If we follow advice from the British Dental Health Foundation, we spend at least 24 hours a year, a whole day, looking at our mouths in the mirror as we clean our teeth. With these statistics in mind it should come as no surprise that results of a recent survey commissioned by Align Technology, reveals that nearly 40 per cent of us worry about the appearance of our mouth at least once a day, rising to over 50 per cent in the 18-29 age range.
Worries relating to our mouths centre more on teeth, than the peripheries (lips, cheeks, chins). More than half of us worry about the colour of our teeth, while 24 per cent dislike their “overcrowded, gappy or goofy appearance”.
40 per cent of respondents stated that straightening one’s teeth is the most attractive improvement that can made to the look of the mouth and the majority of those surveyed indicated having their teeth straightened was the greatest improvement they had made to their own mouths. However, a significant number of people are yet to take the step, even though they would like to; 31 per cent of respondents would like to change the alignment of their teeth.
Straightening one’s teeth has never been simpler or more discreet. Yet, many people believe it is too late to straighten their teeth when they reach adulthood; they believe the time to wear fixed, visible braces are the teenage years and that orthodontics may limit what you can eat, affect your speech, what instrument you play, hinder your ability to effectively clean your teeth and impinge on your life in so many other ways.
By contrast the discreet nature of more contemporary method, such as the virtually invisible Invisalign system means it has become one of the most popular and requested orthodontic treatments available for adults. The Invisalign system works by repositioning teeth discretely, little by little, using a series of custom made clear ‘aligners’ which are changed in two weekly increments. The aligners can be removed during treatment for short periods of time to allow you to eat whatever you want, play a wind instrument and maintain your normal good oral hygiene routine and ensuring that a lifestyle can be maintained without anyone knowing that you are undergoing treatment.
The survey was conducted for Align Technology by Gorkana. 300 people were surveyed in January 2015. They were selected at random from a variety of socio-economic groups, ages and areas. 50 per cent were male and 50 per cent female. Respondents were asked a series of questions about concerns related to the appearance of the mouth.
For more information visit www.invisalign.co.uk