Why You Absolutely Need Teeth Whitening for a Job Interview (2024)

The status of your teeth is important for job interview success. Here's why you need dental whitening for a job interview to go smoothly.

Why You Absolutely Need Teeth Whitening for a Job Interview (1)

People are drawn to a bright, gorgeous smile. Whether they realize it or not, we've been taught since childhood that a bright smile signifies happiness and self-assurance. It's also a sign of healthiness, youthfulness, and vitality, which are even better qualities to show in an interview.

On a social level, white teeth signify that your professional appearance is important to you. That's partially why, by 2032, the teeth whitening industry is expected to be valued at $10.7 billion.

When you arrive for a job interview, people receive you based on your appearance. Everyone from security to the receptionist to the hiring manager is forming an opinion about you.

Although many teeth-whitening products exist, most people still consider it a luxury. Whitening your teeth is great for any industry. Still, it's especially helpful if you're looking to enter a customer-facing position.

Keep reading to learn why teeth whitening should be part of your job interview prep.

Prepping For a Job Interview

We've heard the saying that you only have one chance to make a good first impression. Your teeth don't just tell your story with a smile. They tell your social status, overall health, personal hygiene, age, and lifestyle.

Poor oral hygiene is not just a red flag on a job interview. It's been linked to dementia, stroke, heart attack, or other serious cardiovascular event.



It's no surprise that more people are re-evaluating their dental habits and considering teeth whitening. A poor first impression can diminish your chances before the interview starts.

Give Your Confidence a Boost

You've completed the application, made it through the job screening, and finally gotten the call for a job interview. Later that evening, you look in the mirror and wonder if cosmetic dentistry will improve your chances of getting the job.

Studies have connected a beautiful smile with increased self-confidence. If it's true, what does poor oral hygiene and stained or missing teeth say to a prospective employer? Maybe you're neglecting your routine dentalcare.

You won't have time to get a crown, dental implants, or braces. However, dental whitening can greatly improve the appearance of your teeth.

Don't draw attention to your teeth by covering your mouth. Hiding your smile is one of the biggest indicators of low self-esteem, directly related to how you feel about your teeth.



Whitening your teeth can give your self-esteem an instant booth. You'll have more confidence to smile and fully engage in the interview. Once you land the job, you can invest in more restorative dental procedures, if needed.

Why Should You Try Dental Whitening?

If your teeth aren't looking their best, and you have enough time, you may want to try a tooth whitening procedure. A whitening procedure changes the color of your teeth and removes discoloration.

The most common reasons teeth become discolored or stained are poor oral hygiene, tobacco use, and sugary foods and drinks such as coffee, tea, sports drinks, and berries.

Dental whitening is a term used to describe a range of treatments used to whiten teeth. The goal is to make your natural teeth look whiter and brighter.

Tooth sensitivity is one side effect of teeth whitening. Another is gum irritation. These side effects often correlate with your overall oral health.

Some teeth whitening treatments include the following type of processes.

OTC Whitening Products

You'll find many over-the-counter (OTC) whitening products at the pharmacy. Whitening strips, gels, and toothpaste are some of the most popular products.

Most of these products claim to be "enhanced" to make teeth whitening easier and faster. Some people who have used them say they've had disappointing results.

There is a difference between in-office and at-home whitening products. The main one is the chemicals used.

In-office products use more hydrogen peroxide for a shorter period. OTC whitening products use less effective carboxamide peroxide for a longer time.

OTC products are usually slower, taking several weeks or even months to achieve the desired whitening results. In addition, the whitening results only last one to two weeks.

Home Kits

Home whitening kits can come as a whitening gel or a whitening paste. You apply the product to your teeth with a brush or sticky strips.

You may get a mouthguard to place on your teeth. It comes with a heat lamp, blue light, or UV light inside the mouthguard.

A mouthguard can allow the whitening agent to remain on your teeth longer, increasing absorption. The active ingredients in in-home whitening kits have a lower concentration than those found in dentists' offices. As a result, you'll need to use your kit every day for a few weeks to see results.

When used incorrectly, home kits can have negative impacts, like burns or temporary bleached gums.

The majority of at-home kits advertise results within two to four weeks.

Cosmetic Dentistry

A dentist can whiten your teeth faster. The whitening solution is stronger than the bleaching solution used in OTC kits. Heat, light, or a combination of both may also speed up and increase dental whitening.

The most dramatic dental whitening results happen in teeth between three and eight shades brighter. In-office whitening takes several 30-to-60-minute appointments. Or your dentist may use methods that can be completed in a two-hour visit.

Tooth whitening can cause temporary tooth sensitivity.



The process is best for those with yellowing-stained teeth. It's less effective for those with severely damaged teeth due to poor oral hygiene or tooth decay. It also does not work in cosmetic dentistry like crowns and implants.

Make a Great First Impression

No matter what you choose to do for a job interview, you don't need to feel embarrassed about your smile. What's most important is that your smile is always healthy.

Many people find that whitening their teeth boosts their self-esteem. Regular dental care can do way more for your personal and professional appearance.



Broadway Cosmetic Dentistry, PA, welcomes new patients, emergencies, and second opinions. If you're in or near Tarrytown, NY, make today the day youbook an online appointmentto upgrade your smile.

