Pictured above: Dr Emily Wright BDS
A leading county dental practice is advising workers to get a
good toothbrush and lay off the coffee and red wine if they want to
get a new job or be promoted.
Dentists at The Dental Spa in Shrewsbury say research has shown
that, second to those with body odour, people with bad breath or
badly stained teeth are most likely to be damaging their career
prospects - often without realising it.
Speaking about one of the biggest "taboo" subjects in modern
society, Dr Emily Wright BDS, a dentist at the Oxon Business Park
practice, said: "A surprising proportion of the population suffer
from bad breath, usually as a result of untreated gum disease.
Sadly though, people rarely talk about it. Instead they just avoid
those who have it. Which of course means managers and business
owners are avoiding staff who are probably both capable and worthy
of appointment or promotion."
The reality of this fact bites even harder when you consider
that gum disease is most common in middle aged and older people -
the generation hardest hit by job loss or job by-pass.
"As you get older," explains Emily, "your gums can recede and
pockets can develop around the teeth, collecting bacteria every
time you eat. When this happens the bacteria cannot be removed by
using just an ordinary toothbrush. But with the correct equipment,
good instruction on how to use it and regular visits to the dentist
and hygienist, the problem can usually be managed and the
embarrassment of bad breath can be avoided."