Whether it’s a personal or professional relationship, your smile, and the way you treat it, can make a major impact. (Spoiler alert — taking good care of your teeth and gums can give relationships of all types a boost!) Check out some of the unexpected ways oral health influences your social life.
3 ways oral health can affect your relationships
1. Increasing confidence at work
Want your coworkers to see you as a confident, reliable partner? Take a deep breath, stand tall and crack a smile. More than half of Americans say that good oral health makes them feel confident, according to the 2017 Delta Dental Plans Association (DDPA) Adult Oral Health & Well-Being Survey. For many, oral health ranks higher than clear skin and being in shape when it comes to feeling confident.
2. Leaving a great first impression
When you meet someone for the first time, your smile could be the secret to starting off on the right foot. In fact, 65% of adults from the DDPA survey consider a person’s smile to be one of the most significant things they remember from a first impression. Not only do the majority of Americans surveyed claim to be more attracted to people who smile often, but more than half also believe that people who smile are more successful.
3. Maintaining healthy relationships
It’s not just that you brush — it’s also how you brush. No matter who you share a bathroom with, respecting each other’s space is key, especially when it comes to toothbrushes. Adults feel that someone using their toothbrush without asking is one of the top reasons to end a relationship, according to the DDPA survey. Besides offending your roommate or partner, sharing a toothbrush is a surefire way to pass germs like staph and E. coli along with germs that cause cavities. If you’re really in a pinch, using your finger or a clean washcloth is a safer bet.
You might not think about it often, but how you treat your teeth can make a difference in all kinds of relationships. If you’re not happy with your dental health, it’s not too late — schedule a dental appointment today. And remember, for healthy teeth, brush with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day for two minutes at a time and floss at least once daily.
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