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Origin of the American Smile – Why We Love Perfect Teeth
Cherrywood Dental • Mar 21, 2017
It’s no secret – as Americans, we’re obsessed with smiles. But living within our bubble can make us forget that other cultures don’t share this fascination. The “Hollywood smile” got its name for a reason – because we’re so preoccupied with white, straight, “perfect” teeth. What perfect means is another conversation. But what perfect means to you is what you deserve to achieve, and that’s what we’re here to help with.
Read on to learn more about why we love smiles that look just right, and where in American history this concept came from. No matter the source of this obsession, we can’t argue that we all care about the way our teeth look. If you’re interested in changing your smile, you owe it to yourself to find out more about your options. As Lumineers providers, we’ve helped countless patients achieve smiles they love – and yours could be next. Schedule a free consultation to learn more about what you can gain from these ultra-thin veneers.
Why Americans Are Obsessed with Straight, White Teeth
The concept of the Hollywood smile goes all the way back to the Great Depression. This was a time when films were just starting to be regularly released, and the American public was experiencing moviegoing for the first time.
A dentist named Charles Pincus opened an office on Hollywood and Vine and began marketing to the movie studios. Dr. Pincus saw that actors like James Dean, Judy Garland and Shirley Temple didn’t have teeth that matched their symmetrical, beautiful faces. He started creating smiles that allowed actors to present teeth that suited their overall looks. Shirley Temple actually wore snap-on veneers that covered up her loss of baby teeth – no matter what, she always had a full, adorable smile.
As time passed and perfect teeth became synonymous with the wealth and fame of movie stars, that impacted what the American public took great smiles to mean in general. As years went by, beautiful teeth grew more closely associated with having money, success and a high level of personal status. Today, flashing a symmetrical and aesthetically pleasing smile means more than just looking like a movie star. Multiple studies have shown that we associate so many positive attributes with great teeth, from health to success to friendliness and approachability. And that’s all related to how others view you – when you add in the self esteem and confidence that can stem from a beautiful smile, the importance of your grin is immediately clear.
Achieving Your Own Perfect Smile
Of course, “perfect” means something different to everyone. When you’re considering which dental treatment speaks to you, you may gravitate toward teeth whitening, Invisalign, bonding or something else entirely. The treatment that will fit is one that satisfies your aesthetic goals while keeping your smile functioning well and feeling natural.
We can think of a treatment that satisfies all those criteria. Lumineers are thin porcelain veneers that offer natural-looking teeth without significant tooth reduction. This allows even patients who are anxious about dental work to receive a smile makeover. Lumineers patients can accomplish any (or all) of the following:
- Straighten teeth
- Lengthen worn teeth
- Reduce sensitivity from worn enamel
- Stained enamel that refuses to whiten
- Change tooth size or shape
- Gently enhance lips
- Achieve a full smile makeover
…and so much more. If there’s something about your teeth you’d like to tweak, just get in touch to schedule your free consultation. We look forward to bringing your own Hollywood smile to life!