A team of researchers have looked at the impact that social media has on the decisions of young adults to pursue cosmetic dental treatments. The cosmetic dentistry market has grown exponentially in recent years, with this growth expected to continue. Young adults have played a big role in this growth, making them an interesting group to look at.
Social media continues to have a significant impact on society and the world we live in. Apps like TikTok and Instagram are common words in conversations we have on a daily basis.
Businesses and so-called influencers are using social media to promote their products and services. Every industry is getting involved – including dental practices.
With this in mind, a research team looked to find out if social media had an impact or influenced the decisions of young adults on aesthetic dental treatments [1].
Cosmetic Dentistry
The global cosmetic dentistry market was valued at $33.6 billion in 2022. Furthermore, it is believed that it will be worth almost $90 billion by 2030, with its growth set to continue [2].
Cosmetic dentistry involves anything that improves the look and appearance of teeth. Teeth whitening, veneers, implants, composite bonding, Invisalign™ and tooth contouring are all examples of cosmetic dentistry.
A few years ago, most dental clinics just offered standard services. However, nowadays almost all clinics offer some cosmetic services, with such services proving very popular.
We often associate shiny white and perfectly straight teeth with celebrities. But actually, this is becoming more popular with the general public too. The researchers wanted to find out if social media is contributing to this.
The Research
The research was carried out by a team from the European University of Madrid in Spain. Subsequently, their findings have been published in the Scientific Reports journal [1].
The study involved 504 participants over the age of 18. These participants had all undergone cosmetic dental treatment within the previous five years [1].
Each of the participants answered a web-based survey which asked them a series of questions about their treatment, possible influences and their motivations [1].
The answers to the questions provided some interesting insights. The overriding factor throughout the results was that social media certainly influenced the participants in getting cosmetic dental treatments [1].
In terms of the actual posts, it turns out that videos and pictures directly from dental clinics and dentists were the types of content that proved the most influential [1]. Instagram, TikTok and Twitter were the most used apps.
The research showed that orthodontic treatment was the most common cosmetic treatment. Whitening, veneers and crowns were other popular choices [1].
29.37% of survey respondents said that social media influenced their choice of undergoing cosmetic dental treatments [1].
Moreover, 33.33% of respondents said that they used social media to find information about potential cosmetic dental treatments [1].
The researchers also looked to see if males and females reacted differently. Interestingly, the results showed that both genders were influenced by social media to the same extent [1].
In a clear sign of the times, participants who had undergone cosmetic dentistry within the last year were more influenced by social media than those who had received treatment longer than a year ago [1].
Therefore, this underlines the impact social media is having. Furthermore, it is also a sign of how in the last year alone, social media has had a substantial effect on the cosmetic dentistry market.
Summary
The findings are very interesting, and showcases the impact that social media is having on cosmetic dentistry. Clearly, it is a huge market for dental clinics to try and tap into.
The researchers suggested that dental clinics should consider implementing social media marketing in their day-to-day operations – due to the potential for growth [1].
However, it is important to caution that there is some damaging material on social media about supposed dental “hacks” – which are actually dangerous. Therefore, it is important to remember that cosmetic dentistry should only ever be carried out by a trained professional.
The researchers have suggested that further research into the benefits, and risks, of social media on dental patients should be carried out [1].
It is important for everyone to feel comfortable with their teeth. Cosmetic dentistry has the potential to help with this, with its popularity likely to continue soaring in years to come.
Thinking points…
[1] One of the common reasons for seeking cosmetic dentistry is problems with teeth. But by looking after our teeth, it can negate the need to seek cosmetic dentistry! One of the best ways of looking after your teeth is to attend regular dental check-ups, as these allow a dentist to take a close look at your oral health and check for any problems. We recommend that you book an appointment now!
[2] Here at Taradale Dental, as well as general dentistry, our Calgary dental clinic offers a range of cosmetic treatments too! We offer free denture/crown/bridge/implant consultations. Moreover, we also offer teeth whitening and Invisalign™ treatments too! We would love to have a discussion with you about improving the look and feel of your smile! You can find out more about us at our website – https://taradaledental.ca/!
What we offer at Taradale Dental
Taradale Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. At our Calgary dental clinic, we provide a range of services for our patients.
We advise our patients to attend our Calgary dental clinic at least twice per year for a regular dental check-up. At these check-ups, we provide a comprehensive review of a patient’s oral health. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For example, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To strengthen your oral health, we recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing regularly.
Here at Taradale Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, teeth whitening and Invisalign™! Our patients find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.
Moreover, the fees of our treatments at our Calgary dental clinic Taradale Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. This ensures transparent and fair pricing, with no hidden costs.
We hope to see you soon at our Taradale Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://taradaledental.ca/!
References
[1] Freire, Y., Sánchez, M. G., Ituarte, J. S., Senande, M. F., García, V., & Suarez, A. (2024). Social media impact on students’ decision-making regarding aesthetic dental treatments based on cross-sectional survey data. 14 (21626). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-72442-8.
[2] Grand View Research. (2022). Cosmetic Dentistry Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Dental Systems & Equipment, Dental Implants, Dental Crowns & Bridges), By Region (North America, Europe), And Segment Forecasts, 2023 – 2030. Available: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/cosmetic-dentistry-market. Last accessed: 21st September 2024.
