Disclosure: Thanks to LISTERINE® I’m practicing good oral care as part of a sponsored post for Socialstars #Listerine

Is your mouth on your side? Poor oral health affects aspects of your life that you may not expect. While improper oral health practices deeply affect the health of your mouth, you may be surprised to learn that it also impacts your career opportunities, confidence and relationships with others. Two people in my life immediately come to mind when it comes to how the state of their mouth affected their confidence - my son and my husband. While my son Duncan has always conducted good oral care, he had bucked teeth for a while due to sucking on his hand (vs thumb sucking) since the time he was an infant. Eventually Duncan stopped smiling for pictures and soon enough, he felt that other kids didn't like him because of his teeth. This led to a lot of self esteem issues. Once he was able to get braces, his smile returned and his social relationships have improved. My husband admittedly never had a good oral care routine, which led him to have poor oral health issues like gingivitis, loss of some teeth and cavities. This, too, led him to have self confidence issues and he rarely opens his mouth when he smiles. Sometimes people have mistakenly taken this the wrong way and think that he's in a bad mood or just doesn't care. It's amazing how people perceive things due to our smile. Although he has put a routine into place, he can't reverse the damage already done and often reminds the kids just how important good oral care is from a young age. To highlight the impacts of poor oral health, LISTERINE® Brand executed a nation-wide survey with GFK Roper, a leading marketing insights research firm, to better understand the social implications that it can pose; providing fresh data that will hopefully inspire Americans to reconsider their current oral care routine. Some of those insights include: 3 in 4 Americans say the state of their mouth determines how they look and feel (77%), nearly as much as their weight (78%). I personally, would agree with this. My weight (especially right now after having a baby) makes me very self aware. However, the look and feel of my mouth also plays a role in my self confidence. Healthy pink gums, clean teeth and good breath are just as important to me as the lipstick I don to feel more attractive. Do you feel the same way? More than 8 in 10 Americans feel oral health issues are embarrassing (85%), and more than 9 in 10 say that they feel better overall when their mouth feels clean (93%). Think about it this way - when you first come into your twice yearly dental cleaning, your mouth feels kinda gross. When you walk out, that clean feeling makes you want to smile at everyone who looks your way. Am I right? Brushing your teeth alone misses 75% of your mouth, leaving millions of germs behind. When left untreated, these germs can lead to oral care issues such as plaque and gingivitis. So in between cleanings, the use of a therapeutic mouthwash, like LISTERINE® Antiseptic, is vital to maintaining good oral health. Nearly half of American adults over the age of 30 suffer from gum disease (47.2%). In adults 65 and over, prevalence rates increase to 70%. Not to be gross, but if there is blood when you are brushing your teeth or flossing, chances are that you have gingivitis. This also leads to bad breath as well. Nearly all American adults over the age of 20 have had cavities at some point in their lives (91%) and one in four have untreated cavities (27%). I can't say I know a single person without at least one cavity. Implementing an oral health care routine of brushing, flossing, using mouthwash and twice yearly dental cleanings can help to diminish the chances of getting a cavity. Not eating a ton of sugary treats helps too. About half of all Americans aged 20–64 have lost a tooth due to oral disease (52%). Something I drill into my sons' heads is that if you don't take care of your adult teeth, the only the thing you can be sure of is that you will eventually lose them. Your mouth says a lot about you. In fact, the health of your mouth has a surprising and significant impact on how other people perceive you - from assumptions about your overall health and social life, to opinions about your success in romantic relationships and even your career. I know that sounds dramatic, but it's true. Just think about the people in your life whose smile is, well, vibrant. It tells a story of happiness, success and someone who takes care of themselves. Now think of someone who has issues with their teeth, their gums are grey and their breath isn't exactly smelling like roses. Many would assume that the person is lazy and not really invested in a healthy lifestyle. The way you engage with these two types of people is an indication of your perception - which is most likely an inaccurate one. While more than eight in 10 people think that they have a healthy mouth, the truth is that most Americans suffer from some form of oral disease. Many of the oral care issues that people experience are preventable, and adding LISTERINE® as part of your twice-daily oral care routine can help you transform the health of your mouth so you can put your best self forward and help ensure that your mouth is always on your side. LISTERINE is committed to promoting healthy oral care habits, that’s why they’re partnering with Oral Health America, who’s FALL FOR SMILES campaign is committed to educating the public about the positive impact good oral health can have on one’s overall health and well-being. OHA’s mission is so important to LISTERINE they are jump starting the giving with a $20K donation, with the hopes of reaching $40K through consumer engagement. Has the state of your smile affected you in some way - positive or negative? Please share it in the comments! Engage with LISTERINE® on social media: Facebook: Facebook.com/listerine Twitter: @ListerineGlobal Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! All data referenced in this post was provided by the LISTERINE® Brand Survey. To learn more, please go to www.listerine.com/health-mouth-vs-unhealthy-mouth