If you’re a business professional, you probably spend half of your day at the office. A beautiful smile will improve your appearance, confidence, and job performance. In light of Employee Health and Fitness Month, Dr. Villani offers these tips to keep your smile healthy in the workplace.
Bring a Brush
Studies show that only 53 percent of women and 37 percent of men brush their teeth after eating lunch at the office. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, leaving an extra toothbrush at the office will increase your likelihood of brushing by 65 percent. You don’t want to have food particles stuck between your teeth during your client presentation, so take a quick trip to the bathroom to clean your smile after lunch.
Munch on a Healthy Snack
Hunger impairs your focus, lowers your concentration, and increases your irritability. Eating a mid-morning snack, however, will keep you energized and full enough to make better decisions during the day. Make sure you choose healthy snacks like fruits and vegetables, and wash down your meal with a glass of water.
Avoid Smoke and Coffee Breaks
Smoking increases your risk of stained teeth, dry mouth, bad breath, gum disease, and oral cancer. Additionally, if you stop for your morning cappuccino on the way to the office, keep in mind that coffee discolors your smile. If you need to step outside the office or need a boost of energy, consider taking a walk around the block.
Improve your Smile
Approximately 42 percent of professionals say the least attractive feature about their co-workers is “not smiling,” followed by 32 percent who are most turned off by bad breath. Smiling makes you look younger, enthusiastic, motivated, confident, and friendlier. Additionally, studies show that people who smile are more likely to receive a promotion. People who take care of their smiles pay more attention to details, thereby improving work efficiency. Poor oral health can also cause pain and discomfort that distracts from your work duties. In fact, adults miss about 164 million hours of work each year for dental treatments. Ask your employer about company health insurance so you can improve your oral wellness and your job attendance.
Dr. Villani offers all-white fillings and crowns, Invisalign clear braces, and porcelain veneers to maintain your professional image. If you want a beautiful smile that will make your colleagues jealous, call Dr. Villani at Brighton Family Dental Group in Brighton, MA at (617) 562-5210. We welcome patients from Brighton, Watertown, Cambridge, Brookline, Newton, and the surrounding communities.