Why You Absolutely Need Teeth Whitening for a Job Interview (2024)

FAQs

Why You Absolutely Need Teeth Whitening for a Job Interview? ›

It's also a sign of healthiness, youthfulness, and vitality, which are even better qualities to show in an interview. On a social level, white teeth signify that your professional appearance is important to you.

What makes you a good candidate for teeth whitening? ›

If you struggle with dull or yellowed teeth that cannot be easily whitened with regular brushing and flossing, then you are a great candidate for teeth whitening treatment. Teeth whitening is suitable for any type of discoloration, including age-related yellowness and stains caused by coffee and cigarettes.

How important is teeth whitening? ›

Professional teeth whitening can provide many benefits, including making your smile look more attractive and boosting your self-confidence. Professional teeth whitening can also help remove deep stains that regular brushing cannot remove.

Why are you passionate about dentistry? ›

Factors like helping others learn about their oral health and providing compassionate care show the interviewer your passion and empathy. Because caring for patients requires the ability to communicate and connect with others, these traits are also important indicators of your inspiration for choosing dentistry.

What is teeth whitening and its benefits? ›

Teeth whitening refers to a variety of processes that aim to make someone's natural teeth appear brighter and whiter. Teeth whitening methods include sanding down stains, bleaching, ultraviolet (UV) light therapy, and more. Many different teeth whitening products are available, and you can try many approaches at home.

How do you explain teeth whitening? ›

Tooth whitening is any process that lightens the color of a tooth. Whitening may be accomplished by physical removal of the stain or a chemical reaction to lighten the tooth color. Bleaching is defined here as the chemical degradation of the chromogens.

What are the strengths of teeth whitening? ›

Tooth whitening is most often done using peroxide-based bleaching agents. At-home systems contain from 3% to 20% peroxide (carbamide or hydrogen peroxides). In-office systems contain from 15% to 43% peroxide. Generally, the stronger the solution and the longer you keep it on your teeth, the whiter your teeth become.

Why does everyone want white teeth? ›

Perhaps this is because white teeth appear healthier and cleaner. Some scientists also guess that having white teeth is a sign of good genetics, which is attractive to potential mates. Dr. Keltner says a white smile is “the intense focus of what other people look at, and a sign of our warmth, confidence, and health.”

Does teeth whitening make you look better? ›

Whiter teeth can make you look younger. As teeth naturally discolour with age, having bright white teeth will give you a more youthful appearance.

What are the pros and cons of teeth whitening? ›

Whitening Strips

Pros: Strips are inexpensive compared to most other methods. Cons: The strips only reach the front six teeth; they can irritate the gums; some users complain of sensitivity.

How to answer dentistry interview questions? ›

Make yourself sound unique, bring out your strengths, relate them to dentistry and speak about your experiences. Back up every fact with evidence and support answers with ways you've demonstrated it. Don't sound overtly academic and be sure to mention extra-curricular activities.

How to answer why do you want to be a dentist? ›

Personal experience. Finally, you might have a very specific personal experience that you've had, which is a main driver for why you want to do dentistry. Maybe an interaction that you had with a dentist, or something that you witnessed in shadowing that you think is unique to the field or really left a mark on you.

Why is teeth whitening so popular? ›

Teeth Whitening Is The Most Popular Procedure For Cosmetic Dentists. An essential thing on your face people notice is your smile. According to research, white-colored smiles are more attractive. Scientists found that people think pearly white teeth are more beautiful than teeth that are yellow or uneven.

Do I really need teeth whitening? ›

Do you really need teeth whitening, in the same way that you need other dental treatments? No, of course not. It is not something that is going to correct decay, or fix a bad bite, or cure gum disease, or alleviate any of the other dental conditions that actually require treatment. But it can improve your life.

Did you know facts about teeth whitening? ›

Allow us to educate you on the complicated & often misleading world of teeth whitening.
  • Your teeth are like sponges…they absorb. ...
  • Teeth whitening does not damage your teeth. ...
  • The key to teeth whitening is the delivery device. ...
  • Custom-fitted whitening trays cost $500+ from a. ...
  • Sensitivity after teeth whitening is normal.

What disqualifies you from teeth whitening? ›

Results are usually dramatic and, with touch-ups at home, last indefinitely. People with healthy teeth and gums are typically good candidates for teeth whitening. Gum disease, multiple restorations, and extensive decay disqualify individuals from this cosmetic procedure.

Who is not a good candidate for teeth whitening? ›

Not everyone is the right candidate for teeth whitening. For example, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should wait to get whitening. People who have dental bridges or crowns may want to talk to their dentist before considering whitening. Children should be at least 16 to get this type of treatment.

What would make you ineligible for teeth whitening? ›

Patients with the following conditions or circ*mstances may not be the best candidates: Pregnant and lactating women. People who have restorations such as fillings, implants, crowns and dental bridges. Children under 16 years of age.

What are the criteria for teeth whitening? ›

Dentists want prospective patients to meet two criteria before teeth whitening procedures. First, the patient has to be free of cavities. Next, they have to be free from gum disease. Occasionally, teeth whitening causes slight inflammation of the gums.

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