Do Bad Teeth Affect My Career?

People say that first impressions matter when looking for a job. The better you present yourself to your employer, the higher your chances of being hired. Apparently, the same line of thinking applies to teeth.

oral healthStudies show that having good teeth not only makes you more employable but makes you more eligible for promotion and higher pay, as well. On the other hand, bad teeth may cost you your job and your chances of getting a new one.

The link between teeth and your job

A study by Bupa revealed the connection between teeth and job prospects. Among the 2000 UK respondents, around 67% of them say a good smile is an important asset at work. About 24% perceive having better teeth as a factor in increasing their chances of getting a promotion.

Researchers found that teeth might affect impressions and relationships at work, as well. More than two-fifths or 42% find people with healthy-looking teeth more authoritative. Whilst 54% of the respondents agreed that a smile from their boss is one of the best forms of motivation.

Other studies note that people with nice teeth and a pretty smile tend to be smart and trustworthy, making them ideal employees. Some employers prefer people with a nice smile because they appear meticulous and diligent, judging from the good state of their oral health.

Bad teeth = No Job?

Whilst good teeth increase your employability, the study showed that unhealthy teeth affect job prospects, work performance and confidence. Almost 37% of the respondents believe that these can harm an individual’s employability and around 33% feel these can hold back a person’s career progress.

In addition, 42% of respondents found working with colleagues with bad teeth distracting and 29% admitted it affects their confidence in a co-worker’s ability to do their job. Around 28% do not smile at work due to lack of confidence. About 27% even considered getting their teeth ‘fixed’ to improve self-confidence at work.

How your teeth look like can make or break your career. Proper oral care that comes with dental appointments is necessary to land a job and get a promotion. Harley Street dentists is your company to call when it comes to improving your teeth and smile. They provide dental implants, teeth whitening and other treatments that will help your career. Find out more about dentists in Harley Street.