When watching a movie or flicking through a popular magazine, many people find themselves wondering, “How do celebrities get their teeth so white?” In reality, that famous celebrity smile is usually a combination of cosmetic dentistry techniques, including:
- Teeth whitening
- Porcelain veneers
- Expert dental care
The fact that a dazzling white smile isn’t something that you’re born with is good news for the rest of us. Using the same cosmetic dentistry techniques, you can have a celebrity smile, too.
Laser Teeth Whitening Treatment
Celebrities have relied on teeth whitening treatments for decades, often to prepare for a big red-carpet appearance or to spruce up their smile for a movie role. But here’s an industry secret you might not know: Your typical A-list celeb doesn’t rely solely on peroxide toothpastes and whitening strips from the pharmacy. They go in for specialized laser whitening treatments like the Zoom! whitening system.
Laser teeth whitening is the simplest, quickest, and most effective way to brighten your smile. In fact, professional whitening can make your teeth up to 12 shades lighter in a single hour.
In contrast to over-the-counter whitening strips and whitening toothpaste that can be abrasive on your teeth and gums, professional teeth whitening is a highly effective and controlled way to whiten teeth.
The Teeth Whitening Process
The teeth whitening process can vary depending on the type of treatment you undergo. Consider the Zoom! laser whitening treatment as an example.
In a one-hour visit to the dental office, your cosmetic dentist will cover your lips and gums to protect them before applying a special hydrogen peroxide gel and blue LED light to break apart surface stains for beautiful, white teeth.
After the initial teeth whitening session, you will be given whitening trays to use at home to maintain your brighter, whiter smile. Zoom! teeth whitening typically lasts for an entire year and can be repeated annually.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are the original Hollywood teeth-whitening phenomenon. Back in the 1930s, a young dentist named Charles Pincus designed custom veneers for stars like Judy Garland, Shirley Temple, Mae West, Fanny Brice, and Montgomery Clift. Pincus’s innovation served an important need in Hollywood at the time: the ability for larger-than-life stars and starlets to maintain a perfect smile that would dazzle the public when presented on a giant cinema screen.
Even today, celebs like George Clooney, Miley Cyrus, and Tom Cruise are known for having porcelain veneers. This treatment can give you the same magazine-cover-worthy smile.
If regular whitening treatments aren’t your cup of tea or you have other cosmetic issues, the best route to a celebrity smile might be porcelain veneers. Consider porcelain veneers for your smile makeover if you have:
- Very dark stains
- Chips in your teeth
- Short teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Slightly crooked teeth
How Porcelain Veneers Are Placed
The process to get porcelain veneers is very straightforward and can often be completed in a couple of weeks or less.
- First, the dentist will remove a tiny layer of enamel from the front surface of the teeth to make space for the veneers.
- Then, he or she will take an impression of the teeth, which will be sent to the dental laboratory for the creation of your custom veneers.
- Once the veneers are ready, they will be permanently cemented onto the front surface of your teeth and your celebrity smile will be ready to go.
When inquiring about veneers, make sure that the cosmetic dentist uses porcelain—and not composite resin. Porcelain veneers cost a bit more, but they’re the celebrity choice. They last longer than composite resin, they’re more durable, and they look more natural since the porcelain material closely resembles natural tooth enamel. Porcelain even reflects light like natural teeth.
Most importantly, porcelain is virtually stain-proof. This is another essential quality if you want to maintain sparkling white teeth like George Clooney.
Expert Aesthetic Dentistry
It should come as no surprise that celebrity icons visit celebrity dentists. And they visit them often. After all, looks are critical in the entertainment industry.
But even if you don’t have access to “the dentist of the stars,” you can still maintain a Hollywood-caliber smile. The key is to be discerning about which dentist you choose and then commit to a lifetime of diligent dental care.
How to Get Oscar-Worthy Dental Care
Ultimately, the best way to enjoy a red-carpet smile is to entrust your pearly whites to a cosmetic dentist who belongs to a nationally recognized professional organization. According to a top-rated dentist in Bakersfield Dimitri Salin, patients should look for dentists accredited by trustworthy organizations such as the American Dental Association or American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
In addition, make sure to look closely at third-party reviews and testimonials. Ask the dentist if they offer in-office teeth whitening and veneers—and which approach they would recommend. Also ask to see before-and-after photos of the dentist’s actual patients.
If you really want to go the extra mile, find a cosmetic dentist near you who works with celebrities. With just a few treatments, you might be ready for the cover of Vogue or GQ.
Caring for Your Celebrity Smile
Whether you opt for teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, or any other cosmetic dentistry procedure, taking care of your smile will help to keep it white and bright. That means following all of your dentist’s aftercare instructions as well as:
- Brushing your teeth effectively at least twice a day—if you’re not 100% confident in your brushing technique, consider using an electric toothbrush to remove plaque and keep your teeth in excellent shape.
- Flossing effectively at least once a day
- Using an alcohol-free antiseptic mouthwash every day.
- Visiting your dentist every six months for a professional teeth cleaning.
Not only will these habits help you to keep your teeth white, but they’ll also help you to prevent gum disease and tooth decay. And that’s definitely something worth smiling about.
