{"id":856,"date":"2016-05-05T17:03:30","date_gmt":"2016-05-05T17:03:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thedentalexpress.com\/why-are-americans-obsessed-with-straighter-whiter-teeth\/"},"modified":"2023-07-27T10:55:24","modified_gmt":"2023-07-27T10:55:24","slug":"why-are-americans-obsessed-with-straighter-whiter-teeth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thedentalexpress.com\/dental-blog\/american-obsession-straight-white-teeth\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Are Americans Obsessed with Straighter, Whiter Teeth?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Why<\/h2>\n

Why Are Americans Obsessed with Straighter, Whiter Teeth:<\/strong> If you\u2019ve traveled abroad, you may have heard residents of other countries comment on some American stereotypes. While some are not deserved, one in particular rings true: Americans are obsessed with their teeth.<\/strong>\u00a0If there\u2019s any doubt, look no further than the perfectly straight, gleaming celebrity smiles beaming from the cover of magazines.\u00a0Even British comedian Ricky Gervais confesses\u00a0he\u2019s not quite sure what to think of the U.S. preoccupation with winning smiles, and he freely admits his teeth are neither straight nor white. According to New York Magazine, Americans are willing to sacrifice to achieve the smile of their dreams.\u00a0About 39 percent are willing to give up desserts if it means a better smile.<\/strong>\u00a0So why are we obsessed with keeping our pearly whites pearly white? There\u2019s no single answer, but several factors come into play.<\/p>\n

Whiter teeth boost self-esteem<\/h3>\n

Imagine you\u2019re interviewing two candidates for a job in your Clairemont Mesa office. While both of them are equally qualified, one has a bright, straight, white smile, while the other has yellowed and crooked teeth. Which one would you favor? While it\u2019s wrong to judge a book by its cover, the bottom line is that first impressions make a big difference. According to studies,\u00a0those with white, straight teeth are 38 percent more likely to be perceived as smart.<\/strong>\u00a0The same percentage\u00a0would turn down a date with someone who had misaligned teeth. In a culture that values youth and success, it\u2019s no wonder that Americans smile upon those who have picture-perfect pearly whites. Those who are self-conscious about their teeth may be unsure of themselves, and this hesitancy causes them to miss out on some wonderful opportunities.\u00a0A good smile can transform someone from the inside out.<\/p>\n

Whitening availability<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s obvious, but true. If you don\u2019t have easy access to a variety of cosmetic dental procedures, you\u2019re less likely to go to the time and expense of having them done. The tooth whitening industry has dramatically expanded over the past ten years, offering everything from at-home whitening strips to periodontist laser gum treatment<\/a>.
\n. Residents of San Diego have several local teeth whitening resources\u00a0available.<\/p>\n

One thing leads to another<\/h3>\n

The number of North American teenagers getting braces or other types of orthodontic treatment has nearly doubled—80 percent now see an orthodontist.\u00a0It makes no sense to spend time and money to put a whiter smile on crooked teeth.<\/p>\n

Straighter teeth are healthier<\/h3>\n

Crooked, uneven, crowded or misaligned teeth can lead to other oral health problems.<\/strong>\u00a0Crowded teeth make it difficult to brush and floss properly, allowing bacteria and plaque to multiply. In addition to the cosmetic value of an even smile, orthodontic treatment can help prevent:<\/p>\n