During a job interview, your potential employer will be assessing not only your qualifications but also your appearance. The way you dress, the way you talk, the way you carry yourself; all these can affect your chances of getting the job. But did you know that your teeth can also influence your interviewer?
We don’t usually associate cosmetic dentistry procedures with employment, but a study has indicated that mouth and teeth appearance affects job prospects. Whether you’re about to interview for your dream job in Tampa or a position that’ll just pay the bills in Raleigh, your teeth may decide your future career path.
What the Study Found
The study, conducted by the American Dental Association, found that 18 percent of Americans feel that the appearance of their teeth and mouth affects their ability to interview for jobs. The number is high among young adults and low-income adults, with 28 percent and 29 percent of these demographics feeling the same way.
Poor dental health can also affect your well-being. One in five adults has anxiety because of their oral health. A full 25 percent of adults avoid smiling because of the condition of their teeth.
But how does dental health affect your stock as a job applicant?
What Your Teeth Can Tell
Your smile and whether you’re smiling or not, are major factors in a job interview. Smiles can project confidence, enthusiasm, and friendliness, all of which are things an employer will look for in an applicant.
But what if you power through your anxiety and your embarrassment about your teeth and smile anyway?
Unfortunately, your teeth can imply things about you that your interviewer might not like. Missing or discolored teeth often evoke negative thoughts and are associated with bad things. It may be unfair, but physical attractiveness is often crucial to whether or not you’re going to get a job. This is especially true with client-facing jobs.
Companies and employers may also assume that an interviewee with poor dental health has bad habits. Failure to maintain your looks can be associated with laziness.
All these assumptions can be unfair and baseless. Poor dental health is more common among low-income household and people because they may not have the time or the money to visit a dentist. But your teeth are an investment, not only for your physical health and self-esteem, but for your future in the job market. So what can you do to make your teeth shine?
What Cosmetic Dentistry Can Do For You
A simple way a dentist can improve your mouth appearance is with teeth whitening. This procedure is very simple and you can even do it at home. You can get teeth whitening kits from dentists if you don’t have the time for a long visit. These kits will allow you to whiten your teeth at home.
If you have a chipped tooth, dental caps can fix your bite and your smile. You can reinforce weakened or cracked teeth with dental crowns and restore your teeth to its full capacity. A dentist can replace missing teeth with implants, which can be a permanent fix.
Your teeth are an investment and, like all investments, have to be maintained and cared for. A toothache doesn’t have to be the only time you visit your dentist. Make your smile brighter to ensure a better future.
