Majority of Americans Would Opt to Whiten Their Teeth to Enhance Their Smile
Get It Right! Educational Campaign to Highlight Importance of Involving a Dental Professional in Teeth Whitening for a Whiter Smile --
CULVER CITY, Calif., Sept. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- 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."
To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, go to:
http://www.multivu.com/mnr/52322-philips-get-it-right-educational-campaign-teeth-whitening
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 treatments (2) 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. Finding 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."
There are numerous causes of discolored teeth, including age, genetic
factors, food and beverage consumption, tobacco use, poor dental
hygiene, disease, medication use and tooth trauma.(3) Given all of the
causes of discolored teeth, it is no surprise that teeth whitening has
evolved into one of the most popular aesthetic dental treatments. And
consumers have many whitening options available to choose from,
including toothpastes, whitening strips and professional treatments,
that are administered by a dental professional, including a dentist,
hygienist or dental assistant, such as light-activated whitening
conducted in the dental office.
With the Get It Right! campaign, The American Dental Hygienist
Association (ADHA) emphasizes the importance of speaking with a dental
professional to get advice on the best whitening option. "Questions
about whitening come up during dental hygiene appointments every day and
too often, patients may not be informed about all of their options,"
said ADHA president, Pamela Quinones, RDH, BS. "Consulting a dental
professional from the beginning before a patient starts any whitening
treatment and having them remain involved throughout the whitening
process can ensure that the patient is receiving the treatment that is
right for his or her situation."
For more information about Get It Right! including a tool to find a
dental professional near you, visit
www.getitright.info . The website also contains a report by Dr.
Demarais, "The Power of a Smile," that examines the evolution and power
of a smile and provides tips on how people can maximize their smile
power. Visitors to the site will also find links to the campaign
Facebook and YouTube pages.
About the Survey
Harris Interactive conducted a telephone survey within the United States
for the Get It Right! educational campaign, commissioned by Philips,
between August 5-7, 2011 among a nationwide cross section of 1,006
adults aged 18 and older to identify perceptions of smiles and teeth
whitening. Figures for age, sex, race, region and education were
weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual
proportions in the population.
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