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This study investigates how social media impacts young people's perceptions of their smiles and their interest in cosmetic dental procedures.

July 11, 2026Open Access

A cross sectional study on psychological influence of social media on young people’s self perception of smile and the demand for cosmetic dental procedures

JJJ. Farhad JafeenSRM Institute of Science and Technology SSSibyl SiluvaiSRM Institute of Science and Technology KIK. P. IndumathiSRM Institute of Science and Technology

Key Points

This study investigates how social media impacts young people's perceptions of their smiles and their interest in cosmetic dental procedures.
Conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study among 291 young individuals aged 16-21 who actively use social media.
Assessed social media use, smile perceptions, emotional responses to posting images, and cosmetic procedure preferences.
Utilized descriptive statistics and chi-square tests for data analysis, with significance at p ≤ 0.05.
High social media use linked to greater smile dissatisfaction (p < 0.0001) and increased awareness of cosmetic procedures (p < 0.0001).
Engagement with smile-related content improved knowledge on treatments, notably teeth whitening and orthodontics.
Anxiety while posting photographs correlated with heightened interest in smile modification.

Abstract

The age of young people is critical in developmental stages during which external influences shape self-perception and social identity. The increasing use of image- and video-based social media platforms has exposed young people to idealized representations of appearance, which promote comparisons related to smile aesthetics. This study aimed to assess the psychological impact of social media use on young people’s smile perception and to examine its association with interest in cosmetic dental procedures. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among 291 young people aged 16–21 years who actively used social media. A validated questionnaire assessed patterns of social media use, perceptions of smile aesthetics, emotional responses to posting facial photographs, the influence of dental professionals, social media influencers, and preferences for cosmetic dental procedures. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests, with statistical significance set at p ≤ 0.05. Higher levels of social media use were significantly associated with greater smile dissatisfaction ( p < 0.0001) and increased awareness of cosmetic dental procedures ( p < 0.0001). Engagement with smile-related content was associated with improved knowledge of treatments such as teeth whitening, orthodontics, veneers, and smile designing. Teeth whitening and orthodontic correction were the most preferred procedures. Participants who reported anxiety while posting photographs were more likely to express interest in modifying their smiles. Social media use was significantly associated with young people’s perceptions of smile aesthetics and their interest in cosmetic dental procedures. Given the cross-sectional design, these findings indicate associations rather than causation. The results highlight the importance of addressing psychosocial factors, promoting realistic expectations, and ensuring ethical, patient-centred care in young people's dental practice.

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