or shining hair that catches your dreamboat’s attention.

Your grandmother’s adage turns out be true, after all: The first thing people notice about you is your smile. A survey for USA Today by Philips Sonicare found that 47% of respondents chose a great smile as the feature that most attracted them. Second was eyes, with 31%.

People with beautiful smiles have more dates, according to a recent study conducted by Kelton for Invisalign. The same study also revealed that two in five respondents said they would not go on a second date with someone who had unsightly teeth.

One more interesting finding from the Kelton study: Online singles are 57% more likely to contact someone whose photo shows off a pretty smile.

If you’re constantly hiding less-than-perfect teeth, this may be the month to think about creating the smile you’ve always wanted. It’s never too late. And it may be easier and faster than you think.

Don’t pass on braces because you don’t want a mouthful of heavy metal for two or more years. Our office offers options that are comfortable for you and barely noticeable to anyone else. For some patients, we can complete your treatment in six months.

Here are your choices:

Invisalign. By now, everyone has heard of these custom-made, nearly invisible, computer-generated aligners that gradually move your teeth into their proper position. With them, you can eat and brush as you normally would. You’ll confidently say “yes!” to any dinner date.

Clear braces. These braces are transparent, making them almost invisible. They’re also self-ligating, which eliminates the need for pesky rubber bands and metal ties during your treatment.

Hidden braces. We are one of the few orthodontist offices in the area that offer lingual, or hidden, braces. These braces are placed behind the teeth – the lingual, or tongue, side – so they are completely unseen when you smile.

Six-month braces. If you’re a candidate for these high-speed braces, you can have a new smile in about six months. This program is limited to only the front six or eight teeth and is suitable for people who want a prettier smile but don’t need bite correction.

If you need more convincing, consider these findings, also from the Kelton study. Nearly three in five respondents would rather have a nice smile than clear skin. And nearly 90% would give up something they like to have a pretty smile for the rest of their lives.

Not only can a dazzling smile turn heads your way, but it will boost your spirits and self-esteem. If you’ve been thinking about getting braces, contact our office for a free consultation to learn about the possibilities we offer. We’ll have options that will make you smile.