Reality TV and social media affecting people with imperfect teeth
SELF-conscious Geordies have little to smile about when it comes to the state of their teeth - and social media apps are adding to anxieties, a new survey has found.
Down in the mouth Geordies are so insecure about dental deficiencies that a quarter (25%) never showing their teeth in photos, while one in 11 (9%) have been reduced to tears because of how their teeth look.
Renowned dentist Dr Martina Karlo of Dentelli clinic, which commissioned the research, said glamourous reality TV shows like Love Island and Made in Chelsea could be responsible for Brits' heartache over their substandard smiles.
She added: “Our UK patients regularly tell us how they now see themselves through social media and video calls and it appears Love Island and celebrity culture has changed perceptions of how the ‘ideal smile’ looks.
“It is clear that many Brits are in limbo, unable to get the treatment they want and that has a drastic, negative impact on their lives.
“I’d say without any hesitation that people in the UK are more conscious of their teeth than ever before, something that is backed up by these findings.
“Happily, modern dentistry can deliver a positive and life-affirming change for people who see their smile transformed.”
In an era of Instagram, social media influencers and dating apps, the survey established that one in 20 Brits have had serious fallouts with friends for posting images that show their teeth unfavourably.
Research also delved into how dental aesthetics affect an individual’s chance of finding love – 10% of Geordies said they would not date someone with teeth they considered bad. Meanwhile, one in 25 (4%) admitted they automatically reject people on dating apps because of their teeth.
Detailed research conducted by Opinion Matters surveyed 2011 nationally representative UK respondents aged 16 and over. It found that 25% of people in Newcastle are unhappy with their overall smile, a percentage that rises to 29% who are unhappy with the condition of their teeth.
The startling results reveal that image-conscious Geordies spend huge amounts of time frowning about the appearance of their mouths – an average 39 minutes per week worrying about their pearly whites and 47 minutes comparing their teeth to others.
Meanwhile, the positive impact of an improved smile was found to be huge, with 43.5% of respondents admitting they would feel “much more confident” if they had better teeth.
Dr Karlo believes the research explains why her Croatian clinic has seen an influx of British patients in the wake of negative reports about “Turkey teeth”. Based in the sunshine resort of Split, the hi-tech Dentelli clinic is governed by strict EU dental regulations.
She added: “Every year we see more patients from the UK. Most want treatments they can’t afford at home. We transform their smile, bite, and oral health and that literally changes their life for the better, bringing increased happiness and confidence.”
Visiting Croatia is significantly cheaper than comparative treatment in the UK and crowns, veneers and dental implants are the most popular procedures, with British patients spending an average of £5,320 (€6,000) on treatments at the clinic.
The survey found that one in 20 Geordies (5%) had considered flying abroad for treatment, but various worries prevented many from following through. More than a third (35%) are worried about costs, while one in nine (11%) are concerned about healthcare standards abroad and one in 14 (7%) fear results would not look natural.
However, Dr Karlo added: “Unlike some of the cheaper dental tourism hotspots, Croatia is bound by incredibly strict EU laws and regulations. Safety and standards are paramount, which gives patients peace of mind they simply cannot get in places like Turkey.”
Dr Karlo has invested more than a million Euros in her state-of-the-art practice. Dentelli was founded in October 2019 and has an annual turnover of €2 million (£1.78m). The clinic carries out 17,000 procedures each year and most of its 28-strong team – from dentists and nurses to technicians and hygienists – speak fluent English.
In 2022, Split airport welcomed 500,000 British passengers, 17% of its total visitor count, making the UK its second biggest market.