Invisalign Teen Confidence Survey NewsWorthy Analysis. July 2014

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1 Invisalign Teen Confidence Survey NewsWorthy Analysis July 2014

2 THE AGE OF IMAGE Teens struggles with appearance are highlighted in social media age; moms understand this but more conversations about confidence and self- esteem need to happen. Grappling with low self-esteem during the awkward years is nothing new. But having to do it in two parallel worlds online and off line is something unique to today s teens. Despite most teens regularly posting selfies to social media, many admit they worry about their looks on a daily basis. A new survey* by Invisalign finds a majority of self-conscious teens wanting to improve their chances of fitting in and boosting their confidence by changing their appearance. In fact, nearly five million year-olds dream of having a more attractive smile. However, they don t want to follow the most common path teens take to fix their teeth metal braces. They fear not only the physical pain, but the emotional hurt that wearing brackets may bring. Their concerns are valid, as teens who have donned braces were teased and struggled far more than those who wore Invisalign. Meanwhile, mothers recall the appearance troubles they had when they were their teen s age. And they even realize their sons and daughters have it tougher now to hide their less-than-attractive photos taken during these years. While they know confidence is an issue with teens and worry about it daily, many are not communicating with their kids about self-acceptance. Mothers want to do what s best for their teens and boost their confidence, but underestimate how embarrassing it is for them to wear braces. *an online survey to teens ages and mothers of teens ages

3 Teens Photo credit: Christy Yellen Get photo credit 3

4 Peer Pressure Cooker Avoiding outcast status is a daily struggle for teens. 1 Not Welcome Here. While 38 percent of teens say feeling out of place is just part of being a teen, this doesn t mean it s easy to experience these emotions. Nearly three in five (59%) believe not fitting in with their peers is embarrassing for kids their age. More girls than boys think not fitting in with peers is a rite of passage (42% vs. 34%) and embarrassing (61% vs. 56%) for teens. Teens who have worn or wear Invisalign are more likely than those with experience donning metal braces (66% vs. 57%) to think it s shameful for teens to not fit in with peers. 2 3 The Pretty People. Many link their looks to not being including in the in crowd. More than nine in ten (94%) think their appearance has an impact on whether or not they are popular. And over one in four (26%) go so far as to say that their looks play a significant role in their popularity. Thirty percent of girls who think appearance inspires popularity believe it has a large impact, vs. 22 percent of boys. 94% of teens think appearance influences popularity 4

5 4 Making it Personal. And being part of the cool crowd can truly affect the way teens think about themselves. One in two (50%) teens think being unpopular has already had or would have a negative impact on their self-confidence. 5 Everyday Evaluation. Given this, it s not surprising that nine in ten (90%) teens feel judged by their peers. Half (50%) of them say this happens at least once a day. More girls than boys (54% vs. 45%) feel they are judged one or more times each day. Those in the Midwest (55%) and South (51%) are more likely than their counterparts in the Northeast (46%) and West (46%) to feel they are judged this often. 6 It s Taunting. But the judging is not always silent; over four in five (83%) teens also say they have been teased. What s more is that 51 percent admit to picking on someone else. Boys are more likely than girls (56% vs. 47%) to admit to having teased someone else. It is less common for teens living in the Northeast than in the rest of the country (79% vs. 84%) to say they have been teased. 7 83% have been teased 51% have teased someone else 5

6 1 Thirst for Transformation Lack of confidence in their looks sparks a desire for change in teens. Judging Themselves. More than one in four (26%) teens believe they are unattractive. 2 3 Internal Struggles with Their Exterior. Regardless of whether teens see themselves as attractive, close to three in five (56%) worry about their appearance most days, and nearly half (47%) are concerned about how others see them. Girls are more likely than boys to be troubled about their looks (61% vs. 49%) or how others see them (51% vs 43%) this often. More year-olds than those ages worry about their appearance (58% vs. 54%) or how others view them (50% vs. 45%) most days. Over three in five (63%) teens who wear or wore Invisalign admit they worry about their appearance most days, vs. 54 percent of their counterparts who wear or have worn metal Most days, teens worry about Their appearance 56% How others see them 47% 6

