It’s no secret that United States is concerned about beauty. That’s why cosmetic surgery is so popular, weight loss is a big business, and cosmetic dentistry procedures have increased 300% over the last 5 years.
When a person smiles, they can make a huge difference in the first impression in meeting another individual. They can increase a person’s self-esteem, self-confidence, and play a large role in a professional situation such as closing a deal, obtaining a job, and even a factor in the salary offered.
A Harris Interactive survey was accomplished recently looking at individuals perceptions of teeth whitening and smiles. That study showed that 89% of adults agreed that a white or bright smile makes a good first impression. The survey was sponsored by a company called Philips, which makes the Zoom Whitening product as well as Sonicare toothbrushes.
55% of adults believe that an individual smile is the best physical indicator of a person’s friendliness. Interestingly, 78% of adults in the survey agreed that an individual smile reveals a lot about his or her character. Over half of the people in the survey at 53% said if they could fix one thing about their smile it would be the whiteness of their teeth. This was more than any other cosmetic issue including teeth straightness.
Most adults at 57% do not believe that the teeth whitening products bought in a store are as effective as teeth whitening performed by a professional dentist.
Teeth whitening with a professional will help take into consideration other issues that the patient may be experiencing such as diabetes or cardiac issues or teeth sensitivity, and take into consideration all those issues and make the appropriate decision as to what is right for the patient.
The materials that are utilized for teeth whitening are based on either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide tends to be a faster and stronger bleaching agent that is typically used in a professional setting whereas carbamide peroxide is what is commonly found in the at home or over-the-counter whitening products.
The peroxide breaks down and absorbs his way into a person’s teeth because of the porosity. It attaches itself to the stain particles and removes them by breaking the stains apart. This makes the teeth appear brighter and whiter. When done in an office setting, dentistry will to use a higher concentration of peroxide because they protect the soft tissues of the mouth along with also using ultraviolet lamps that can enhance the 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 prior to teeth whitening to ensure safe results and optimal outcomes.
