It seems that the old adage that “straight teeth in your mouth is more important than the words that come out of it” remains true - at least when it comes to job interviews and promotions. A recent study by the The British Dental Association found that bad teeth can dramatically hinder job applicants at interview. When surveyed, 83% of respondents agreed that visibly decayed or missing teeth and bad breath would disadvantage applicants to a client facing role (eg. customer service, reception, solicitor). In fact, respondents would rather see an interviewee looking unkempt than lacking in dental hygiene. Bad teeth and breath were found to be the biggest hurdles to career advancement. Bad teeth and career prospects The report found that: 70% rated visibly decayed or missing teeth as a hindrance to gaining employment in client facing roles 62% rated bad breath as a hindrance to gaining employment in client facing roles 83% agreed that these factors are disadvantageous in a job interview for these roles 62% agreed that these factors would harm an interviewee’s chance in any role 60% agreed that these factors would hinder promotion prospects   Options for improving your smile, and your career prospects! If you’ve got a “bad smile” it’s likely that you feel self conscious not just in job interviews but in everyday interactions. So many of our cosmetic dentistry clients come to us because they want to feel more confident in social situation, first dates and when interviewing. Luckily dental technology has made leaps and bounds in recent years and there are some quick, simple fixes available. Crowns and Veneers Dark teeth and teeth that have suffered such decay that they cannot be saved by fillings… these are the main hindrances to climbing the corporate ladder. Veneers are placed in a cosmetic procedure called a “smile makeover”. Your new look tooth is colour matched to your existing teeth and bonded to the discoloured tooth. A crown is a ceramic or metal “tooth cover” that gives at flawless look - so it’s ideal for teeth front and centre of your smile. Learn more about cosmetic dentistry. Implants, Bridges and Dentures Implants replace missing teeth for a smoother smile, and for easier chewing! They’re tough and permanent. Bridges are also permanently placed but may need further maintenance in the future. Old fashioned dentures (or false teeth as they’re commonly known) are the most affordable option but can be fiddly and inconvenient. They’re also prone to making existing mouth issues worse. Learn more here. Zoom Whitening Attention coffee addicts and cigarette smokers! Zoom Whitening is ideal for removing “lifestyle stains” from your teeth. If you don’t want to advertise that you smoke a pack and drink five cups a day,...

Halitosis can be a serious condition. It can be a sign of something wrong in your digestive system or an early indicator of diseases of the mouth. It’s one of the most ignored signs of disease because sufferers find it an embarrassing condition. There’s a simple halitosis test that is non-invasive, quick and scientifically proven to get to the heart of the problem – and Robert Duhig Dental has one of the few testing apparatus in Queensland. Testing bad breath for chemical signatures A halitosis test is designed to detect chemical signatures in your mouth. These signatures can then be used to determine the kind of bacteria causing sour breath so we can put a treatment plan in place. Bacterial imbalance in the mouth is usually caused by anaerobic bacteria that cause minor breakdowns of tissue in the mouth, the results are hydrogen sulphide, methyl mercaptan and dimethyl sulphide – stinky gasses that cause bad breath. These anaerobic bacteria are hardy little suckers too – often immune to mouthwash and anti-biotics. If you’ve found that no matter how much brushing you do, you still suffer halitosis, a solution may be one simple appointment away.   Often treatment is as simple as using pro-biotic lozenges for a couple of weeks. If there is a deeper problem, including gum disease, your dental hygienist can usually help you put a plan in place to reverse the effects. Your halitosis check Your halitosis check is a simple procedure. A dental hygienist will first explain what you need to know about the test and ask you some questions about your halitosis. Halitosis can be caused by rapid weight loss diets, medications, certain foods – not just your dental hygiene regime. Next your dentist will do a basic examination of your teeth and gums to ensure there’s no underlying causes such as gingivitis or periodontal gum disease. This quick, simple examination could prevent long term and costly dental problems. A sample of your breath will then be taken via a syringe (no needle required!) and then inputted into the gas analysis machine for testing. The testing machine then generates a print out of the breakdown of gasses in your mouth. Your dentist will analyse the make-up of your mouth’s “eco-system” and determine the underlying problem. In most cases, the diagnosis will be an imbalance of “good bacteria” in your mouth. This allows for pockets of “bad bacteria” to build up. Treatment and prognosis On rare occasions, your dentist may refer you to your GP for further testing. This may be when a bad breath issue is likely linked to an underlying health issue. Treatment is usually pro-biotic dental lozenges and an adjustment to your dental...