7 4 Shamefaced. Perhaps this attention to attractiveness is partly why 88 percent are selfconscious about their looks. Body shape or weight (38%) and skin type (21%) are common features these teens are most insecure about. Teeth (13%) round out the top three aspects of their appearance that trigger this negative feeling. 5 88% of teens are insecure about their appearance More than nine in ten (92%) girls are selfconscious about their appearance, vs. 84 percent of boys. And girls are more likely than boys (43% vs. 32%) to say their top insecurity is their weight, while more boys than girls (25% vs. 18%) are most self-conscious about their 6 skin type. 7 Nearly 2.4 million teens are most self-conscious about their teeth Facing the Truth. In fact, these aspects of their appearance directly relate to their self-esteem. More than three in five say their confidence would be deflated if they were overweight (63%) or had acne (65%). Holding Them Back. Similarly, many say they would be more self-confident if it weren t for their acne (44%) or body shape or weight (40%). 7

8 8 Results of Ridicule. It follows, then, that close to two-thirds (66%) believe being made fun of for their appearance would have a negative impact on their confidence; one-third (33%) think it would have an extremely poor effect. Thirty-seven percent of girls think being picked on for their looks would have a very negative impact on their self-esteem, vs. 29 percent of boys Poor Reflection. Currently, more than a quarter (27%) of teens admit to having low self-confidence. 5.6 million teens say their self-confidence is low More girls than boys (30% vs. 25%) say their confidence is low. Teens with low confidence are more likely than those with higher self-esteem (65% vs. 43%) to feel they are being judged by their peers at least once a day. 8

9 11 12 Can t Help It. And many have been picked on for aspects of their appearance that they can t necessarily change, such as their height (17%) or physical appearance changes through puberty (13%). Push Toward Positive. Close to three in ten (26%) have been teased for their body shape. This is likely why many do what they can to help their body look good, including exercise (60%) and diet or watch what they eat (30%) Adolescent Adjustments. Perhaps the angst they experience about their bodies is what explains why nine in ten (87%) teens wish to alter their appearance. 87% of teens wish they could change something about their looks, such as Forty-six percent of them want to change their weight, and 31 percent would like a different skin type. More girls than boys (89% vs. 84%) want to modify their appearance. Body shape or weight 46% Height 21% Skin type 31% 9

10 A Better Smile in the Future Teens are being teased for an aspect of their appearance they can change their teeth. 1 Shameful Smile. Nearly three in five (57%) believe having crooked teeth is embarrassing for most kids their age. More girls than boys (60% vs. 54%) feel that not having straight teeth is mortifying for a teen. Teens who wear or have worn Invisalign are more likely than those who wear or have worn metal braces to think it s embarrassing for most teens to have crooked teeth 67% vs. 56%). 2 3 Teeth Tease. And more than one in ten (11%) admit they ve been picked on for having pearly whites that are not straight. More teens with Invisalign experience than those who wear or have worn metal braces say that they were picked on for having crooked teeth (17% vs. 13%). Close to 2.3 million teens have been teased for having crooked teeth 10

11 4 Chomper Complaints. In fact, seven in ten (70%) teenagers are not extremely satisfied with their current smile - an aspect of their appearance that they might just need a little help to improve. More year-olds than those who are (75% vs. 66%) are not very happy with their teeth. 5 About 14.5 million teens are not very happy with the look of their teeth Over four in five (84%) of those who say they have low confidence are not very satisfied with their teeth, vs. 64 percent of their counterparts with higher self-esteem. More than four in five (81%) current wearers of Invisalign are satisfied with the look of their teeth, vs. 68 percent of those with metal braces. 6 Wish List. One-quarter (25%) of teens who dream of altering their appearance would want to change the look of their teeth. This is almost twice as many as those who would want to modify a facial feature, such as their nose or eyes (14%). 7 Teens who would like to modify Their teeth A facial feature Teens ages are more likely than those (28% vs. 23%) to say that an aspect of their looks they want to alter is their teeth. 25% 14% 11

12 Something to Smile About Satisfaction with one's teeth can have a more positive impact on teens Noteworthy Comparisons. There are clear differences among teens who are not satisfied with the look of their teeth and those who are, proving that great teeth can give teens lots of reasons to smile. Those who are unhappy with their teeth are nearly twice as likely as those who are satisfied with their teeth to admit they have low self-confidence (42% vs. 23%) and feel unattractive (41% vs. 21%). Worry about appearance Low selfconfidence Feel unattractive 66% 52% 42% 23% 41% 21% Dissatisfied with their teeth Satisfied with their teeth They are also more likely to worry about their appearance most days (66% vs. 52%). 12

