One in four men would like straighter teeth, survey finds

shutterstock_109041326A new survey has revealed that 40% of the male participants have strong concerns about their appearance – with one in four putting teeth straightening at the top of their wish list of what they’d change about their appearance. 

The aim of the survey was to find out about men’s confidence in their appearance and the likelihood of them seeking treatments to tackle physical imperfections.

The results showed that those aged 18-24 were most likely to have looked into treatments to change their appearance, despite being one of the most likely age groups to feel it was wrong for men to take steps to change their appearance.

Issues regarding tooth appearance ranked highly as a personal concern. The statistics revealed that just over a quarter (26%) of men surveyed admitted that they would straighten their teeth if they could change one thing about their appearance.

The survey, conducted in October 2016 on behalf of Align Technology, had a sample size of 300 men of all age ranges, socio economic groups and geographical regions in the UK.

The survey showed interesting regional variations:

  • Those from the areas of the South West and West Midlands were least likely to consider themselves happy with their appearance (only 57% and 56% respectively saying they were happy)
  • Only 2% of those surveyed from Yorkshire and Humber were confident about their teeth
  • There were significant regional variations with 47% of those from the East Midlands admitting they had been prevented from doing things, to only 16% of those from Yorkshire and Humber
  • Those most likely to be confident about their teeth were from Scotland
  • Those from the North East and London were the cohorts happiest about their appearance (81% and 78% considering themselves happy)
  • Those from the North East appeared to be the least confident group with only 38% agreeing that men are more confident, while those from Wales were the most confident, with 86% of men considering themselves to be so
  • Those from London were the group most likely to look for ways to straighten their teeth – with 75% stating that they would do so.

While the survey results showed many men would like an improved look, there is a reluctance to take the plunge. However, a significant 63% of men surveyed would look for ways to have treatment to alter the positioning of their teeth if they had concerns, and 24% would consider treatment if it was discreet.

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