A wedding, a new baby, a graduation. These are all milestones in life that are forever preserved in photos and videos for generations. Photographers like Mark Lenoce understand how important it is to capture these moments perfectly, from the location, to the lighting, and the emotion of the event.
But little details can make those moments all the more better: poses, clothing choice, flowers, and even the look of your smile. For that last option, there’s a unique solution for slightly yellowed or stained smiles: teeth whitening. Dr. Lockwood also understands how important these little details are, and the impact they can have on a single moment or first impression.
The Power of First Impressions
Back in 2007, Proctor & Gamble completed an eye-opening study about the impact of white teeth on first impressions. They invited participants to simulated job interviews and first dates, and rated their impressions of their partners. A majority of the evaluators in the study indicated they would hire or continue to meet the people they met, having been influenced by the appearance of their smile. Researchers concluded that having whiter teeth increased chances of success at first impressions in various social situations. Participants in the study agreed that a person’s smile indicated a certain level of professional (68%) and financial success (64%), as well as trustworthiness (52%).
Sunny Jain, the Brand Manager for Crest Whitestrips at the time, explained that “White teeth clearly extend far beyond just our smiles…We’ve provided whiter smiles to more than 30 million people and are thrilled the results of this study affirm their positive affect on social and professional situations.”
This brings good news for folks outside of the study: the implication that a healthy, attractive smile can leave better impressions on strangers, and be viewed as more “outgoing” for that moment in time. Just another reason to consider teeth whitening before a milestone photoshoot. You not only want to look your best, but ensure that your smile is shining bright as well.
Advantages of Teeth Whitening
You may be asking yourself, why should I even bother with teeth whitening? Consider this: everyone loves a hearty cup of coffee or a glass of wine with dinner, but there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. As a result of these indulgences, you may start to see slight yellowing on your teeth, or developing dark spot stains. Teeth whitening has the benefits of fighting against these stains for a brighter, whiter smile, but also contains some benefits you may not be aware of.
Removes Yellowing: Yellowing can occur as a result of smoking, too much fluoride, soda and coffee, or from aging. Teeth whitening can bleach out these effects of yellowing.
Increases Confidence: Just like the Proctor & Gamble study indicated, a whiter smile gives off the perception that you are a more confident person. White teeth can also help you feel more self-assured about your smile, and that confidence will reflect in your photos.
Types of Teeth Whitening
The next question that may come to mind is this: is the teeth whitening process arduous? Does it require multiple appointments? The answer can be 50/50, a yes or a no. There are essentially two types of teeth whitening that patients can try out: in-office and at-home.
In-Office Whitening: This process takes place in the office of Dr. Stephen Lockwood, and first entails applying a whitening solution to your teeth. After this, a bleaching lamp is used to activate the whitening solution. Once completed, your teeth will be notably whiter. To achieve your optimal shade of white may require a second visit, but altogether takes very few appointments to complete.
Convenient At-Home Whitening: With at-home whitening, you won’t have to sit in the dentist’s chair for minutes, or carve out time for a dental appointment in your busy schedule. Instead, all you would have to do is coat a dental tray with the whitening solution and place it over your teeth for a short period of time. Afterwards, you simply remove the device, wash it, and save it for the next day. You will repeat the process for as many days as Dr. Lockwood instructs, to achieve the shade of white you desire.
Brighter Smiles and Brighter Photos
Imagine your favorite portrait of a loved one. Were they smiling wide? Were they placed on a beautiful landscape? A person’s happiness can bring the joy to a photo, but a there’s something truly special about having a white smile. Whether you’re a groom or bride-to-be, a new graduate, or a family of four, we want to help you make the best of your photoshoot. La Jolla is not only home to talented photographers like Mark Lenoce, but is also home to Dr. Stephen Lockwood, a premiere teeth whitening provider.