13 3 Similarly, 96 percent of teens who are not satisfied with their smile are insecure about their appearance, and three in ten (30%) of them are most self-conscious about their teeth. Fewer (86%) of those who like the look of their teeth say they are self-conscious about their looks. Nearly three in five (57%) teens who are not satisfied with their teeth feel their peers judge them at least once a day, vs. 47 percent of those who are pleased with their pearly whites. This might be because those who are not happy with their smile are more likely than those who like their smile to have been teased for having crooked teeth (27% vs. 6%), feel being picked on for their appearance would have an extremely negative impact on their confidence (44% vs. 30%), and think it s embarrassing for teens to have crooked teeth (68% vs. 54%). So it s no wonder more teens who are dissatisfied with their teeth are more likely than those who are happier with their smile to want to change their appearance (96% vs. 84%) and admit that their teeth are an aspect of their looks they want to modify (56% vs. 14%). 4 96% Dissatisfied with their teeth Self-conscious about their appearance Satisfied with their teeth 86% 57% Feels judged at least once a day 47% 96% 68% Thinks it s embarrassing to have crooked teeth Wants to change their appearance 54% 84% 13

14 1 Battle of the Brackets Metal braces add to the struggles teens face. Standing Out. Eighty-four percent of teens who have worn metal braces feel they didn t fit in with other kids their age. 2 Uncomfortable in their Own Skin. What s more, close to one in five had lower selfesteem (18%) and were teased (17%) while sporting braces. One in three (33%) also confess they felt awkward while wearing metal braces, while 28 percent didn t like their appearance (28%). Nearly nine in ten (86%) teens who wear or have worn metal braces admit they have been teased vs. 82 percent of their counterparts who have never worn braces. Over one in five (21%) teens who are wearing or worn braces were picked on specifically for it, while fewer than one in ten (9%) Invisalign users were picked on for wearing clear aligners. 3 While wearing metal braces, I * Didn t fit in 84% Had lower self-esteem 18% Didn t like how I looked 28% Felt awkward 33% Was teased 17% *among teens who have worn metal braces 14

15 4 Not Looking Forward to It. There s even more anxiety for teens who anticipate having to wear metal braces at some point in the future. More than nine in ten (92%) teens who have never worn metal braces imagine that, if they met this fate, they would not fit in with their peers, and one in four (25%) believe they would be teased. Low Morale. Many others feel that they would be likely to feel awkward (46%), dislike their appearance (35%) or lose self-esteem (23%) if they had to wear metal braces right now. 6 More boys than girls (29% vs. 22%) and more year-olds than those who are (28% vs. 24%) think they would be teased for wearing metal braces. Those who are not satisfied with their teeth are more likely than those who are to anticipate feeling awkward (53% vs. 44%), not liking their appearance (40% vs. 34%), being teased (31% vs. 24%) and having lower self-esteem (28% vs. 22%) if they had to wear metal braces. More teens who have Invisalign experience than those who do not think they would not like their appearance (42% vs. 35%) and would have lower self-esteem (35% vs. 22%) if they had to wear metal braces right now. If I wore metal braces now, I would be likely to * Not fit in Feel awkward Not like how I look Be teased 35% 25% 46% * among teens who have never worn metal 92% 7 Total Downer. In fact, over half (53%) of those who are not currently donning metal braces predict that having to wear them now would have a negative impact on their self-esteem. Sixty percent of teens in the Northeast share this sentiment, compared to 51 percent of those in other regions of the country. 15

16 8 Brace Bothers. The accessory also comes with a fair share of concerns for those who haven t worn braces yet. Over nine in ten (93%) would be worried if they had to wear metal braces, mainly about experiencing pain (61%) or having the inside of their mouth cut (56%). Adding to the Problem. Their potential concerns also highlight what many teens already struggle with even without braces - such as getting picked on (41%) or the impact it would have on their confidence (28%). Others worry about their appearance, such as having food stuck in their braces (64%), appearing less than perfect for special events or pictures (37%), or experiencing a change in their overall look (33%). Putting the Brakes On. Having to refrain from eating specific foods (52%), playing sports or participating in certain activities (14%) or kissing (26%) are also among their concerns. Younger kids (13-14 year-olds) are more likely to be worried about being teased (44% vs. 39%), whereas older kids (15-17-year-olds) are more likely to be concerned that they couldn t kiss someone (27% vs. 23%). 9 67% 65% 59% Girls 38% 43% 35% 30% If I were to get metal braces, I would worry about 13% Having food stuck in my teeth! Being in pain! Having my mouth cut by the brackets! Being teased! Not looking my best for special events or photos! My appearance changing! The impact it will have on my confidence! Having to cut back on sports! 16% 31% 30% 26% 44% 61% 57% 52% Boys *among teens who have never worn metal braces 16

