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It Must Be Stopped!

Excessive Tooth Whitening Is Freaking Us Out.

The VP debate was all about Sarah Palin, but Joe Biden’s smile nearly stole the show. On the night that his grin made its national debut, another debate arose in living rooms across America: What the hell is up with those teeth?

The question infiltrated internet discussion forums and even spawned its own website. What’s up, most likely, is that Biden’s teeth have been professionally whitened, a practice that in recent years has spun out of control. Today, for any public figure—from the biggest Hollywood player to the lowliest reality TV star—teeth whitening is virtually mandatory. What’s more, you’re increasingly likely to see signs of whitening in the smile of your boss, your waiter, your golfing buddy and your financial advisor. Whitened teeth are the new fake eyeglasses: insincere, gauche and tackily striving. In this gallery we examine the various corners of our culture that teeth-whitening has wormed its way into.

BS - White Teeth 350

CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW GALLERY


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October 21, 2008 | 1:24pm
Comments ()
lkfnyy

Jeez-- you picked on a dead guy! Jerry Ohrbach. How could you possibly leave out Regis Philbin? I've actually heard that dentists refer to the color as "Regis White"-- and not in a good way

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2:00 pm, Oct 21, 2008
bmpe-ny

'Some fans fretted that the ultra-white farewell would mar his hard-boiled legacy'... bu not you, Tina, eh?
I'm not sure how the tasteless inclusion of Jerry Orbach added to this story, but, then again, I'm not sure of the point of the story. Did US Weekly or People initially reject this?

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3:05 pm, Oct 21, 2008
Chewie

Oh, c'mon, big deal if Joe Biden has ultra white teeth. Cosmetic procedures are so standard these days. Just keep your kid away from him and the black light on Halloween. :-). As far as Palin goes, keep your kid away from her on any other day.... that woman is scaaaaaaryyyy !

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5:09 pm, Oct 21, 2008
southernyankee

What is the point? If people want to whiten their teeth than that is their business. I wish I could afford some dentures let alone whiten teeth.

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5:49 pm, Oct 21, 2008
Beaner

Someone should talk to McCain - his teeth are old and yellow and look absolutely horrid next to his crisp, white shirts!

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7:15 pm, Oct 21, 2008
terrance53

Twenty years from now we'll probably find out some of these procedures make your teeth disintegrate.

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2:04 am, Oct 22, 2008
bryanlevi

God I am glad this becoming passe before I bothered to do it!

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2:57 am, Oct 22, 2008
keepakeeper43

It really is like breast implants.
Everyone you know and dont, knows you had it done.
So many things around us are fake, no one cares.

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3:09 am, Oct 22, 2008
Mattedj

I actually think teeth whitening was the nail in the coffin for John Kerry

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3:05 pm, Oct 22, 2008
Auntmisbehaving

Good heavens, peeps, can't you leave the guy alone? I think he looks extremely handsome, especially for his age. So what if he's had them whitened? Bet you'd look better if yours were whitened as well.

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3:51 pm, Oct 22, 2008
kynat35

If anyone needs whitened teeth, it's McCain. He needs all the help he can get; some work on the eyebrows wouldn't hurt, maybe even a little (or a lot) of concealer; but agree with earlier poster about those yellow, discolored teeth. In today's world you don't have to emphasize your advancing years,

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4:55 pm, Oct 22, 2008
rijaca

I think Joe's teeth are crowned not whitened. Sometime it's the dentist fault for not advising people of a more natural color. Of course people always want something whiter than what actually looks good...and natural.

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6:15 pm, Oct 22, 2008
mojenn

I say more teeth whitening for John McCain! have you seen those gross little yellow chompers? Ew!

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10:56 pm, Oct 22, 2008
jjfranco

Well consider this if McCain gets elected then yellow teeth and bear guts will become stylish. Hmmmm maybe I'll change my vote ; )

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12:35 am, Oct 23, 2008
annmcl

I'm always mesmerized by Nancy Pelosi's teeth. Totally fake-looking.

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10:01 am, Oct 23, 2008
kynat35

If you read Rolling Stone article of 10/16, one might wish for more than teeth whitening for McCain. Real eye-opener. (and McCain camp did not deny anything there-----yet. Hero???Not so much.

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10:24 am, Oct 23, 2008
Esmeralda1

In many cases, it won't take long for whiteners to remove enamel from teeth, and the user will be stuck with a chic grey color. What's more people fifty and over look like they have false teeth if their own real teeth have been whitened to look younger than their faces.

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1:24 pm, Oct 23, 2008
Tulku2

H.G Wells lived in an economic landscape that this one increasingly resembles. The haves and the have nots. Those with health insurance and those without. Those with dental insurance and those without. The Morlocks and Eloi. Now we see just what those Morlocks were so pissed about. Americans get really angry when it's made so plain this is not a meritocarcy in the least.

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2:48 pm, Oct 23, 2008
mnc2008

i like Biden and party alot. I think it's funny that no one mentions his botox! it is quite evident (if you know what to look for) if one must gossip, that's better than tooth whitening! but he looks good!!

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8:23 pm, Oct 23, 2008
chrisinseattle

I don't think Biden's smile seems overly white - yellow teeth aren't that great to look at - but someone whose teeth are startlingly white, especially next to his overtanned face is Senator Norm Coleman of Minnesota. Yeesh!

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11:48 pm, Oct 23, 2008
Baldirg

"H.G Wells lived in an economic landscape that this one increasingly resembles. The haves and the have nots. Those with health insurance and those without. Those with dental insurance and those without. The Morlocks and Eloi. Now we see just what those Morlocks were so pissed about. Americans get really angry when it's made so plain this is not a meritocarcy in the least."

That about covers it.

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5:28 pm, Oct 24, 2008
bonneyp

I don't think health or dental insurance cover teeth whitening. You'll have to find another soapbox to stand on to preach about the haves and have nots....

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9:54 am, Oct 26, 2008
paulbarry

paulbarry

Our enlightenment. of current events have been reduced to

whitening. What next...color of tongues?

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10:46 am, Oct 26, 2008
jamesoh

Having been a cosmetically oriented dentist for many years, I can tell you that virtually every picture that you show including Biden are people who have veneers or crowns. And you thought it was all about color.

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11:21 am, Oct 26, 2008
webbee

you all are true to your cell-phone roots....gossip,,drama,,who cares.. shut-up and focus on our future,,,,deeds and facts.
beauty still remains only skin deep..try reading and research
to judge your candidates !!!

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12:17 pm, Oct 26, 2008
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It Must Be Stopped!

by The Daily Beast

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