Wearing comfortable shoes in the workplace, especially if you are a dentist or other staff member, is one of the smartest moves you can make. While you do want to project a professional image, that doesn’t mean your feet have to suffer. If you think that choosing footwear for looks only and with no regard for cushioning and support, consider these seven reasons for wearing only comfortable shoes. At least a couple of them are bound to apply to you.

Avoid Feet Tingling During the Workday

Shoes that are too tight, have no spare room in the toe box, and offer no real support will eventually lead to some degree of nerve damage. Many people note that the first signs of trouble appear when they notice a slight tingling between the big toe and the next toe. If you keep wearing those shoes, the tingling will occur sooner in the day and spread to other areas of the foot. Head off this problem by finding comfortable shoes that look fine with your uniform and fit properly.

Minimize Leg Pain

Being on your feet most of the day takes a toll. That’s especially true when you’re walking on hard surfaces and keeping a brisk pace between exam rooms. Eventually, you’ll notice that your lower legs are beginning to ache a bit. Since sitting down for a time is not always possible, the best solution is to choose comfortable shoes for dentists that prevent the leg pain in the first place.

A More Confident Gait

Patients look to dentists and other staff members for reassurance that root canals, extractions, and other procedures will go well. It’s hard to maintain an air of confidence when your shoes hurt the feet. Instead of being able to confidently stride through the office and present an image of perfect composure, you find yourself limping or holding onto the wall as you make your way from room to room. For the sake of your patients as well as yourself, go out any buy some sort of dentist footwear that will help you set and maintain the right impression.

Less Opportunity for Blisters

No one is fan of blisters. They hurt even after you apply ointment to them. Continued irritation to the blistered area will only make things worse. They may become so irritated that they pop. When that happens, you’re really in for a full dose of pain.

If you are tired of having to place adhesive bandages over your blisters before slipping on your shoes for work, it’s time to dump the old pair and find something new. This time, place more emphasis on support, proper size, and cushioning and less on how trendy those new shoes happen to be.

One Less Reason for Fatigue

You’re tired at the work day, and it’s not just because of difficult patients or being on the run for most of your eight hours. It’s not even the time you had to stand for an hour or so while taking care of a patient. Your choice of footwear has a lot to do with the fatigue.

Since you chose to go with shoes that look great but offer little in the way of support, your legs got tired. That in turn put a greater strain on the rest of the body. By the time the last patient goes home, even your brain feels worn out. Before enduring another day like that, spend some time finding dentists shoes that will ease the stress on your feet and in turn the rest of your body. It’ll make quitting time even more pleasant.

Keep Your Mood Balanced

Have you ever made the connection between physical discomfort and your mood? The fact is that if your feet are hurting, your legs are aching, and your lower back is beginning to feel the effects of those attractive but bad choice of shoes, it’s only a matter of time before your happy mood is out the door.

Will comfortable boots for a dentist really make a difference? The only way to know for sure is to buy a new pair that’s comfortable and takes the stress off your feet and legs. In a day or two, you’ll notice that little things don’t bother you as much, and it’s easier to exercise patience with a co-worker or a patient who would get on your last nerve in the past.

You Can Still Go Out After Work

A whole day of wearing uncomfortable shoes doesn’t leave much energy for anything after work. The only thing you want to do is get to the car, take off those horrible shoes, and drive home. At best, stopping at a fast food place and placing an order at the drive-through window is the sole after work activity you want to engage in.

Along with the lack of safety that comes with driving without shoes, there is no reason why you have to put off errands or meeting friends for a drink or meal until the weekend. Buy a pair of new work shoes that provide the right amount of support and gently massage your feet throughout the day. You’ll find that when it’s time to go home, you feel up to going out for a little while first.

Your feet are intended to last a lifetime. Why create hardship by wearing shoes that may look great but could cause short-term pain and long-term problems with them? If you find that it’s necessary to soak your feet every night, it’s time to make some changes. Compare different types of shoes that are in line with the office dress code, choose a pair known for high quality and plenty of support, and add them to your collection. After wearing them for a week, you’ll be amazed at the difference.