Survey data collected by the Oral Health Foundation and Align Technology has found the impact of the pandemic on the way UK adults view their smiles. More than half (58%) of British adults surveyed responded that they have changed the way they see their smile as a result of online video calls, with a third (33%) now more aware of the colour of their teeth and nearly a quarter (24%) more conscious about the alignment. The research shows that one in ten (11%) UK adults feels self-conscious seeing their smile during an online meeting.
The smile is one of the most important assets we have and is how we communicate our thoughts, emotions and feelings towards one another. Because of its prominence, and importance, the smile can also be a great source of concern for some people.
Dr Nigel Carter OBE of the Oral Health Foundation said: “The colour and shape of our teeth are the first things we tend to notice and feeling self-conscious is quite normal. What we must remember, however, is that the most important part of the smile is its health”.
A healthy mouth can be achieved through an effective oral health routine at home as well as regular dental visits. The key components of an effective oral health routine are brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste for two minutes, cleaning in between teeth daily with interdental brushes or floss, and cutting down on how much and how often you have sugary foods and drinks.
From: https://www.dentalhealth.org/news/the-tooth-on-how-the-pandemic-has-affected-our-smiles
