Getting ahead in work requires a good work ethic, hard work, and impeccable hygiene. However, sometimes extra factors come into play depending on your personal state. If you have crooked teeth, it might surprise you to learn that they could prevent you from getting that new job or promotion you've been dreaming of.

People Judge

While people aren't supposed to judge others based on their appearances, studies have shown time and time again that they do. In fact, employers often judge people specifically upon their teeth.

Stained, crooked, and chipped or visibly damaged teeth are all looked down upon by at least some employers. If you have crooked teeth, it could be that the friendly smile you flash could be holding you back.

Getting Help Without Visible Braces

Part of the problem you may worry about is how to get braces without having them mar your appearance. After all, if your employer might be turned off by your crooked teeth, chances are they might not like a big mouthful of metal, either.

The good news is that you have options. While once upon a time metal braces were the golden standard and only real choice, there are many more to choose from now.

Two choices, in particular, allow you to get braces without anyone knowing: invisible braces and sublingual braces.

Invisible braces are thin pieces of plastic that slowly shift your teeth back in the direction that they need to go. Sublingual braces are metal braces, but instead of going on the front of your teeth, they're mounted on the backs. This keeps them from being seen by anyone when you talk, eat, or smile.

What to Expect

With either variety of braces, you'll need to visit with an orthodontist. Your orthodontist will perform an examination to ensure that your teeth are healthy. This may include x-rays.

Once your dentist has determined that your teeth are fine, you'll have a mold taken of your mouth. This is so that your orthodontist and the team making your braces will have a perfect 3D image of what your teeth look like so they can determine what needs to move where.

With the mold completed, your path will diverge depending upon what type of braces you get. If you qualify for standard sublingual braces, you might have steps taken to start putting them on in your first visit to the orthodontist's office. With sublingual braces, however, they need to be ordered from a manufacturer to meet your custom needs. As a result, you can expect to come back to the orthodontist's office once they're ready for you.

Getting braces doesn't have to be a big deal, and it doesn't have to make a bad situation worse. If you're tired of the way that your teeth look and don't want to feel self-conscious whenever you smile, then talk to an orthodontics provider about fixing your teeth once and for all.