But it seems that pearly whites are imperative when searching for your perfect man too, as a new study reveals the first thing men notice about a woman are her teeth. According to the latest study, they rate as the most important feature for a man when checking out a new mate.
They surveyed 5,500 unmatched people on the site and it was found that straight, white teeth was the most important characteristic. 60% of men claimed they care the most about teeth for a potential date, compared to 71% of women who said the same thing. Good teeth play a huge role in the look of a person's smile.
Bad teeth can be associated with poor oral hygiene and a lack of self-esteem and self-respect, as well as impacting on confidence, which is an important trait for many people when they are looking for a boyfriend or girlfriend.
Studies have shown that those with whiter smiles and evenly spaced teeth are seen as more attractive than those with opposite qualities. Another study has confirmed those with perfect teeth are perceived as more successful, more intelligent, and have more dates.
An unattractive smile can be present because of a number of factors that include dark teeth, missing or broken teeth, receding gums, and protruding teeth or jaw. This could be a result of genetics, certain lifestyle habits that cause teeth discoloration, poor oral health or trauma.
Ahead of any other physical feature or bad habit, research from Plusnet found that bad teeth was the number one turn-off for online daters – a major setback when potential partners only have profile pictures to judge each other on.
Tooth Size
Teeth that are too large are generally considered less attractive. According to the study, people expect the two top front teeth to be a bit larger than the others; but if their size is too exaggerated, it's a turnoff.
Think again! A recent survey conducted by CosmaLite™ and founder, cosmetic dentist Dr. Steven Roth, suggests that a less-than-stellar smile is perhaps the greatest hindrance to finding romance. Respondents ranked facial attributes in order of importance as follows: teeth, number one by a landslide at 87.5%.
A whopping 60% of men say that good teeth are the “most important consideration in a potential date,” and 71% of women rank teeth as the “most important factor in deciding to date someone.” Who knew that the appearance of your teeth could actually have a serious impact on your dating life?
Square-shaped teeth are not very sharp, but they look nice and healthy, so it makes your smile look natural and attractive. People also tend to prefer straighter teeth, but that is highly subjective because everyone has their taste.
The influence of teeth on the aesthetic appearance of a person has been known for a long time. Based on a large number of empirical results, it can be assumed that white, straight teeth are considered a beauty ideal in Western culture.
It might be time to start hitting the dentist's chair (and the spell-check button) as hard as you hit the gym—teeth and (surprisingly) grammar top the list of what single girls pay most attention to when sizing up a new guy, according to a survey from Match.com.
The other obvious thing people notice is the straightness of teeth, particularly if they're noticeably crooked, rotated out of position or alignment. Our eyes instantly recognise a straight and symmetrical smile as more beautiful.
Translating the Secret Language of Men.” “Many men are fundamentally insecure and always feel a need to prove their masculinity,” said Gratch. “In that sense, if a woman smiles at them, they perceive it as an affirmation of their sexual prowess and as a sign of a woman's interest.”
Apparently, showing at least eight – and preferably ten – upper teeth creates the most appealing and youthful smile, says dentist Dr Rhona Eskander.
Square-shaped maxillary incisors were perceived as the least attractive overall (43.3 per cent) and by the dentists (47 per cent), technicians (50 per cent) and patients (33 per cent).
Teeth that have gaps or are too crowded can look unattractive. Orthodontics can correct crowding or gaps in your smile.
More than 90 percent of American adults have cavities in their permanent teeth. More than 25 percent of American adults have untreated dental decay. And adults have an average of three or more missing or permanent teeth.
The CDC also reports that 7% of Americans have lost at least one permanent tooth to decay by the time they reach their 17th birthday. The older you get, the worse the statistics become. The number increases to 69% when you get to the age group of 35 to 44. Keep in mind, this is about tooth loss due to decay.
It is not uncommon for people to feel insecure about their teeth. However, it is vital that they understand the impact their teeth have on their self-esteem, whether good or bad. If you do feel insecure about your teeth, there are plenty of options available to you to transform your smile.
Deal Breakers
In fact, 64 percent of respondents agreed that poor oral health was a reason to end a relationship and neglecting to care for oral hygiene was worse than being late for dates and not paying for dates.
You're not alone. Studies show that around 50% of Americans feel insecure about their teeth. But here's the kicker - most of the time, there's nothing actually wrong with their teeth. It's just the way they appear due to factors like a small jaw, overbite, or gums that bunch up around the base of their teeth.