What is the Hollywood Smile?
You see them nearly everywhere you look; at the grocery store checkout line, billboards, commercials, and magazines. One of the classic presentations of Hollywood style is the Hollywood smile. These smiles are blinding us at nearly every turn and Americans are yearning to follow suit. According to MSNBC, Americans currently spend $1.4 billion on over-the-counter teeth whitening products. Is it too much? Will the white shown on camera look as good in real life? In reality there is a fine line between a white smile that can enhance an appearance significantly and one that has gone too far.
Bleachorexia – it is Real!
Some Americans are doing everything they can in an attempt to attain that smile. The trend is called “bleachorexic”. Many Americans go far beyond the recommendations for usage of over-the-counter products and still think their teeth are not white enough. While they think their teeth are not white enough, many people they encounter immediately recognize teeth that are obviously artificially whitened. This is the same effect of the orange colored spray tans.
What About Whitening if You Have Had Previous Dental Restorations?
Under the FAQ section of Crest 3D (Whitestrips) website, in caps it states CREST 3D WHITE WHITESTRIPS WILL ONLY WHITEN NATURAL TEETH. The only trouble is that most consumers who purchase over-the-counter whitening products and those that go to the “whitening spas” have visited the FAQ section. The result is that it is possible that overall the teeth can become brighter and those that have had restorations (crowns, fillings, etc.) will not. This could be a costly mistake.
Just Enough of a Good Thing
According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, teeth whitening is the number one asked for cosmetic dental procedure. In addition, a healthy percentage of dentists have had whitening procedures done on themselves and their families. Whitening can be a terrific way to enhance the smile and overall appearance. Some stains and other generalized discolorations can stand out and many people are reluctant to smile because of these defects.
Dentists offer whitening by various methods as a cosmetic dental treatment. There are several benefits to utilizing your dental professional to obtain whitening results. First, they have spent years studying teeth. Your dentist has shade guides, experience, and knowledge regarding your dental history that can allow him/her to make an educated and informed decision regarding your whitening options.
In addition, this can all be done in a controlled environment and often in as little as an hour. If you are thinking about whitening we encourage you to call us at (904) 285-7711 or contact us online.