Bad Breath and Dodgy Teeth are the UK’s Biggest First Date Turn-offs

A recent UK survey, carried out by the Dental Law Partnership, has revealed that the biggest turn-off for those on a first date is when the other person has poor oral health.

45% of all survey respondents cited that their date having either bad breath or wonky/yellow teeth is their top dating bugbear. A significant 42% of women aged 55-64 indicated that bad breath is their biggest turn-off of all, whilst going on a first date with someone that has wonky or yellow teeth is a major turn off for women aged 18-24 (27%) and for 18% of men aged 25-34.

32% of respondents cited their companion being on their phone all of the time as their biggest first date turn off, with the least tolerant of this type of behaviour being women aged between 35-44 years of age (44%). The respondents that seem least bothered by their date spending much of their time together looking at their phone are women aged between 18-24 years, with only 26% indicating that this is their top complaint.

Other dating turn-offs that the survey highlighted include a first date companion eating with their mouth open (13%), or turning up late to the date in the first place (10%).

The included graphic below shows more of the survey results.

Chris Dean, from dental negligence claim experts, the Dental Law Partnership, said, “The survey shows that whilst good manners and behaviour on dates are very important to people looking for love, physical factors, such as someone’s poor oral hygiene or a crooked smile, can also really count against them in the early impression they make on a potential partner.

“It comes as little surprise to us that the survey shows the biggest turn-offs for daters include their companion having wonky or yellow teeth, or bad breath, because we know how important good dental health is to people. We speak to clients every day who feel self-conscious about their teeth after being let down by their dentists, who sadly don’t always provide the levels of care they should.”