Having Bad Teeth Affects Confidence and Wellbeing
A new survey has revealed that having bad teeth has mental health implications, as well as physical.
The research, which was carried out by Oasis Dental Care, revealed that 70 percent of people who have bad teeth feel that it has had a negative impact on their lives; this accounts for over 9 million people.
The survey also found that 14 million people think they have bad teeth, which equates to almost a third of the UK population.
Respondents claimed that the major consequence of having bad teeth was feeling conscious when smiling, with most people admitting that they do not smile as often as they would like to due to the appearance of their teeth.
Almost 40 percent of people said that they try to hide their smile, while 31 percent of people said that their smile has made them less confident, especially in social situations.
One million people claim that their smile is having negative implications for their love lives, while more than 2 million people claim that their smile has contributed to depression.
Julian Perry, clinical director at Oasis Dental Care, said that most people are aware of the health impacts of poor oral hygiene, but there are also mental health implications and as the survey suggests, bad teeth can cause a lack of self-esteem and affect the way people live their lives. Parry added that the concerns go way beyond vanity but stated that there was now a host of treatments and services available to patients to help improve the aesthetic of the smile, which can also help to boost confidence.
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