17 10 12 Bringing out Emotions. So it s no wonder that many of those who have never worn metal braces imagine they d be upset (39%), frustrated (33%), or embarrassed (27%) if they had to wear them now. Nearly half of those who have worn or are wearing Invisalign would be frustrated (48%) or upset (45%) if they were told they need to wear metal braces now. Anything but Braces! Perhaps because wearing metal braces is thought of as so unpleasant, more than three in five (63%) teens would prefer to have their first kiss broadcast on social media than wear metal braces during these awkward years If I had to wear metal braces, I would feel * Upset 39% Frustrated 33% I would rather Embarrassed 27% *among teens who have never worn metal braces More girls than boys (67% vs. 59%) and more year-olds than those (66% vs. 62%) prefer to have their first kiss premiered on social media than to have to wear metal braces during their adolescence. Invisalign users are more likely than those who wore or are wearing braces to rather wear metal brackets during their teen years than have their first kiss broadcast on social media. (48% vs. 25%) Have my first kiss broadcast on social media 63% Wear metal braces during my teen years 37% 17

18 14 Wishing and Hoping. Despite not thinking that wearing braces will be a pleasant experience, some are desperate for help. Close to one in two (47%) of those who anticipate braces in their future say that teeth is on their list of things they d like to change about themselves, compared to just 12 percent of those teens who don t think they ll end up with braces. The Impact. And more teens who anticipate needing braces than those who don t say they are dissatisfied with their smile (56% vs. 12%), feel unattractive (32% vs. 23%), are concerned about their looks most days (62% vs. 53%), and would like to modify their appearance (92% vs. 80%). 15 A Different Experience. It s no wonder they want to make a change. Those who think they will need braces to correct their teeth are more likely than teens who don t believe this to be the case to admit they ve been teased in their life (86% vs. 78%), think being picked on for their looks would have an extremely negative impact on their self-esteem (41% vs. 31%), and think it s embarrassing for teens to have crooked teeth (64% vs. 54%). Teens who think they need braces are more likely than those who don t to Those who think they will need braces to correct their teeth Want to change their appearance Have been teased in their life Think it's embarrassing for teens to have crooked teeth Be concerned about their looks most days Be dissatisfied with their smile Want to modify their appearance by changing their teeth Think being picked on has an extremely negative impact on their self-esteem Feel unattractive Those who don't believe they will need braces 12% 12% 41% 31% 32% 23% 47% 64% 54% 62% 53% 56% 92% 80% 86% 78% 18

19 Clear Winner Invisalign result in more confident and active teens than braces. 1 Less Shame. While a third (34%) of teens see wearing metal braces as a rite of passage, more than two in five (41%) still think it is embarrassing for most teens. 2 It s embarrassing for teens to wear More girls than boys (38% vs. 29%) and more year-olds than those ages (36% vs. 32%) view wearing braces as a normal part of being a teenager. Half (50%) of teens who have worn or wear Invisalign believe it s shameful for most teens to wear metal braces, vs. 38 percent of those who have donned or are currently donning these brackets. 41% 19

20 3 A Bad Feeling. Forty percent agree that wearing metal braces would or has had a negative impact on their self-confidence. Teens who are not satisfied with the look of their teeth are more likely than those who are (46% vs. 38%) to think wearing metal braces would reflect poorly on their self-esteem. 4 What a Boost. Close to one in two (47%) Invisalign users say they had a boost of selfesteem while in the process of treatment, compared to just 22 percent of those who say this about their time wearing metal braces. 5 More than 2X the amount of teens say Invisalign provided a confidence boost than those who claim this about metal braces 20

21 6 Grass is Greener. Even those who are in the midst of wearing Invisalign are having better experiences than those with metal braces. They are being teased less (37% vs. 22%), happier (38% vs. 21%), feel a boost of confidence (38% vs. 19%), feel they fit in better with peers (16% vs. 11%), are involved in more extra-curricular activities (15% vs. 10%) and have added to their popularity (13% vs. 7%). 7 Teens wearing Invisalign are 68% more likely than those donning braces to be teased less often. 8 Brand Boost. Nearly nine in ten (86%) teens who have never worn brackets or aligners would ask their parents for Invisalign if they were told they need braces; and half (50%) would be extremely likely. * More of those ages year-olds than their counterparts ages (52% vs. 46%) would be very likely to ask for Invisalign. 9 86% are likely to ask their parents for Invisalign* *online survey of 1,496 teens who have never worn braces or aligners. 21

