We never get a second chance to create the ‘First Impression’. So, always put your best efforts to leave a positive mark in all the first meetings. Whether it is your job interview, social get-together, or any professional or personal encounter, your confident smile can create magic.
A smiling face always makes many friends. When you smile, everyone smiles back at you. It is believed that happy people are healthy and more successful. Your smile sends out signals about your personality and capabilities. So smile a lot.
Interestingly, your dental health has some surprising effects on your career growth. But for having a smile that wins the heart, a lot of effort is required.
Our oral and dental habits have to be good, and we need to follow a routine for maintaining oral health. This includes:
- Brushing and flossing for 2 minutes, twice a day
- A dental checkup every six months for scaling and polishing
- Avoid dark coloured liquids such as coffee, tea, red wine, and artificially coloured foods
- Proper mouthwash after every meal
- Quit smoking and alcohol
What are the Benefits of Good Oral Health in your Career?
When we talk about oral health and its effects on your career, we mean your smile. A study shows that a smile creates a positive impact wherever we meet a new person, especially during a job interview.
People with misaligned or discoloured teeth smile less, whereas those with bad breath restrict themselves from opening their mouths while interacting with others.
Having a healthy mouth and teeth can surely lead to better work productivity and career advances.
As per one of the dental surveys, whitened teeth create a perception of higher intellectual ability, better social skills, and good relationship status.
What are the Harms of Poor Dental Health in the Workplace?
There are some biases, which are often related to poor smiles and bad dental health.
- Missing front teeth often represent evil villains
- Having buck teeth often represent a foolish man
- An unhealthy mouth shows a lack of self-discipline and awareness
- Discoloured teeth are often related to bad lifestyle choices
- A dirty mouth sends a signal of laziness
How does Good Dental Health Impact your Career Growth?
A smile with sparkling white teeth creates a positive impact. It makes others more receptive to your thoughts and ideas. You look younger and more vibrant. Your boss and team consider you more efficient, thus making you a better team player.
You become Mr/Mrs Popular: A smiling person puts others at ease. You become more approachable and popular amongst your co-workers and peers. This increases your confidence and boosts your self-esteem. It is also useful for organisational growth as healthy, smiling people create a positive work environment. A fuller smile conveys confidence and friendliness, while an unattractive smile can be a roadblock to showing positive personal and professional traits.
The HR crew approves of you: Imagine if someone is afraid to smile because their teeth aren’t in the best condition. The poor person may find it harder to get employment. It is also believed that candidates who do not smile are less prepared and HR always doubts their capabilities. They are perceived as distant and nervous and might be deemed unsuitable for the company.
You perform well in a job interview: In an interview, a smile can reduce the pressure and make you feel calmer to perform better by staying focused. It is difficult to find a job representing a big brand with a bad or broken tooth. The way you look, dress and groom yourself creates an impression on the client and the customers. None of us has ever seen a marketing professional with discoloured, broken, or missing teeth. No company would want to spoil their image.
You feel happy and relieved: A simple smile triggers our brain to stay in a happy state by releasing neurotransmitters, dopamine, endorphins and serotonin. These hormones play a vital role in the maintenance of overall health. When we are smiling, our body feels better. It relieves stress, thereby reducing pain and gaining the ability to focus better.
You improve your communication skills: Maintaining good oral hygiene is very important for effective communication. Bad breath can upset anyone and make your business talks fall flat. So, be careful about bad odours while talking to someone or giving any professional presentation.
Having clean and healthy teeth avoids plaque buildup, which causes bad breath (halitosis). Besides saving us from unwanted dental diseases, it holds back the embarrassing and undesirable incidences at the workplace.
You stay healthy and happy: Good dental health also reduces the chances of inflammation or infection, which means you will remain healthier and not be taking a day off from work due to sickness. Recent scientific testing has proved a connection between the bacteria found in plaque and coronary artery disease. The same bacteria are also found in amyloids of Alzheimer’s disease.
What is the Right Way to Brush your Teeth?
Now that you know about the impact of your dental health on your career growth, you should not take it casually. The first step to keep your dental health in good condition and maintain it is by brushing your teeth properly, twice a day, every day.
Normally, we treat brushing so obviously that we never give much thought to it. But you should follow proper hygiene and dentist-recommended steps to clean your teeth, gums and oral cavity for ensuring good dental health and a great smile.
Here are some important steps:
- Gently brush your teeth on all sides – front, back, upwards and backwards
- Make small circular motions with a soft-bristle brush
- Use fluoride toothpaste
- Replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months
- Brush slowly and gently along your gum line
- Lightly brush your tongue or use a tongue scraper to clean it
- Clean between your teeth with dental floss
- Rinse after you floss
Last but not least, schedule your dental checkup visit with your dentist every three months. For more information or to book a check-up, get in touch today.