Childhood anxiety is at an all-time high. What if I told you a major cause isn’t in their head?
In 2004, Facebook was launched, and it quickly became the world’s most popular social media platform.
6 years later in 2010 Instagram was founded and became the most widely adopted social media among children under 18!
Did you know 43% of kids between the ages of 8 and 12 have smartphones? That number surged to 88% for kids between the ages of 13 to 18. 51% of US teens report spending at least four hours per day on social media.
The advent of visual social media and its aggressive adoption over the last two decades has drastically morphed our society into what many call a “visual culture”.
For all of history, children didn’t have aesthetic comparisons attacking them on a daily basis. The interactions with their peers were solely focused on common interests and play.
But all that has changed. But why? Today, children are conditioned to be hyper-aware of how they look.
A 2016 study in Developmental Psychology found that by age 6 many children, particularly girls, already associate their physical aesthetics with happiness and social acceptance. This data is nearly a decade old and the trend has only become more pronounced. All of this information is pretty widely known and accepted. There have been multiple books, documentaries and studies published on the anxiety crisis among children and teenagers due to this “visual Culture”.
All this may seem hopeless. As a parent what can you do to give your child the best chance at developing a positive self-image.
In my humble opinion, there are THREE things you can do to ensure your child doesn’t suffer from anxiety.
#3 I want to share this first because it’s the most important to me and I believe it’s what this world needs. I’m a follower of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, And Knowing there is a God who loves us so much that he sent his only son to come down and die on the cross to save us, should fill everyone with the highest self-worth! Regardless if others reject us, we are approved by the Lord.
#2 We should Drastically limit children’s access to social media and screens. Their little brains are developing and what affects you and me, affects them 5X more.
And #1 – This factor is not in their head or heart, it’s in their mouth!
I’ve been an orthodontist for over 25 years and have learned so much about the effects a smile has on childhood emotional development.
Why Crooked Teeth Matter
According to the American Association of Orthodontists, nearly 50% of patients say their children have been bullied about their teeth. Such experiences are painful and often unforgettable, leading to current and long-term self-esteem issues.
- Children with noticeable dental problems are not just teased—they often develop a “defensive posture” in social settings, avoiding eye contact or covering their mouth when they speak or laugh.
- A 2022 study found that 83% of kids with dental issues also had speech problems. That’s huge. And it affects their ability to connect, and feel confident socially.
- Studies show a strong correlation between early self-consciousness about appearance and mental health struggles later in life, including anxiety and depression. Addressing these insecurities early prevents these issues from developing.
When your child avoids smiling, they’re not just hiding their teeth. They’re hiding their personality.
My biggest frustration for the 25 years of correcting smiles has always been the long and painful process it requires! Elizabeth is a mom of one of my patients and she told me, as a child she endured 4 years with a palate expander and braces. By the time she got the braces off, she was no longer a child but a teenager! No child should have to go through having metal glued to their mouth for so many years.
So, I’ve always been on the lookout for a better way. What can be done to completely fix a child’s smile in a fraction of the time while also avoiding the pain of braces and palate expanders?
In 2019 right before the pandemic, Invisalign® silently released a new product that is a GAME CHANGER for children. The world was so crazy at the time that it’s kind of slipped under the radar for most orthodontists. This new system doesn’t take years to fix a child’s smile, it takes months!
It’s called Invisalign® First and it’s specifically made for children between the ages of 6-9.
Actual Patient
This is Leanna. She came to us shy and withdrawn because of her teeth. The typical buck teeth look can also be very damaging as it causes mouth breathing – Lenna unable to fully close mouth at rest and also prone to teeth trauma since sticking out.
After treatment, her smile lit up—and so did her confidence. She’s now thriving in school and making friends like never before!
Why It Matters
Straight teeth aren’t just about aesthetics. They’re about giving kids the confidence to smile, speak, and succeed. By addressing dental issues early, we’re giving them the tools to tackle life head-on.
This is just one of the many children I’ve been able to help! BUT there is a catch. The window for correcting teeth issues in children is between the ages 6-9. It’s during this crucial window that their jawbone is still growing and moldable. Once they turn 10, the jawbone hardens and Invisalign® First won’t work. In many cases, the child will need tooth extractions and even jaw surgery to correct their smile.
Want to see and hear more?
For a more interactive experience, check out the live YouTube version of this blog, where we dive deeper into the topic and share expert insights. Click the link below to watch the full video!
Don’t wait! Early Treatment to intercept these problems can mean the difference between a simple pain-free solution and years of complicated, costly and painful treatments later on.
Faith:
Every not very morning you need to go to the Lord for your daily bread, your daily wisdom, your daily direction. Stop trying to do things on your own. We are not smarter, stronger, faster than the King of the Universe. God can see around every corner. Praise him.