22 2 The Web They Weave Social media inflates strain on teens to look attractive. 85% 88% 63% 42% 52% 56% 51% 39% 47% 26% 1 For the World to See. More than nine in ten (92%) teens are social media users. And photo and video-focused sites or apps like Facebook (86%), YouTube (54%) and Instagram (53%) are most popular among this group. More girls than boys (94% vs. 90%) are on social media. And there s a gender trend regarding which networks these teens have joined: more boys than girls are on Facebook (88% vs. 85%) and YouTube (56% vs. 52%), while Instagram skews more female (63% vs. 42%). Which social media sites do you have an account with? Girls Boys 29% 27% 16% 15% 23% 9% Facebook Instagram YouTube Twitter Snapchat Vine Kik messenger Tumblr *Among those who have a social media account Significantly different across all networks 22

23 3 Invisalign users are more likely than those who wore or are wearing metal braces (97% vs. 93%) to have a profile on social media. There is also a difference among these groups as to which sites they joined. Which social media sites do you have an account with? 84% 86% Invisalign experience Metal Braces Experience =Significant difference 72% 53% 63% 59% 58% 51% 49% 41% 37% 24% 25% 20% 28% 18% Facebook YouTube Instagram Twitter Snapchat Vine Kik messenger Tumblr *Among those who have a social media account 23

24 4 Snapping Selfies. In fact, 87 percent of these youngsters post photos of themselves on social media. On average, they upload 17 photos of themselves each month. Nearly nine in ten (89%) girls who use social media post pictures of themselves, vs 83 percent of boys. And these females are posting an average of 7 more photos every month (20 vs. 13). More year-olds on these networks than those ages (88% vs. 84%) upload pictures of themselves. However, the younger group says they post more selfies each month (19 vs. 17). Teens on social media who feel they are attractive are more likely than those who don t (88% vs. 83%) to upload photos of themselves. 5 Under a Microscope. Two in five (40%) social media-using teens think their appearance is judged more closely on social media than in person. The same amount (40%) believe it s more difficult to express the image they want others to have of them on social media than in person. Girls are more likely than boys (42% vs. 37%) to feel their looks are judged more on these networks than face-to-face. Social Stress. This is likely why one in four (25%) teens on these networks worry about their social media presence most days. 6 My appearance is judged more on social media than in person 40% It s more difficult to express the image I want others to have of me on social media than in person 40% *Among those who have a social media account 24

25 7 Picture Perfect. What s more, teens take a critical eye to how they look before posting photos. Over two in five (47%) of those who post selfies on social media think about whether or not their smile looks good before uploading a picture of themselves. This is more than those who consider how their body (35%) looks before posting selfies. Social media-using teens currently wearing Invisalign are more likely than those wearing braces (50% vs. 44%) to say they think about how their smile looks before posting a picture of themselves on these networks. 8 What do you think about before posting pictures of yourself? The appearance of my * Smile 47% Body 35% 9 Prying Eyes. Nearly half (48%) of selfietakers stop to think about who will lay eyes on their photo, and others worry about whether their parents will disapprove (19%). 48% think about who will see their photo* 10 Closed Conversation. However, close to three in five (55%) social-media-using teens don t talk to their moms honestly about their activity on these sites. 55% aren t truthful with their moms about social media *Among those who post photos of themselves on social media 25

26 11 Happier Without It. And despite the popularity of social media, more than half (54%) year-olds assert that their teen years would be better if it wasn t available. Fifty-seven percent of year-olds think their adolescence would be better without social media in the world, vs. 52 percent of those ages Over 11 million teens believe their life would be better if social media didn t exist 13 Bad News Networks. Perhaps this is because these platforms can be a springboard for negativity among teens: Teens on social media are more likely than those who don t have these accounts (50% vs. 43%) to feel their peers judge them at least once a day. Nearly nine in ten (89%) social media users say they are self-conscious about their looks, vs. 78 percent of those who don t use these platforms. More social media users than those who stay off of these networks (60% vs. 50%) think it s embarrassing for teens when they don t fit in. Yet, more than half (53%) of social media-using teens admit they have teased someone, vs. 36 percent of those who don t partake in these networks. 14 Social Media-User Feel judged at least once a day Have teased someone Thinks it's embarrassing for teens to not fit in Are self-conscious about appearance Not Social Media-User 50% 43% 36% 53% 50% 60% 89% 78% 26

