All We Want For Christmas Is Nice White Teeth

Media Release

Date: 16th December 2008

Lumino The Dentists Smile Survey Shows That All We Want For Christmas Is Nice White Teeth

More than half of us are unhappy with our smile, according to survey figures released by Lumino The Dentists, New Zealand’s only national dental healthcare group with over 100 dentists and 250 support staff.

The Lumino The Dentists Smile Survey which took place in the network’s 40 dental practices throughout the country, revealed that a substantial 58% of New Zealanders hanker after whiter, brighter teeth, and more than 43% of us wanting to improve our smile with cosmetic treatments.

On top of this, results showed that people with beautiful smiles are regarded by their peers as being more confident, physically attractive and more likely to forge a successful career than those with bad teeth.

Andrea Shepperson lead dentist at Lumino City Dental at Quay Park, Auckland, points out that having discoloured or crooked teeth can have a dramatic impact on a person’s self esteem and how they are perceived by others:

‘It is one of the first things that you notice when you meet someone new. Teeth that are damaged, misshapen or yellow can really overshadow the rest of a person’s appearance,’ explains Andrea. ‘An unhealthy looking smile can stop people living life to the full. It is likely that they will feel insecure and will smile and laugh less, in a bid to hide their teeth.’

‘We see a huge difference in patients that have had a cosmetic treatment, such as whitening or those that have had a long-standing dental health problem fixed,’ adds Andrea. ‘The immediate lift in their self-confidence is quite amazing to see.’

Almost 70% of survey respondents hadn’t done anything to fix any dental problems as they thought treatment would be too expensive. A fear of pain and discomfort put another 21% off taking action.

‘If there is something about your smile that is bothering you, whether your teeth are chipped or not as white or straight as you would like, go and see your dentist,’ advises Andrea. ‘Ever improving technology means that most treatments are virtually pain free. When it comes to cost, many dental practices now offer a wide variety of payment options, making paying for your smile easy and stress free. It is also worth remembering that not investing in keeping your teeth white and healthy can end up costing you much more in the long run.’

For more information on dental health and treatments visit www.lumino.co.nz

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