The poll of more than 300 dentists, conducted for the Chicago Dental Society's 143rd annual Midwinter Meeting in Chicago, found of the Democratic presidential candidates, U.S. Sens. Barack Obama and John Edwards were neck and neck at 38 percent and 36 percent of the vote, respectively, for best smile.

Of the Republican candidates, John McCain and Mike Huckabee have not impressed voters with toothy grins. McCain's smile was favored by 6 percent and Huckabee's by 10 percent.

A majority of the dentists said childbirth really is tougher than pulling teeth, while raising teenagers came in a close second.

The poll also found that more than 85 percent of dentists surveyed find more adult patients -- particularly women -- are considering braces or other orthodontic treatment.