27 Moms 27

28 Reflecting on the Awkward Years Moms cringe about their appearance in their teen years. 1 2 Disappearing Act. Two in five (40%) moms who wore metal braces when they were a teenager would want to hide photos of them smiling with these brackets. And nearly one in five (19%) mothers would want to trash photos of them as a teen with crooked teeth. 58% of moms say wearing metal braces was mortifying as a teen Brace Face Memories. What s more, close to three in five (58%) of those who wore metal braces as a teenager say it was mortifying. 28

29 It s a Mother s Job to Worry Their teen s appearance causes concern for millions of moms. 1 No Confidence. Close to three in four (72%) moms are uncertain about whether or not their teen has ever been bullied for his or her appearance. Don t Talk About My Kid Like That. This information would clearly bother them. Nearly three in five (58%) moms would be more upset if they found out their teen was being teased for his or her appearance than if their son or daughter was getting bad grades. 2 Bearing the Burden. A majority (53%) of moms worry about her teen s self-esteem most days. Others admit concern for how well their teen is fitting in (36%) or how others view their son or daughter (23%). Most days, I worry about My teen's selfesteem How well my teen is fitting in 36% 53% How others view my teen 23% 29

30 3 Taking Notice. These worries likely stem from legitimate concerns. More than four in five (82%) moms think their teen is selfconscious about his or her appearance. They believe their teenager s weight (37%), skin type (22%) and teeth (12%) cause the most insecurity. Mothers are certainly in tune with the insecurities teenagers struggle with on a daily basis. Nearly nine in ten (88%) teens admit to being insecure about their looks and name their weight (38%), skin (21%) and teeth (13%) as the aspects of which they are most self-conscious. 4 Looking for Change. So it s no wonder that 82 percent of moms are sure their teen wishes to modify his or her appearance. More than two in five (44%) of these mothers think their teen wants to see a different number on the scale, and 30 percent believe they want to change their skin type. Over one in five (21%) agree their teen would want to change their teeth. They are, in fact, picking up on the right cues. Eighty-seven percent of teenagers want to change their appearance, with weight (46%), skin type (31%) and teeth (25%) on top of their wish list. 5 Is self-conscious about I think my teen Wants to change his/her Weight Skin type Teeth Weight Skin type Teeth 37% 22% 12% 44% 30% 21% 30

31 Times Have Changed Mothers realize today s teenage years are more painful than their formative years. 1 2 Normal Transformation. More than two in five moms think not fitting in (42%) or having low self-esteem (42%) was a normal part of being a teen when they were living those years. Many also think wearing metal braces (40%) and having crooked teeth (27%) were a rite of passage back then. However, times have clearly changed since teens are less likely to feel this way now. I think it s a normal part of being a teenager to Moms Teens Not Fit In 42% 38% Have Low Self-Esteem 42% 31% Wear Metal Braces 40% 34% Have Crooked Teeth 27% 20% 31

32 3 5 Troublesome Teen Years. Despite many thinking that certain parts of their teen years were normal, some awkward moments sparked shame. Many moms admit they were embarrassed as a teen to lack confidence (36%), not fit in (33%), and have crooked teeth (23%). Meanwhile, more of today s year-olds think these things are embarrassing for teens. 4 Moms It was embarrassing for me to Teens It s embarrassing for most teens to Current Challenges. Moms realize today s teens have it tougher than they did, especially when it comes to feeling safe at school (64%), dealing with bullies (61%), peer pressure to do drugs, drink or smoke (50%), schoolwork (48%), and dating (28%). Uncomfortable Times. They also think it s become increasingly difficult for teens to have a healthy self-esteem (35%) or fit in (35%). Not Fit In Have Crooked Teeth Have Low Self- Esteem 33% 23% 43% 36% 59% 57% 32

33 Silence is not Golden Moms skip talks about selfacceptance and confidence. 1 2 Simple Speech. Over one in two (52%) moms think it s easier for today s teens to have honest conversations with parents than it was when they were a teen. Way Back When. However, many are not having these important chats with their own teenagers. More than two in five (44%) moms say it s been over a month since they last talked to their teen about his or her confidence. 33

34 3 4 Closed-Mouth Policy. In fact, many moms admit they don t have open conversations with their teen about his or her appearance (29%) or self-acceptance (21%). Absent Dialogue. Even more teenagers are aware that these conversations are just not happening. Nearly half (48%) of teens say they are not having open talks with their mother about accepting themselves for who they are. Perhaps hearing how great they are from their moms would help give them a boost. Teens are more than twice as likely than moms to say they are not talking about self-acceptance Among Teens 48% Among Moms 21% Boys are more likely than girls to not talk to their mom about self-acceptance (51% vs. 45%) and appearance (43% vs. 36%). 5 Not So Sure. Then it s no wonder that close to half (48%) of moms are not extremely confident that their teen would come to them with concerns related to his or her appearance, making the need for conversations that much more important. 34

