It’s no secret that America cares about beauty. That’s why cosmetic surgery is so popular, weight loss is big business, and cosmetic dentistry procedures have increased 300% in the last 5 years.
When a person smiles, it can make a big difference in the first impression when meeting another person. They can increase a person’s self-esteem, self-confidence, and play an important role in a professional situation such as closing a deal, getting a job, and even a factor in the salary offered.
A Harris Interactive survey was recently conducted to analyze people’s perceptions of teeth whitening and smiles. That study showed that 89% of adults agreed that a bright or white smile makes a good first impression. The survey was sponsored by a company called Philips, which makes the Zoom Whitening product and Sonicare toothbrushes.
55% of adults believe that an individual smile is the best physical indicator of a person’s friendliness. Interestingly, 78% of adults surveyed agreed that an individual smile reveals a lot about their character. More than half of people in the survey (53%) said that if they could fix one thing about their smile, it would be the whiteness of their teeth. This was more than any other cosmetic problem, including the straightness of the teeth.
The majority of adults (57%) do not believe that store-bought teeth whitening products are as effective as teeth whitening by a professional dentist.
Professional teeth whitening will help take into account other issues the patient may be experiencing, such as diabetes, heart problems, or tooth sensitivity, and will take all of those issues into consideration and make the appropriate decision on what is right for the patient.
The materials used to whiten teeth are based on carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide tends to be a faster and stronger bleaching agent that is typically used in a professional setting, while carbamide peroxide is what is commonly found in over-the-counter or home bleaching products.
Peroxide breaks down and is absorbed into a person’s teeth due to porosity. It adheres to the stain particles and removes them by breaking down the stains. This makes the teeth look brighter and whiter. When done in an office, dentistry will use a higher concentration of peroxide because it protects the soft tissues of the mouth along with the use of ultraviolet lamps that can improve results and speed up the procedure.
The risks of teeth whitening are generally low, but it is a good idea to speak with a dental professional before teeth whitening to ensure safe and optimal results.