It was hard to miss a story titled “Straighter teeth won’t guarantee happiness” if only because the premise sounded pretty strange. Sure enough, scientists in England have spent 20-years studying a variety of aspects of the lives of people who have gotten braces. Unfortunately, having braces and straight teeth does not mean that life will be any happier than if you remained with your natural smile.

When they were questioned as adults, none of them regretted having had their teeth improved and most were satisfied with the way they looked. But there was no difference in their psychological wellbeing when compared to other people who have never had braces.

Whereas I admire the attempt to find a link between teeth and happiness, the results are not surprising, and it is amazing that this was even examined in the first place.

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    Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 30 Jan 2007
    Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.