Bullying in Children linked to the Aesthetic of the Smile
A report has linked bullying and low self-esteem in children to the appearance of their teeth. The report suggests that children who have irregular shaped teeth or prominent front teeth are more likely to be bullied and suffer from a lack of confidence than children who have regular smiles.
The report, which has recently been published in the British Dental Journal, was compiled by hospital-based orthodontists. The authors found that children who had certain dental features were more likely to be bullied, which contributed to negative implications for their confidence and self-esteem. The features included a severe overbite, overjet (commonly known as protruding teeth), a cleft lip and crowded teeth.
The authors of the report also highlighted that there was a lack of consideration for the psychological condition of the child during the assessment process for orthodontic treatment. The specialists claim that the assessment process focuses on the aesthetic appearance of the teeth, the impairment caused by the positioning of the teeth and the child’s occlusion.
Professor Damien Walmsley, the British Dental Association’s Scientific Adviser, said that the report highlighted some important issues and claims that it is unsurprising that children form opinions of what is attractive from an early age, as society is very much focused on beauty and appearance these days and there is a strong perception that aesthetics contribute to success. Professor Walmsley claims that the study supports the notion that other factors, including the psychological state of the child, are taken into consideration during the assessment process.
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