How To Avoid 'Toilet Bowl Teeth' And A 'Skim Milk Smile'

Main Category: Dentistry
Article Date: 21 Feb 2007 - 0:00 PDT

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The Chicago Dental Society (CDS) recently polled more than 350 dentists about issues such as their own dental habits, how to maintain healthy teeth and gums, and what is really worse than a root canal.

As we countdown to CDS's annual Midwinter Meeting, one of the largest displays of dental products in North America, here are a few of the leading signs of overwhitened teeth:

"Toilet bowl teeth." Teeth have unnaturally and uniformly white appearance, like a toilet bowl or Chiclets gum.

"Skim milk smile." Overuse of whitening products can give teeth a translucent blue or gray tinge.

Teeth are too sensitive. Overusing whitening products can make teeth painfully sensitive to temperature and pressure.

Teeth practically "glow in the dark." Dentists say your teeth should not be whiter than the whites of your eyes to keep a natural-looking smile.

Data was collected for the Chicago Dental Society's 142nd annual Midwinter Meeting, which begins at McCormick Place in Chicago on February 22, 2007. The exhibit floor opens on February 23.

Chicago Dental Society
http://www.cds.org/

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