35 Dislike This Social media adds to the list of worries for moms. 1 It s All Out There. Likely because of the social media age, many moms understand that it s more difficult for today s teens to feel constantly exposed (51%), and it s tougher to hide embarrassing moments or photos (38%). 2 3 Facebook Frets. So it s no wonder that two in five (40%) moms have concerns about their teen s activity on social media. I typically worry more about what my teen is doing in his or her More of those with teen daughters than sons (43% vs. 36%) share this concern. What in the World Wide Web? And nearly half (46%) of moms worry more about what their teen is doing in their virtual life than in real life. 46% Virtual life Real life 54% 35

36 Heavy Metal Mothers worry about the negative impact of teens wearing braces. 1 Sorry to Say This, But Over half (53%) of moms are not extremely satisfied with the look of their teen s teeth. Perhaps teenagers are even harder on their own looks than their mothers are. Seventy percent of teens admit they are not very satisfied with their smile. Among Moms Among 53% Teens 70% 2 Rose-Colored Glasses. What s more, a third (33%) of mothers think their teen would say having crooked teeth is embarrassing for kids their age. But a solution to fix them isn t great either. Nearly one in five (18%) think their teen would be ashamed to wear metal braces. 3 It s embarrassing for teens to Have crooked teeth 33% 57% 73% more likely than moms Still, it seems that moms are seeing things more optimistically than teens since 57 percent of teens agree that it s shameful to have crooked teeth, and 41 percent say this about donning metal braces. Wear metal braces 18% Mothers Teens 41% 128% more likely than moms 36

37 4 Picked Apart. What s more, less than one in four (24%) moms think braces-wearing teens would be picked on, while 38 percent of year-olds who have never worn brackets worry that they would be teased if they donned braces. Seeing Eye to Eye. But mothers and teenagers are on the same page when it comes to the bad effects of wearing braces. Over half of moms (54%) and teens who have never worn metal braces (53%) think that donning them would have a negative impact on a teen s self-esteem. 5 Raising Concerns. Similarly, over nine in ten (91%) moms with teens who have not worn metal braces would worry about their son or daughter wearing them. More than one-third of them would fret about his or her self-esteem (35%) or getting teased (34%). This matches the 93 percent of teens who have never worn braces who admit they would have worries if they were to get these brackets, with many expressing concern about being teased (41%) or what it would do to their confidence (28%). 6 If my teen wore braces, I would be concerned about * His or her self-esteem 35% Him or her getting teased 34% *Among moms with teens who have never worn metal braces 37

38 7 Please Don t Make Me, Mom! And many moms whose teen has not worn braces realize their youngster wouldn t be very thrilled if they did meet this fate. More than one in three (34%) believe their teen would be upset if they had to wear metal braces now, and 24 percent think they would be embarrassed. 8 If my teen had to wear braces, he or she would be * Upset Embarrassed 9 And, in fact, 39 percent of teens who have yet to wear braces would be upset, and 27 percent predict they would feel embarrassed. The Clear Solution. Sparing their kid from embarrassment and upset is likely why more than four in five (81%) moms whose teen has not worn any type of braces or aligners would get their son or daughter Invisalign; 27 percent would be very likely to do this % 24% *Among moms with teens who have never worn metal braces 81% would get Invisalign if their son or daughter needs braces* *Among moms with teens who have never worn any type of braces or aligners 38

39 Moms of teens with Invisalign experience 39

40 Want What s Best for Their Kids Moms who chose Invisalign for their teens hoped to avoid harm due to metal braces, and noticed positive effects from their teen s aligners. 1 Set for Success. More moms of teens with Invisalign experience than those of teens who wore or are wearing metal brackets think that a year-old donning braces would feel awkward (50% vs. 31%), not like his or her appearance (44% vs. 23%), be teased (34% vs. 14%), or have lower self esteem than prior to wearing braces (28% vs. 13%). 2 The Downside. Moms with teens with Invisalign experience are also more likely than mothers of teens with experience donning braces (70% vs. 40%) to think wearing metal brackets would have a negative impact on a year-old s self-esteem. 3 Wearing metal braces would have a negative impact on a teen s confidence Moms of teens with Invisalign experience Moms of teens with metal braces experience 70% 40% 40

