Straight Teeth Equals a More Confident Teen

Adolescence is a time of many challenges and opportunities. If you are a parent of a teen, you probably remember those years of awkward changes, new-found freedom and social drama. With school, family, friends, and hobbies, it can be hard for a teen to manage everything on their plate. While you can’t prevent all of the hurdles your child will face during adolescence, you can do a few things to protect their self-esteem during this important transition from childhood into adulthood.

When it comes to a teen’s self-esteem, looks play a critical role. For many teenagers, it is their smile that poses a threat to their confidence and impacts how they feel about themselves. According to a study conducted by Kelton and sponsored by Invisalign, as much as 96% of US teens who aren’t happy with their smile are insecure about their appearance and 30% of respondents were most self-conscious about their teeth. The popularity and trends in social media and selfies certainly don’t help this struggle. Teeth that are crooked, overlapping, gapped or otherwise unsightly are a common source of teasing and harassment for children and adolescence. It becomes easy to understand that straight teeth promote a better self-esteem.

The Solution May Be Easier Than You Think

If your teen is feeling embarrassed or low on life because of the way their teeth look, you can do something to help. Consider scheduling a consult with an orthodontist. You may be surprised to learn that your teen doesn’t have to wear traditional metal braces to gain a straighter, more attractive smile, which can often compound issues of self-consciousness. While metal braces may be necessary to correct severe alignment cases, many patients qualify for more “teen-approved” solutions, such as Invisalign, short-term braces and clear brackets.

Straighter teeth can not only mean a more confident and motivated teen, it also means a healthier mouth. When teeth are well-aligned and properly spaced, it is easier to keep them clean and avoid decay, disease and staining. If you’d like to give your teen a boost of confidence before high school or college, consider investing in their smile through orthodontics. At Walton Orthodontics, we make the treatment process easy and convenient, with options that fit your teen’s lifestyle.

Walton Orthodontics
2609 Peachtree Pkwy, #C
Suwanee, GA 30024
(770) 663-0955