Poor Dental Hygiene Can Affect More Than Just Your Mouth

Did you know?

Poor dental hygiene has implications that reach much farther than your mouth. In fact, your oral health can even make or break you in the work world! For instance:

– A recent survey of 613 senior decision makers at small- and medium-sized companies showed that 48 percent would be less likely to do business with someone who had poor dental health or hygiene.

– Another 44 percent admitted that unsightly teeth or bad breath would adversely affect their decision to promote an employee –- regardless of their ability.

Interestingly, the same survey also covered the dental habits of the decision makers, and it turns out, they may not take kindly to their employees’ and business partners’ poor dental hygiene, but they aren’t much better about taking care of their oral health, either.

– 30 percent never floss. – 27 percent had not visited a dentist in the past year. – Almost a third of the survey participants either rarely (18 percent) or never (13 percent) checked their teeth before a big business meeting –- with men almost twice as likely as women to forget to take this crucial step.

The key lesson from the survey? Be sure to take as much time considering the appearance of your pearly whites as you would the rest of your appearance while in the workplace.

--Dr. Shannon Norman-Kotre, Ann Arbor Dentist