Did you know that in the UK an estimated 17 million selfies are posted every week on social media? Given the sheer volume of photos that we’re posting you’d be safe to assume that we’re not shy when it comes to smiling for the camera. But to our surprise, a study from the Oral Health Foundation has found that less than a third of people are likely to pose for a photograph with an open mouth smile because of their teeth.
Selfies and a lack of smile confidence
The Oral Health Foundation’s recent study highlighted discoloured and crooked teeth to be the major causes of our less than toothy smiling photos. In addition, research from White Glo found that 41% of Brits are unhappy with their smiles. These findings, suggesting that we might be too ashamed of our teeth to take selfies, is worrying for dentists like us and healthcare professionals. Smiling is deeply connected with self-esteem and confidence, and that people are uncomfortable smiling due to their oral health, could have a negative impact upon their mental health and wellbeing.
However, despite being unhappy with our smiles, over half of UK adults admit to only brushing their teeth once a day. Maintaining good oral health is key to improving confidence in our smiles, and luckily it’s easy to achieve. Here are some top tips for maintaining good oral health and a healthy, happy smile for all those selfies!
Uphold a proper oral health care routine
Although we should all be pros with a toothbrush given how frequently we brush our teeth, a lot of us may not be getting a proper clean. It’s essential to brush your teeth for a full two minutes, before you go to bed and at one other point in the day. Use a fluoride toothpaste, as this will help to protect your teeth from decay, as well as dental floss and mouthwash to thoroughly clean in between teeth and around the gums. For more advice or to arrange for a professional clean, please contact our dental team.
As well as properly brushing our teeth, our smiles can benefit from us making healthier lifestyle choices, such as cutting down on how often we consume sugar. It’s also essential to regularly visit the dentist, so that oral health problems can be prevented or spotted at an early stage and effectively managed.
Cosmetic treatments to transform your teeth and smile
If your teeth and gums are healthy, yet discoloured, crooked, gapped, tilted or misaligned teeth are stopping you from smiling with confidence, we also offer a range of cosmetic dental treatments to improve your smile such as teeth whitening, fast braces, implants and veneers. We’d be happy to run through your individual needs and help you find the best, most cost-effective solution for shaping your new happier smile. To find out more, you can call the Southview Dental Care team on 01732 865021 or email: [email protected].
