Self-esteem is a precious thing. With it, it feels like you can conquer the world. Without it, it feels like you’re down in the dumps. Self-esteem seems to be tied to our many physical attributes. If you don’t look like others and are different in a special way, self-consciousness can eat away at your confidence unless you embrace it. Having an imperfect smile is one such physical attribute that can erode your self-esteem.

It doesn’t take much to get someone to show their teeth. A good joke, a cute video on Facebook, or a wince can easily bring them out of hiding. Depending on the condition of your smile, these actions can have a positive or negative effect on your self-esteem.

The Consequences of Bad Teeth

Imperfect teeth often bring out insecurity in most people. When you have stained, protruding, missing, or crooked teeth, you may be reluctant to smile and reveal those imperfections. Repressing smiles can have a negative effect on your overall happiness and mood. If someone feels really insecure, they may avoid photographs, public get-togethers, and face-to-face interactions entirely.

Although first impressions aren’t necessarily reflective of the actual person, people respond well to properly aligned teeth. This statement is especially true in Canadian culture.A study done by Kelton revealed that aligned teeth positively affect perceptions of intelligence, popularity, and general health. Roughly two-thirds of people are more likely to recall attractive features than unpleasant ones. Another survey found 92% of respondents believe a pretty smile is a vital societal asset.

Having missing teeth can also make a person seem older than their actual age. Cheeks can sink into the mouth, and wrinkles can appear easier. These changes to a person’s appearance can cause anxiety, for one would be worrying what friends, family, and coworkers think of them. What makes it harder is that one-third of people claim the first aspect of a person’s face they notice is their teeth.

Children can also be impacted by a poor smile, suffering from self-esteem problems at the hands of bullies. They can be cruel, making fun of kids with gaps or crooked teeth or of the instruments used to try and correct those problems (braces). These experiences can lead children to feel embarrassed around friends and classmates, as well as shy in social situations. They may feel isolated from others and could be reluctant to join school or outside activities.

Correcting an Imperfect Smile

If your self-esteem is suffering due to your imperfect smile, Dr. Jason Harvey can fix it for you. If your teeth are stained, we can perform whitening treatments to get them looking their best. If they are crooked, we can outfit you with non-metal braces, such as Invisalign or Six Month Smiles, so you won’t feel self-conscious. If a missing tooth is your problem, we can fit you with an implant to make your smile whole again. No matter your problem, we’ll have a solution for you.