"I want them white like the snow on that window," freshman Kate Mattern said.
Mattern was describing her teeth. She had her teeth professionally whitened but still doesn't think they're white enough.
She's not alone. In today's world of self-help perfectionism, the number of people looking to make their pearly-whites sparkle - even beyond what is natural - is growing.
According to a 2001 survey conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, teeth-whitening has become the number one cosmetic procedure of choice for people under 20 years old. The sale of over-the-counter teeth-whitening products has increased 54.7 percent in the past decade. It will bring in an estimated $346.9 million this year, Information Resources Inc. reports.
Teeth whitening is even being touted as an incentive to quit smoking: In November, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) recommended that former smokers celebrate nixing nicotine by visiting an AACD dentist for a professional teeth whitening treatment.
The organization claims in a survey last year that yellow or discolored teeth was rated the most unattractive thing about a smile.
As more and more people employ teeth whitening procedures, researchers are evaluating the consequences.
According to Associate Clinical Professor David Bardwell at Tufts' School of Dental Medicine, the effect of the hydrogen peroxide chemicals in these products can make teeth feel weaker and more sensitive to pain.
"There can be tooth damage and soft-tissue changes when excessive bleaching occurs," Bardwell said.
Teeth-whitening was never intended to be a daily activity - but for some individuals, this is what it has become. Just as people can become addicted to tanning, dieting or exercising, once they start on teeth-whitening regimens, some can't stop.
Marc Liechtung, a dentist from New York, recently told the New York Times that patients of his would "come back like drug addicts pleading, 'Doc, sell me more just this once.'"
The Times also reported there have been cases of people wanting their teeth lightened to such an extreme point that dental supply companies do not have caps and fillings to match.
According to Bardwell, teeth have been over-whitened when they take on chalky appearance, which is caused by dehydration.
In his research on teeth whitening, Baldwell has found that "dentist-prescribed tray bleaching" is the most effective way to a white smile.
"Every [type of whitening] lightens, but at different rates," Baldwell said. "Some have to wait longer to achieve the best result. Slower, lower-dose treatment over a longer period is more effective at retaining a lighter shade then high-dose, one-visit treatments."
This method is more effective than those involving lasers or lights, which "have little of no effect on the effectiveness of speed of the hydrogen peroxide," Baldwell said.
"Only two things drive or accelerate the breakdown of peroxide [and] the oxidation reaction: They are heat and pH," he added.
While heat can accelerate the reaction of the peroxide, it can also "cause greater sensitivity than no heat and can potentially damage the nerve of the tooth," Bardwell said. "The best approach is seeking professional consultation for long-term whitening."
But professionally-administered treatments - which are not covered by dental insurance - can cost hundreds and even thousands of dollars, an amount that's impractical for the typical college student's budget.
Many students - including freshman Kelly Moran - have turned to cheaper alternatives including Crest Whitestrips, the most popular whitening product on the market. Advertisements for the product show people whitening their teeth while driving to work, doing their makeup, working or walking the dog - taking no extra time out of their presumably hectic and busy lives.
"I drink a lot of coffee and tea, and I wanted to counteract the effects," said Moran of her reasons for whitening her teeth. She chose Crest Whitestrips over other methods because "they looked the easiest." Moran uses the strips 15 minutes each day.
But for some students, remembering to wear the Whitestrips daily can be a problem: "I only used them for one day and then I forgot," sophomore Ashley Van Wormer said.
Freshman Hannah Robinson tried using Crest Whitestrips, but stopped immediately.
"The Whitestrips and the paint taste nasty," Robinson said. "They are the grossest thing ever, and [they're] not worth it."
But other students are willing to sacrifice comfort for beauty. When asked if the potential negative side effects of overusing the strips worried her, Moran didn't seem concerned. She had a prediction of her own.
"In a couple of decades, the technology will be so good that desensitization won't be a problem," Moran said. "Everyone will have all fake teeth."
According to Baldwell's research, however, Moran has little to worry about. He's found that it is safe to use Crest Whitestrips twice a day for a six-month period - as long as the six months are followed by a substantial break.
