beauty addict

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The latest trends, techniques, and insider secrets—revealed.

White Now
The season’s hottest accessory isn’t a designer bag or compact. It’s a bright, sparkling set of pearly whites.
By Tricia Chinn-Campbell

Maybe it’s the megawatt grins that grace magazine covers, the beaming teeth every celebrity is sporting these days, or something more deeply ingrained, but whatever it is, beauty and a bright smile are inextricably linked in our collective consciousness. According to a survey conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, 96 percent of U.S. adults believe that an attractive smile makes a person more appealing to the opposite sex, 74 percent feel that an unattractive smile can hurt a person’s chances for career success, and a whopping 99.7 percent believe a smile is an important social asset. Given these statistics, is it any wonder why so many people are jumping on the teeth-whitening bandwagon? Of course, there are countless formulas out there promising to lighten and brighten, as well as several misconceptions about the history of teeth whitening and what determines the color of our chompers, so we turned to the experts to get their take.

Bright Ideas
Although its visibility has escalated in recent years, tooth whitening actually dates back to the ancient Egyptians, who reportedly brushed their teeth with a paste of powdered pumice stone and wine vinegar applied to wooden chew sticks. Centuries later, wealthy Romans added Portuguese urine to the mix (the ammonia functioned as the active ingredient, and urine from Portugal was believed to be the most effective lightening agent). Throughout medieval times, teeth whitening continued to be widely practiced, as pale teeth were considered an indicator of social status—a trend that continued into the modern era of teeth bleaching, which began in the 1970s with a system that orthodontist William Klusmier discovered quite by accident. After instructing a patient to use an oral antiseptic containing 10 percent carbamide peroxide in a nightguard to facilitate tissue healing, Klusmier noticed that the patient’s teeth were significantly lighter. News of his discovery soon spread, and teeth whitening quickly became a cultural mainstay.

Pearls of Wisdom
Despite the fact that teeth-whitening is so longstanding, the reasons why even the most dazzling smiles eventually lose their luster remained elusive for many years. Even today, some people are under the impression that tooth discoloration is the sole product of lifestyle choices. However, according to Dr. Joseph Stan, who treats many high-profile celebrities at Aesthetic and Implant Dentistry of Beverly Hills, tooth discoloration is often simply a natural side effect of the aging progress. “As we get older, the enamel gets thinner, and the dentin—the main, calcareous part of a tooth, beneath the enamel and surrounding the pulp chamber and root canals—gets thicker and appears more yellow,” he explains. “In addition, medicines including antibiotics, blood thinners, and antihypertensives, along with cancer treatments, can also make teeth more yellow.” That said, everyday lifestyle choices can speed the process. Familiar culprits include poor dental hygiene, tobacco, red wine, coffee, and tea, but there are also lesser-known offenders, like fizzy drinks, antihistamines, fruit juice, yogurt, excessive fluoride, and mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride. Of course, genetics also plays a big role in determining the shade of your teeth too, since natural brightness and amount of enamel vary from person to person.

D.I.Y. Lightening
These days, there are a variety of at-home teeth-whitening options. However, “all whitening products are not created equal,” notes Jamal Muashsher, assistant brand manager of Crest Whitestrips. “They differ in terms of the technology that is utilized, including active ingredients, application, treatment time, and price. There are tray-based whitening systems, strips, paint-ons, and whitening wands.” Perhaps the best-selling and most beloved product in the category is Crest Whitestrips—affordable, easy-to-use strips that, when applied twice a day for 30 minutes, typically yield a brighter smile in a week to 14 days. Because you can wear them when you’re getting ready for work or preparing for sleep, the strips are particularly convenient, and as long as you have your natural permanent teeth, as opposed to baby teeth, crowns, or bridges, they’re suitable. Other popular over-the-counter brands include GoSmile, Colgate Simply White, and Avon Beautifully Brite. Although all of these products are considered safe for home use, experts are quick to point out that you must position the product as directed (so you don’t run the risk of irritating gums) and should not exceed the recommended wear time. In some cases, consumers make the mistake of thinking they'll yield brighter results by leaving the product on longer, but as Stan cautions, “too much bleaching can wear away the enamel and the dentin, causing permanent translucency.”

Getting Pale With the Pros
Of course, the chances that you’ll go wrong with dentist-supervised whitening are slim to none, which is why people with sensitive gums or other dental issues should consult with a professional to determine the method that’s best for them. Two of the most popular in-office solutions are custom-fitted gel trays and laser treatments. Because the latter can be performed in an hour, it’s especially appealing for busy people seeking instant results. A more expensive but highly effective option is porcelain veneers, superthin pieces of custom-designed porcelain that are glued to the teeth to serve as protective shells. Unlike other whitening methods, porcelain veneers don’t stain, fade, or change color and typically last for ten to 15 years. These unique selling points have made them standard issue for many actors and actresses—just in case you were wondering where those megawatt smiles really come from!

Photo credit: Graça Victoria

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