Why are Americans obsessed with ice white teeth ?

Question

Don't get me wrong, I like clean teeth. But most Americans just take it too far

Answer 1

Americans tend to be very image-oriented. Have to be skinny, have to have perfect hair, perfect skin, perfect teeth. Skinny people with perfect hair, skin and teeth tend to get the better jobs, no matter how unqualified they are. Their looks, not their abilities, are what gets them paid.

I think it's stupid and that people take their appearances too far. I agree with you; basic hygiene is good, but artificially whitening teeth is just going too far. (When someone's teeth are too white, I assume they're wearing dentures and to me, that's very unattractive.)

Answer 2

I noticed that a lot of the answers are against "Americans" being obsessed with white teeth.

Perhaps many do not realize that as children, we are taught the importance of good dental hygiene. Granted, some go too far and become vain and bleach the teeth (an advertisement through the dentistry companies, though) and other such things that give them the celebrity look. As one person pointed out, the "image" is important in all aspects of our daily life.

I would also like to point out that seeing a mouth filled with decaying teeth or even "yellowed" teeth really turns one's stomach. This is another reason people want clean, white teeth. Not all of us bleach; we just have white teeth because we do not smoke or over indulge in coffee/tea or drugs. It's just natural. If one does not have that natural whiteness, the dentists often suggests whitening and some "bleach" because the whitening hasn't always done the trick (for example, my friend had braces on for 18 months and had her teeth whitened but felt they weren't as white as she'd expected and was disappointed).

I think that in other countries, there just is no shame in having an ugly smile.

Answer 3

It's about health, looks, and social class. Health: White, straight teeth give an impression of good health. Looks: All people aspire to look good. American culture, however, saw celebrities, advertisement, and news reporters suddenly get perfect teeth, because it a quick and easy way to enhance looks. Now teeth have become one of the most important aspects of looking good. Class: Having perfect teeth indicates that you can afford to have them, and perfect teeth don't come cheap. So, teeth are an indicator of social and economic class. Class is extremely important in American society. The idea of social mobility is the driving force behind the American dream, and the American psyche. As Americans saw the wealthy get perfect teeth because they could afford it, then the drive to perfect teeth spread to the middle and lower classes to such a degree, that in American culture, you can generally judge income brackets by the condition of someone's teeth.

Answer 4

It's not "healthy" whites, it's "wealthy" whites.
See, Americans don't have dental insurance covered (or insurance really just barely covers the basics- barely), and you have to spit out a lot of money if you want to get that perfect smile. It's a status symbol first and foremost, it sort of puts you in an upper class immediately. It's very superficial and stupid, but that's the way it is.

Answer 5

I agree that those brilliant white perfectly even teeth look unnatural. Along with botoxed faces et al! They just don't look human some of those people. I've nothing against Americans or anyone wanting to make the best of themselves, but give me an English Rose natural look any day.

Pearly is one thing, dazzling ultra-bright white is another! I prefer pearly!

Answer 6

One it is good hygiene and some people who have white teeth don't necessarily bleach them. And please remember brushing and flossing are very important. What person wants to kiss someone who has breath like they ate a decaying dead animal? And what person would kiss someone with a mossy, yellowish looking teeth? eww yuck. Ugly yellow teeth are just a complete turn off.

Answer 7

It's all part of "Keep up with the Joneses" concept. They want to be better than the person next door, the super star on TV etc. I personally have white teeth and I want to keep it that way, but I wouldn't go to extremes, it looks so fake when your smile dazzles!

Answer 8

Several reasons...one is that millions of dollars have been spent on advertising...another is that ones teeth (their appearance) can affect employment opportunities (several business journal studies corroborate this)...a third reason is the proliferation of whitening strips at large discount stores like walmart for a very inexpensive price...and a fourth reason is the 'fad' factor.

Answer 9

I cannot answer for them but imagine they realise the importance good healthy teeth play in increasing your level of confidence and the resultant impact this has on your relationships in personal or professional situations.

Answer 10

its because our dentist's are like "you have one little brown spot right there! we need to fix that!" And the reason why some people are obsessed with their looks is becuase they think they are ugly and fat because of what people say about us, I had a friend die from anorexia becuase she thoguht that because america is getting fatter that all the other countries thought we were disgusting so she stopped eating and died because of the mean untrue things people say about america.