David Radar

Health & Medicine
4 MIN READ

How Are Your Teeth and Self-Confidence Related?

Cite This
David Radar, (2023, January 1). How Are Your Teeth and Self-Confidence Related?. Psychreg on Health & Medicine. https://www.psychreg.org/how-are-your-teeth-self-confidence-related/
Reading Time: 4 minutes

People all across the world are increasingly promoting body positivity, yet the stigma associated with poor oral health persists. Confidence and the uninhibited ability to laugh and smile are hallmarks of oral health in humans. Having confidence in yourself and your appearance is strongly linked to your degree of happiness, which in turn may be increased by a beautiful smile.

In our talks with dentist Dr. Mazarei we learned that smiling triggers the body’s natural supply of feel-good endorphins, according to research. So, taking proper care of the teeth on a regular basis is crucial if you want to have a great smile.

Poor dental hygiene might give the incorrect impression. Because of the importance of making a good first impression, it’s crucial to project an air of self-assurance. It is hard to overlook one’s teeth, therefore if you don’t take care of them, others will notice when you talk to new people. You may feel your mood plummet at the mere sight of their gaze. However, when your teeth are in fantastic shape, you’ll feel great about yourself and that will rub off on others around you.

Loss of confidence due to dental problems

Crooked teeth, malocclusion, discoloured teeth, and other common dental issues may all erode self-esteem and cause you to doubt your own worth.

Problems with your teeth cause you unhappiness.  A toothache, for instance, is the result of problems with one’s teeth. If you’ve lost the ability to communicate, smile, and act normally, your sense of self-worth will continue to decline. The consequences of dental problems are often dire.

Smile and the odds are that people will recall your teeth more than anything else about your face. In fact, many current aesthetic movements center on one’s dental appearance. For instance, crooked teeth are considered a sign of endearment in countries like Japan. 

Dying one’s teeth black and polishing them smooth is a common practice in several cultures. Additionally, some civilizations use deliberate tooth loss to either attain a certain appearance or to signify one’s social standing.

In spite of this, the conventional ideal of a perfect set of white teeth remains the standard to which everyone aspires. Models are often seen in advertisements, both printed and digital, smiling broadly. However, each tooth is special in its own way. Also, you may find it difficult to achieve that degree of tooth brightness no matter how often you brush.

When your oral health starts to decline as a result of trying to meet these impossible standards, that’s when problems really start to arise. Having poor teeth might make you feel powerless, whether due to crowding or tooth loss. You may think there’s nothing you can do.

How to improve your smile and your self-esteem

  • Taking care of your teeth and gums. Taking care of your teeth and gums should be a priority. Your dental health may be maintained in a number of ways. Brushing your teeth and flossing every day are the most essential. A toothbrush with soft bristles is ideal since it is gentle on the gums and teeth and won’t irritate your mouth. Be sure to clean your teeth at least twice a day and floss at a minimum once a day.
  • The importance of regular dental exams. A dental checkup is just as important for your teeth as maintaining a regular routine of oral hygiene. Visits to the dentist are recommended every six months, if not more often, since even little decay or other signs may be seen at this early stage.
  • Look into teeth lightening. In order to boost your confidence, you may want to think about obtaining teeth whitening procedures. Teeth discolour from the common foods and drinks we consume on a daily basis. Even with diligent tooth brushing, maintaining a pearly white smile may be difficult at times. Since then, whitening procedures have been developed to restore the natural whiteness and lustre of one’s teeth.
  • Application of orthodontic appliances. Crooked teeth may be corrected using braces. Teeth that are crooked or misaligned are a typical issue for people of all ages. You may correct misaligned teeth with braces if you aren’t content with the way they look now. It’ll still make the teeth alignment perfect and make the smile even more gorgeous.
  • Stay away from social media cures. Some of the teeth-whitening hacks you see on social media can claim to work in only a few days. It’s possible that these sites may help you, but in the long term, they’ll hurt your teeth and be ineffective. To keep your teeth safe from any trials, you should stay away from such social media trends.

Final thoughts

Smile without shame if your oral health is holding you back by obtaining the dental care you need. If you’re self-conscious about your smile, seeing a dentist for an examination is a better option than dwelling on how incorrect and “ugly” your teeth seem. At your initial dental appointment, you and the dentist may collaborate to choose the best course of action for achieving the healthy, beautiful smile you’ve always wanted. This may include orthodontic treatment or the removal of decayed teeth.

A trip to the dentist for a cleaning is like no other experience. Aside from the liberated sensation you receive from a plaque-free grin, there is also a sense of heightened well-being. After all, a gleaming smile requires thorough oral hygiene. The plaque buildup that might lead to dental issues is also removed, which is a nice bonus. When your teeth are clean, you have nothing to hide behind when you grin.


David Radar did his degree in psychology at the University of Hertfordshire. He is interested in mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.


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