41 4 Heads Down. In fact, over one-quarter (28%) of moms with teens who have experience with Invisalign believe their teen would think wearing braces would be embarrassing for most teens, compared to 19 percent of mothers of teens who have worn or wear metal brackets. 5 Stir Up Feelings. And many mothers who ve opted their youngster in for Invisalign think their teen would feel embarrassed (39%) if he or she had to don metal braces now. More than two in five believe their son or daughter would be frustrated (44%) or upset (43%). 6 Concerned Parents. Over nine in ten (91%) moms of those with Invisalign experience would worry if their teen got braces right now. Their concerns include their youngster getting teased (46%), not looking his or her best for important events and pictures (25%), or not being able to participate in sports or other activities (14%). They would also be concerned about the impact braces would have on their son or daughter s confidence (43%), and that their teen s looks might change while wearing these brackets (20%). 7 If their son or daughter got metal braces, moms of teens with Invisalign experience would worry that He or she would get teased 46% The braces would impact his or her self-esteem 43% 41

42 8 The Best Choice. Moms who chose Invisalign over metal braces for their teen say they did so because they thought their teen would look better (53%), that it would be less painful (44%), that they didn t want their teen to be teased (41%), that they didn t want their teen to worry about breaking a bracket (28%) or avoiding certain foods (26%). 9 I chose Invisalign for my teen because My teen would look better 53% I didn t want my teen to be teased It would be less painful for my teen 44% 41% *among respondents whose teen wore or is wearing Invisalign 10 Not a Laughing Matter. Making efforts to try to avoid their son or daughter from being picked on for wearing braces is likely motivated by the fact that nearly one in five (19%) moms of year-olds with Invisalign experience think their teen has been teased for having crooked teeth, compared to just 9 percent of moms whose teens wore or wear braces. 11 Sigh of Relief. Still, more moms with teens with Invisalign experience than moms with teens with metal braces experience (38% vs. 29%) can say with 100% certainty their teen hasn t been bullied for their appearance. 42

43 12 13 Smiley Face. Moms with teens with Invisalign experience are more likely than moms with teens with metal braces experience (41% vs. 31%) to feel their teen has become happier since getting aligners or braces. Getting Active. More mothers of teens who wore or wear Invisalign than moms of teens with experience wearing metal braces (13% vs. 7%) say their child has become more involved in extra-curricular activities since getting aligners or braces. 14 Since getting his or her Invisalign/braces, my teen is 41% 31% Moms of teens with Invisalign experience Moms of teens with metal braces experience 13% 7% Happier More involved in more extra-curricular activities *among respondents whose teens currently have metal braces or Invisalign 43

44 15 16 Generational Shift. Nearly seven in ten (68%) moms of teens with Invisalign experience believe their teenager is more confident than they were at their age, vs. 58 percent of moms whose son or daughter wears or wore braces. What a Boost! More moms with teens with Invisalign experience than moms with teens with metal braces experience (21% vs. 11%) think their teen has very high self-esteem. 17 Nearly 2Xs as many moms of teens with Invisalign experience say their teen has extremely high confidence Moms of teens with Invisalign experience 21% Moms of teens with metal braces experience 11% 44

45 Teens: Main Sample = 3,577 Americans Ages 13-17, including 172 who wear or have worn Invisalign Margin of Error = +/- 1.6 Percent Moms: Main Sample = 2,118 American Mothers of Teens Ages Margin of Error = +/- 2.1 Percent Moms of Teens with Invisalign Experience= 151 American Mothers of Teens Ages Who Wear or Have Worn Invisalign Margin of Error = +/- 8 Percent About The Survey The Invisalign Teen Confidence Survey was conducted between June 19 th and July 7 th, 2014 among 3,577 Americans ages and 2,118 American mothers of teens ages 13-17, plus an oversample of 101 mothers of teens ages who wear or have worn Invisalign, using an invitation and an online survey. Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of the variation is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews and the level of the percentages expressing the results. In this particular study, the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 1.6 percentage points (for the teen portion) or 2.1 percentage points (for the mother portion) from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all personas in the universe represented by the sample. The margin of error for any subgroups will be slightly higher. Kelton is a leading global insights firm serving as a partner to more than 100 of the Fortune 500 and thousands of smaller companies and organizations. Utilizing a wide range of customized, innovative research techniques and staff expertise in marketing, branding, PR, media, and business strategy, Kelton helps drive our clients businesses forward. For more information about Kelton please call KELTON or visit All comparison statistics in this document are significantly different. 45