Social media is steadily redefining young people’s perceptions of healthy and aesthetically acceptable smiles. Researchers from Auckland University of Technology and University of Otago (New Zealand) analyzed the relationship between social media use and adolescent confidence in their dental condition, as well as its impact on psychosocial well-being. The work was motivated by the growing role of digital platforms in shaping young people’s perceptions of appearance and social acceptability. Although there is sufficient research on the impact of social media on body image perception, less attention has been paid to the specifics of dental aesthetics.
The study involved 502 adolescents aged 12 to 17 years and their parents or guardians. The authors analyzed not only attitudes toward the aesthetic aspect of teeth, but also how adolescents feel when smiling, speaking, or being photographed — that is, socially oriented confidence.
The results showed a relationship between low confidence in one’s teeth and greater psychological burden, particularly concerning worry about peer judgment and self-consciousness. Importantly, mere private dissatisfaction with the appearance of teeth (so-called aesthetic concern) did not correlate significantly with psychosocial consequences. This suggests that socially oriented confidence in one’s smile affects adolescent well-being more strongly than their objective assessment of their own teeth.
Active use of social media slightly weakened the relationship between confidence in teeth and reduced psychological anxiety, however passive consumption of content showed no significant effect. Adolescents with a history of orthodontic treatment reported higher confidence, but also increased social and psychological anxiety regarding their teeth — possibly because treatment draws their attention to dental aesthetics.
The authors urge clinicians to go beyond assessing patient satisfaction with the appearance of teeth. Consultations should include questions about comfort during social interactions, as well as the impact of social media content on the adolescent’s expectations.
Specialists are recommended to adjust patient expectations regarding aesthetic results; discuss peer attention to visible orthodontic appliances; reorient the marketing of dental practices. Instead of idealized images of smiles, diverse, realistic examples should be used, emphasizing function, health, and individually appropriate results. As the study’s lead researcher, Dr. Khaled Ibrahim, emphasized, communication about treatment should emphasize oral health and achievable results, rather than the perfect smile.
Dr. Ibrahim emphasized that the findings do not indicate that social media is inherently harmful or that orthodontic treatment causes psychological anxiety. Rather, their impact depends on the social and psychological context in which they are perceived by the adolescent.
«The broader message is that dental well-being extends beyond the condition and appearance of teeth. It includes a young person’s ability to smile, speak, interact, and present themselves without excessive worry about evaluation from others. Recognition of this context allows dentistry to provide care that supports both oral health and adolescent well-being», he concluded.
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