I was not your typical teen. My mom was a pediatric dentist. I watched as she helped thousands of kids get, and keep, their beautiful smiles. Braces excited me. Even the idea of headgear was appealing. I begged for it!
Like I said: not your typical teen.
One reason for my orthodontic appliance excitement was that, because of the work my mom and her colleagues did, I could easily see a result. I heard endless stories about how patients were more confident after all the hard work was over. As a teen, I associated braces with confidence, not disaster. (Breakouts before the big dance? That was another story.)
Our teens and children could use a confidence boost these days. According to DoSomething.org, an organization that helps young people create social change:
- Three-quarters of girls with low self-esteem reported engaging in negative activities like cutting, bullying, smoking, drinking, or disordered eating.
- More than 40 percent of boys in middle and high school regularly exercise with the expressing goal of increasing muscle mass (not being healthy).
- About 20 percent of teens experience depression before they reach adulthood.
The power and relentlessness of social media makes it even more difficult for teens to feel confident, but there is another issue that worries me. Boys and girls are able to rely on camera filters to hide every flaw. If they can change their appearance with an app, why explore changes that actually would improve their health and wellbeing?
Getting braces, Invisalign, and BRIUS are not just about creating a better selfie — it’s about creating a strong smile that reflects better health. As the American Association of Orthodontists says, “Oral health is a window into your overall health. … A good bite makes it easier for you to bite, chew and speak.” We even know now that routine dental care might protect against severe cases of COVID-19.
My young patients’ glee often is infectious once their orthodontic appliance comes off. But that glee is not confined to the kiddos.
I’ve been welcoming more and more adults into my office who are exploring orthodontia. These men and women either skipped braces as kids, or need a little tune up because they didn’t wear their retainers to keep their teeth in place. Often they are not just looking for a better smile, though. Perhaps a bite that has been off is now causing severe jaw pain.
There are many reasons people pursue orthodontia as an adult. Whatever the reason, they are as happy with the results as teens. I want my patients to walk out of the office feeling like they can do anything.
That is the power of good self-esteem. I love this line from Confidence Code authors Claire Shipman, Katty Kay, and Jillellyn Riley in The Atlantic: “Confidence is an essential ingredient for turning thoughts into action, wishes into reality.”
Having a beautiful smile obviously is not the single ingredient we need to build young peoples’ confidence, but it helps. As a recent article in Shape explained:
“Research suggests that dental disorders such as malocclusion (misaligned teeth) can cause a ‘profound impact’ on self-esteem, thereby negatively affecting the overall quality of life. While studies show this to be more common in adolescents (especially given their age and ‘increased aesthetic desire’ and ‘unique social and physiological needs’), a 2019 poll of 2,000 people emphasizes that adults are also subject to insecurities around their teeth. The study, conducted by OnePull and funded by teeth-whitening company Snow, found that seven in 10 Americans are self-conscious about their teeth, and 50 percent try to smile with their mouths closed (perhaps as a result).”
In addition to improving health and self-confidence, we know that straighter, whiter teeth can impact employment prospects and perceptions of leadership capability.
According to a survey by Kelton and Invisalign, Americans perceive those with straight teeth to be 45 percent more likely than those with crooked teeth to get a job when competing with someone who has a similar skill set and experience. Additionally, 73 percent of Americans would be more likely to trust someone with a straight smile than someone with a good job, outfit, or car.
So, skip the trendy new shoes. Come in for a consult instead so we can discuss how to create lasting confidence.
