THE DRAMATIC extent to which Londoners’ lives are adversely impacted by the appearance of their teeth has been revealed in a new survey.

The shock findings show that 18.4% people in the capital are unhappy with their overall smile, a percentage that rises to 24.9% who are unhappy with the condition of their teeth.

Indeed, perceived dental deficiencies are causing a host of anxieties that affect day-to-day life, particularly among women in an era dominated by Instagram and other photo apps.

Alarmingly, the survey found that nearly a quarter (23.7%) of Londoners are self-conscious about how their teeth look, while nearly 19% admitted they never show their teeth in photos.

Even among Londoners who do smile for the camera, over one in 20 (5.9%) have used apps to edit the appearance of their teeth, while even more (6.3%) have had serious fallouts with friends who have posted images which show their teeth unfavourably.

Overall, the startling results reveal that image-conscious folk in London spend huge amounts of time fretting about the appearance of their mouths – an average 32 minutes per week wishing they had better teeth and 37 minutes worrying what other people think of their pearly whites.

The research was commissioned by a leading European dentist, Dr Martina Karlo, who has seen an influx of British patients in the wake of negative reports about “Turkey teeth”.

Dr Karlo, whose hi-tech Dentelli clinic in the sunshine resort of Split, Croatia, is governed by strict EU dental regulations said: “Many Brits are in limbo, unable to get the treatment they want. That has a drastic, negative impact on their lives.

“Our UK patients regularly tell us how they now see themselves through social media and video calls. Likewise Love Island and celebrity culture has changed perceptions of how the ‘ideal smile’ looks.

“Britons are more conscious of their teeth than ever before, something that is backed up by these findings. Modern dentistry can deliver a positive and life-affirming change for people who see their smile transformed.”

A total of 18% of Londoners admitted they would not date someone with teeth they considered bad. Meanwhile almost one in 10 (9.6%) Londoners admitted they automatically reject people on dating apps because of their teeth.

Meanwhile, the positive impact of an improved smile was found to be huge, with 49% of respondents admitting they would feel “much more confident” if they had better teeth.

Dr Karlo added: “Every year we see more patients from the UK. Most want treatments they can’t afford at home. We transform their smile, bite, and oral health and that literally changes their life for the better, bringing increased happiness and confidence.”

Visiting Croatia is significantly cheaper than comparative treatment in the UK and crowns, veneers and dental implants are the most popular procedures, with British patient spending on average of £5,320 (€6,000) on treatments at the clinic.

Yet, the survey found that while over one in 10 Londoners had considered flying abroad for treatment, various worries prevented many from following through. More than a third (34.2%) are worried about costs, while around one in seven (16%) are concerned about healthcare standards abroad and more than one in 10 (11.4%) fear results would not look natural.

However, Dr Karlo added: “Our UK clients are reassured by the exacting medical standards and consumer protections offered within EU countries, which are among the most rigorous in the world.

“Unlike some of the cheaper dental tourism hotspots, Croatia is bound by incredibly strict EU laws and regulations. Safety and standards are paramount, which gives patients peace of mind they simply cannot get in places like Turkey.”

Dr Karlo has invested more than a million Euros in her state-of-the-art practice. Dentelli was founded in October 2019 and has an annual turnover of €2 million (£1.78m). The clinic carries out 17,000 procedures each year and most of its 28-strong team – from dentists and nurses to technicians and hygienists – speak fluent English.

In 2022, Split airport welcomed around 500,000 British passengers, making the UK its second biggest market. Direct flights to Split start from £105 at Heathrow Airport, £32 at Gatwick Airport, £76 at Stansted Airport and £21 at Luton Airport and depart daily throughout the summer with an average flight time of around two and a half hours via Jet2, EasyJet, British Airways, Croatia Airlines and WizzAir.

The detailed research was conducted by Opinion Matters, among a sample of 2,011 nationally representative UK respondents aged 16 and over – with findings also delving into how dental aesthetics affect an individual’s chance of finding love.