It is no secret that the United States is concerned about beauty. This is why cosmetic surgery is so popular, weight loss is big business, and cosmetic dentistry procedures have increased 300% in the last 5 years.
When one person smiles, it can make a big difference to the first impression when meeting another person. They can boost a person’s self-esteem and 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 that looks at 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 kindness. Interestingly, 78% of the adults in the survey agreed that an individual smile reveals a lot about their character. More than half of the 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 at 57% do not believe that store bought teeth whitening products are as effective as teeth whitening performed by a professional dentist.
Tooth whitening with a professional will help take into consideration other problems 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 typically used in a professional setting, while carbamide peroxide is what is commonly found in homemade or over-the-counter 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 up the stains. This makes the teeth appear brighter and whiter. When performed in an office setting, dentistry will use a higher concentration of peroxide because it protects the soft tissues in the mouth along with UV lamps that can improve results and make the procedure faster.
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.