It doesn’t matter if you’re an attorney or HVAC repairman, teacher or realtor. When you interact with people on a daily basis, especially for your job, your face is front and center – and so is your smile. If your teeth are not in good shape, then you are no doubt incredibly self-conscious about them and hyper-aware of a person’s gaze going directly to your mouth. No matter what field you’re in, a good smile can only help your confidence, persuasiveness, and success.
You go to college or trade school or undergo special training in order to be qualified and adept at your job. It would be nice to think that these mental efforts alone are enough to predict your level of career success, but they’re not. Your appearance matters, particularly if you spend your days meeting new people, giving presentations, interacting with patients, or working closely with colleagues and clients. Your teeth are one of the first things that people see and, if they’re in bad shape, they’ll be memorable – and not in a good way.
Smile, It’s Your Career: Success is Earned in Many Ways
It’s easy to convince yourself that your teeth don’t really matter in the grand scheme of things, that people will respond to you the same way whether your smile is good or bad. But that is untrue. According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, 74 percent of Americans believe an unattractive smile can negatively impact a person’s career success.
The condition of your teeth speaks volumes about you as a person. Stained or broken-down smile? People may assume you don’t care enough about your teeth to take good care of them and, therefore, will be unlikely to do your job well, manage a promotion, or properly handle a client.
A Beautiful Smile Will Complete Your Resume
Worrying about other peoples’ opinions of you can also throw you off your game. If you think someone is fixating on your smile, they just might be, and that can have you distracted wondering if they’re judging you. That’s certainly not going to help you do the best job you can possibly do.
A winning smile can, simply enough, make you look like a winner. A white, straight, stunning smile is the difference between looking like a CEO and the low man on the totem pole. The condition of your teeth impact the level of trust, authority, and respect you command from everyone around you.
Pack a New Smile in Your Professional Briefcase
If you’re a white collar professional in particular, you probably invest a great deal in your appearance – the right business suits, shoes, briefcase, technology, business cards. You’re painting a picture of accomplishment and success, but neglecting your smile can be a big misstep in your efforts to look the part.
Worried about the time it’ll take to repair your smile? Cosmetic dentistry solutions like porcelain veneers, Lumineers, and dental implants can be completed in as few as two visits to the dentist. The time away from your job will be minimal, and the benefits of a new smile will be immense. Teeth-whitening can happen on your lunch break! Even replacing silver fillings with composite fillings can give you a whiter, brighter smile.
Make your appointment for a consultation with Dr. Ken Cirka at Philadelphia Dentistry to begin your smile makeover and get on the path to even greater career success.