SELF-conscious Londoners have little to smile about when it comes to the state of their teeth – and social media apps are adding to anxieties, a new survey has found.

Down in the mouth people are so insecure about dental deficiencies that nearly one in five (19%) never show their teeth in photos, while over one in 20 (6%) use apps to enhance their dental appeal.

The research also found that around one in 12 Londoners (8%) have been reduced to tears because of how their teeth look.

Renowned dentist Dr Martina Karlo of Dentelli clinic, which commissioned the research, said glamourous reality TV shows like Love Island and Made in Chelsea could be responsible for Brits’ heartache over their substandard smiles.

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

“It is clear that many Brits are in limbo, unable to get the treatment they want and that has a drastic, negative impact on their lives.

“I’d say without any hesitation that people in the UK are more conscious of their teeth than ever before, something that is backed up by these findings.

“Happily, modern dentistry can deliver a positive and life-affirming change for people who see their smile transformed.”

In an era of Instagram, social media influencers and dating apps, the survey established that more than one in 20 (6%) of Londoners have had serious fallouts with friends for posting images that show their teeth unfavourably.

Research also delved into how dental aesthetics affect an individual’s chance of finding love – 18% of Londoners said they would not date someone with teeth they considered bad. Meanwhile, one in 10 (10%) admitted they automatically reject people on dating apps because of their teeth.

Detailed research conducted by Opinion Matters surveyed 2011 nationally representative UK respondents aged 16 and over. It found that 18% people in the capital are unhappy with their overall smile, a percentage that rises to 25% who are unhappy with the condition of their teeth.

The startling results reveal that image-conscious Londoners spend huge amounts of time frowning 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.

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

Dr Karlo believes the research explains why her Croatian clinic has seen an influx of British patients in the wake of negative reports about “Turkey teeth”. Based in the sunshine resort of Split, the hi-tech Dentelli clinic is governed by strict EU dental regulations.

She 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 patients spending an average of £5,320 (€6,000) on treatments at the clinic.

The survey found that 13% of Londoners had considered flying abroad for treatment, but various worries prevented many from following through. More than a third (34%) are worried about costs, while one in six (16%) are concerned about healthcare standards abroad and one in nine (11%) fear results would not look natural.

However, Dr Karlo added: “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.