Appearance Matters - What is Hiding in Your Smile - CareerAlley

Appearance Matters - What is Hiding in Your Smile - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you. Walt Disney Read more at BrainyQuote.com As any interviewee knows, its common protocol to send a thank you note after the interview. But did you know that its just as important to brush your teeth right before you arrive for the interview? Just like with dating, an interviewees dental hygiene is often a big turn on or off for future employers. For some employers, they view it as insight into your detail orientation, and it can illustrate how much you care about yourself as well as what you put into the your work. However, its not as hard as it sounds. You dont need to invest in expensive cosmetic dentistry to get a healthy smile ready to show off. Here are some tips to use your pearly whites to get the job of your dreams. Whiten Your Teeth: One of the easiest and most effective things you can do to spruce up your smile is to brighten it. After all, its the first thing people notice when they see you. Over-the-counter whitening atrips, which start at around $30 a box, are great ways to make a sparkling change. If you are looking for a bigger and more long-term investment, in-office whitening, which starts at about $600, is a sure way to boost your confidence and potentially help you land the job. Keep Supplies On Hand: Take the time to find a sugar-free gum or mint candy that you love, and that can be easily stashed in your pocket, purse, or desk drawer for daily use. This not only keeps teeth clean, but helps to avoid the normal symptom of a nervous reaction, dry mouth. But remember to remove the gum or mint right before the interviewchomping away is not a good first impression. It also pays to have a mini-toothbrush and travel toothpaste around to do a quick scrub post lunch. Nothing is better than a fresh polishon your teeth, that is. Watch What You Put in Your Mouth: It sounds easier said than done, but dont eat smelly foods if you know youre walking into important meetings or interviews. If you know youre consulting with a possible employer at 2pm, it might be best to avoid dishes heavy in garlic or onions for lunch. No matter how much scrubbing with a tooth brush or how much gum you chew, itll be difficult to get rid of the smell. The job hunting process is hard enough as is so do yourself a favor and stick to something benign and easy to brush away, like fruit with yogurt. Save certain foods for your job acceptance party! Guest Blogger Shoshana Davis is a freelance writer for TopDentists.com, an online dental resource. This is a Guest post. If you would like to submit a guest post to CareerAlley, please follow these guest post guidelines. Good luck in your search. Visit me on Facebook