Philips, the makers of Sonicare power toothbrushes and Zoom whitening, announced today the launch of a new educational campaign called Get It right!, which encourages people to engage a dental professional in the teeth whitening process to ensure a healthy smile worthy of a great first impression. Smiling is an instinct that starts as early as one month of age and as we grow it becomes one of our most important social assets. “Smiling affects not only how someone feels, but also how others perceive that person,” said psychologist, executive coach and author Ann Demarais, Ph.D. “in fact, research suggests there are a number of benefits to smiling – from a mood enhancer to being more socially appealing.”
The majority of Americans agree. A recent telephone survey conducted by Harris Interactive, and commissioned by Philips as part of the Get It right! campaign, found that 89 percent of adults agree that a bright or white smile makes a good first impression and 55 percent believe a person’s smile is the best physical indicator of someone’s friendliness. given this, it is no surprise that the survey also found that more than half (53 percent) of adults say if they could enhance one thing about their smile it would be the whiteness of their teeth, more than the straightness of their teeth or any other cosmetic feature.¹
The survey also revealed that while most adults feel that a smile is important for how a person is perceived, there is a gap between the positive perception towards teeth whitening and the action that people take. Only 20 percent of adults have had their teeth whitened by in-office treatments² despite the fact that more than three quarters (77 percent) of adults agree that a white smile is best achieved by seeing a dental professional. Findings further support that 57 percent of adults do not believe over-the-counter (OTC) products are as effective as professional teeth whitening and 29 percent do not believe OTC products work at all.
“Teeth need care and attention like any other part of the body and teeth whitening could play an important role in teeth maintenance,” explained Dr. Bill Dorfman, DDS, one of the creators of Zoom whitening and best-selling author. “However, many factors must be considered when whitening a smile, such as teeth sensitivity or a medical condition. no one knows more about oral health than a dental professional who can help advise patients about whitening options, including professional treatments, to ensure safe results for an optimal smile.”
