The Importance of a Good Set of Teeth

Photo by Randy Kinne on Unsplash

Teeth—you love what they do for you, but if you don’t take care of them you may find that they can be a lot more trouble than you would think. With teeth, you only get two chances to get it right. Unfortunately, many people fail to use either of these chances to take care of their teeth, in fact, more than 1 in 4 adults in the United States show untreated tooth decay. You may already have a couple of reasons why you want to beautify your teeth, but there may be more reasons you should add to your list.

Job Interviews

            A study performed in Israel showed how people with bad teeth unintentionally communicated that they had limited intelligence, were less professional, not as attractive and lacking socially during first impressions. Job interviews are one example of when a first impression really matters. Employers want to find the most intelligent and capable person to fulfill their position, and if you communicate a limited intelligence and lacking professionalism, you aren’t going to get the job. Putting your best foot forward during an interview includes your smile.

Dates

            You might be thinking about the health problems associated with teeth, but have you considered how your teeth will affect your search for a future partner?  One study found that two in five Americans would not go on a second date with someone who has crooked teeth. Many Americans believe that teeth standout when meeting someone for the first time and, just like in job interviews, attracting a partner can be strongly affected by your smile.

Live Longer

According to dentalhealth.org, research has shown that the number of teeth you have can determine the length of your life. If someone has 20 teeth or more at the age of 70 it’s significantly more likely that they will live longer than those with less than 20 teeth. Luckily, with daily oral hygiene, you can keep your teeth for life and live longer.

Speech

Your teeth can change the way you speak. Your voice is affected by the way your teeth meet, and crowding or missing teeth will change the way you sound. Crowded teeth can cause you to slur because there is less room for your tongue to move around. Bad habits such as grinding teeth can damage your jaw and impede the clarity in your speech patterns.

Healthier Lives

            Healthy gums and teeth can reduce dementia and forms of cancer. According to dentalhealth.org, a study showed that women between ages 54 and 86 with gum disease had a 14% greater likelihood to develop cancer. People with gum disease have also been 70% more likely to get Alzheimer’s disease than others. Many other diseases such as “diabetes, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease” are more likely to occur when 5 or more teeth have been lost by the age of 65.

Job Interviews, dates, longer lives, speech impediments, and all-around health seem to all be positively affected by the health of your teeth. Whether you fully commit to improving the teeth you have or you maintain the oral hygiene and habits you already formed, you will see improvements in your life both socially or physically.