The Influence of Social Media in Creating Expectations Around an Impeccable Smile

If you find yourself drawn towards teeth whitening products, at-home kits, and professional treatments as a result of the gleaming smiles shining out from the social media apps on your phone, then you’re not alone. Social media is responsible for countless comparisons, be it fashion, body shape, haircuts, wedding dresses, and makeup prowess – with a Hollywood smile just one of the highly coveted features that is inspired by the apps. 

While it is important to acknowledge the inevitable role that filters play in whitening and brightening these smiles even more, there are a handful of ways that social media impacts the way we look at our own smile in the mirror. 

Firstly, seeing so many gleaming white smiles on social media makes many of us covet that same confidence – with many users believing that if they too have bright pearly whites, they will emanate that same confidence. 

Secondly, the culture of influencers and brand collaborations on social media creates some potentially unrealistic expectations with regard to the way that these picture-perfect white smiles are achieved. Many brands use influencers to market and showcase their at-home kits and products, selecting influencers with already-white teeth as their model of choice. What this does is create expectations that are unlikely to be fulfilled with the product alone.

Let’s unpack this a little more, before talking about how you can achieve your very own picture-perfect, selfie-ready smile. 

The role of social media in putting a whiter smile front and centre

When considering the influence that social media has on anything, be it a white smile, a fashion trend, or the way a space has been dressed and decorated, the issues lie in comparison and in the simple fact that social media is not always a realistic portrayal of what is going on.

It is easy for users to capture pictures and share posts that reflect the part of their day or their look that they are proud of and want to show off – leading other users to believe that their house really is that tidy or that their teeth really are always that shiny and white. 

But, because social media and scrolling through the different social media platforms has become such an intrinsic part of the modern consumer’s routine, used to discover new brands and products almost constantly, it’s easy to forget that those who we admire post only a snapshot of their day or look.

Social media has created a huge demand for teeth whitening among consumers of all ages – and for those who opt for professional treatment, the results can be great. But, amid those who head straight to the dentist, there are also those who reach out for the more affordable but highly accessible DIY kits and methods, which may not be as good as the social posts suggest.

Here are some of the ways that social media feeds false expectations.

How social media can lead to false expectations

There are two things to look at here, both of which were mentioned in the introduction.

The first is the rise of social media filters, which make it easier than ever to create the illusion of a whiter and brighter smile – without investing in a single treatment. Filters can be used to optimise any feature on your face or in your image, and have notably been used by celebrities for altering their body shape, the position of a hand or foot, or whitening their smile. 

The other way that social media creates false expectations is through brand partnerships and ads, which are sponsored by brands who pay influencers to herald the use of a specific kit or product in brightening their smile. While many of these kits can go some way to lightening the colour of your teeth, and can enhance the brightness of your smile to some degree, they are in no way potent enough to achieve tangible and lasting results. What’s more, potential side effects of at-home and DIY kits are rarely disclosed on these platforms, such as the leak of a bleaching substance onto your gums if the mouth guard doesn’t fit properly, sensitivity as a result of the whitening agent being applied to teeth, and structural damage to the surface of the enamel. 

Both of these issues are rife in the world of social media, in that they often point users and consumers towards products that are not as effective as the marketing makes out, and could in fact cause more harm than good.

With that in mind, how can you achieve a perfect smile for your own social media – and is there a method available that combines good results with a safe and reliable process?

How you can perfect your smile for future social media snaps

This is where professional teeth whitening comes in. Professional teeth whitening is most often conducted using an innovative laser tool, which is shone directly onto the teeth after having applied a potent whitening agent to the teeth and allowing it to rest for a set period of time. The laser, which is made up of a Blue Spectrum LED light, is then shone in targeted bursts of time, with the full treatment process lasting often less than an hour. 

Results are instant, safe, and paired with a comprehensive breakdown of all the aftercare information that clients need in order to maximise their results and ensure that they last the test of time. 

A picture-perfect, gleaming white smile pairs very well with good oral hygiene, with those seeking lasting results needing to follow dental and hygienist advice with regard to regular flossing and brushing and avoiding certain foods and habits. 

For more advice on teeth whitening, reach out to your local professional whitening dentist directly. They will be able to talk you through the process and the cost of the full treatment, and will book an early consultation for you to discuss your ideal finish, the projected results, and eligibility.

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