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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.
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Paul Schrodt is a writer living in New York City. He has contributed to New York magazine, Radar, and Esquire.com.
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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
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?
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 !
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.
Beaner
Someone should talk to McCain - his teeth are old and yellow and look absolutely horrid next to his crisp, white shirts!
terrance53
Twenty years from now we'll probably find out some of these procedures make your teeth disintegrate.
bryanlevi
God I am glad this becoming passe before I bothered to do it!
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.
Mattedj
I actually think teeth whitening was the nail in the coffin for John Kerry
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.
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,
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.
mojenn
I say more teeth whitening for John McCain! have you seen those gross little yellow chompers? Ew!
jjfranco
Well consider this if McCain gets elected then yellow teeth and bear guts will become stylish. Hmmmm maybe I'll change my vote ; )
annmcl
I'm always mesmerized by Nancy Pelosi's teeth. Totally fake-looking.
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