Teeth Whitening a Priority for Irish
The Irish are not known for their pride in their teeth, but research suggests that teeth whitening is more of priority for Irish people than cavities or receding gums.
The research that says a pearly white smile is more important to Irish people than dealing with cavities or receding gums reveals how endemic the desire for a white smile has become. It’s worth noting however that any cosmetic dentist worth his or her salt wouldn’t undertake a teeth whitening procedure on teeth that weren’t in a healthy condition. But it does reveal how cultural attitudes have shifted. Teeth whitening is a relatively new phenomenon in the UK and Ireland compared to the States, where it’s a matter of routine. But the fact that more teeth whitening products and procedures are becoming accessible and available, as well as affordable, means more of us are opting for the cosmetic treatment.
Ten Years Younger
Teeth whitening can take up to ten years off a person’s age. It’s not surprising that so many people have now decided teeth whitening is a part of their beauty regime. But Ireland still has a long way to go addressing basic dental health. A Health Research Board report in 2009 said tooth decay was the single most chronic disease in Irish children. It also found that half of five year olds in non-fluoridated areas in Ireland and one in three in fluoridated areas had one or more teeth that were decayed, filled or removed because of decay. What’s more, half of all 12 year olds and three quarters of all 15 year olds had experienced decay.
Teeth whitening certainly helps make teeth look healthy, clean and bright, but it won’t help stop decay or gum disease. It is crucial people regularly visit their dentist in order to maintain a healthy, bright smile. The health board recommended that all babies in Ireland receive an oral assessment from the age of eight months.
Teeth whitening certainly helps make teeth look healthy, clean and bright, but it won’t help stop decay or gum disease. It is crucial people regularly visit their dentist in order to maintain a healthy, bright smile. The health board recommended that all babies in Ireland receive an oral assessment from the age of eight months.
The MacGowan Legacy
Although the Irish may be embracing teeth whitening procedures like never before, it seems they still have a big mountain to climb. With role models such as former Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan, it’s not surprising the Irish labour under negative stereotypes about the state of their teeth. MacGowan was famous for his crooked and missing teeth but had cosmetic dentistry to transform his smile. Unfortunately The Irish Examiner reported that he lost most of his teeth after an all-day drinking session after he fell over a wall in Limerick. The Irish Examiner quoted his drinking buddy Dan Gleeson as saying: “We were driving through a village called Kilcurry at about 11pm and stopped because Shane wanted to be sick. The next thing I saw were two feet disappearing over a wall. When he got back on his feet he found he'd lost two more teeth. He was a bit shaken and sore and gutted because he hasn't got that many teeth to lose.”
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