The impact of social media on mental wellbeing is a conversation that has gone on as long as the form of communication has existed.
Now, research from the Auckland University of Technology has found that among adolescents, low dental self-confidence is associated with greater social and psychological impact. Heavy social media users were also found to have greater psychological impacts from dental appearance, even where they have improved dental self-confidence.
The study assessed 502 parent-child pairings, and came to the conclusion that dental self-confidence is a “socially embedded health perception shaped within peer-visible digital environments”.
The idea that social media and internet use has as impact on dental confidence will come as no surprise to some. An opinion article in the British Dental Journal from 2023 found that the increased use of Zoom in the COVID-19 pandemic was linked to an increased demand for orthodontic solutions.
Here, even when in-person contact was reduced, patients had an increased interest in smile aesthetics, suggesting that a prominent cause for orthodontic demand is self-perception in the age of digital technology.
Aside from seeing oneself in digital camera windows, viewing perfected smiles on social media may also be a driver. Dental Tribune, covering the new research, noted the recommendation for dental practices to reconsider their highly idealised smile imagery in their marketing. Instead of such a focus on aesthetics, clinicians could reinforce the importance of oral health, function and confidence, and the ability to deliver realistic outcomes that suit each individual case.
The UK Government has put steps in place to ban under-16s from social media sites, in a move that aims to “give kids their childhood back”.
Whilst not entirely driven by research surrounding self-confidence, the reduction of exposure to such platforms in adolescents could see a significant impact on dental self-confidence in future generations. The ban, which is expected to come into force by Spring 2027, is backed by around 90% of parents, according to GOV.UK.
Australia was one of the first countries to enforce a similar ban, and France was another country due to follow suit, until the top court in the country struck down the ban.
The impact of social media on dental confidence is widely noted – but are we entering a world where the genie can be put back into the bottle?
>Since you’re here, why not read about the influence of stoicism on healthcare?
Main image credit: Unsplash
