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There's something about Mel Gibson's Smile.
I've been watching Mel Gibson closely for a long time now. I'm a big fan of his work. But lately my interest in Mr. Gibson has become concern...
You see, I'm worried about Mel's teeth. As a dentist, it's only natural that I'd focus on that part of his anatomy -- well, maybe not natural, but understandable!
Studies have shown that a beautiful smile is a key element in attraction, and an important part of our overall image and sense of self confidence. Most of us want our smiles to look great, and our teeth to look as white as the background on this screen! You don't need me to tell you that, just look at the number of ads in the media for teeth whitening products.
Personally, I'm all for it. Not just because of my profession, either. I've always been attracted to a winning smile. With a great smile, even an average-looking person can light up a room.
So why wouldn't Mr. Gibson want a "Hollywood smile"?
For one thing, a winning smile is more than just a question of whether your teeth are perfectly aligned and impossibly white. There are human elements like warmth, cheerfulness, charm, and charisma. And of course, overall good looks. Mel Gibson is one of the most charming, charismatic, and good-looking men in Hollywood. (Most of us would adore him if he had no teeth at all!) There's a cultural element, too. This actor has spent a good portion of his life in Australia. Americans are known the world over as being obsessed with their teeth, but "Hollywood Smiles" are not so highly prized in every country.
So, maybe this would explain why such a famous and hugely successful actor might not be concerned about his "problem".
Exactly what is this "problem?" Well, first off, we all know how much Mel Gibson loves cigars. After so many years of smoking his beloved stogies, Mel's teeth have become stained and yellow. (He quit in 1999, but the stains remain.)
And it's obvious to any dentist that Mel grinds his teeth! He's probably been grinding for years. Check out any recent picture of Mel's smile, and you'll see that his teeth have gotten shorter, and his top teeth look "flat" across the edges, as if they'd been filed down. That's what grinding will do! An aggressive grinder can do a lot of damage in a short space of time. I've seen aggressive grinders in their twenties with teeth more typical of someone in their forties or fifties! Their smiles are no longer an asset, and as time goes on, things will only get worse. It can even lead to a painful condition known as TMJ syndrome*
If you want to preserve the health and beauty of your smile, take your dentist's advise when they tell you you're grinding your teeth! A night guard is an easy way to prevent further damage.
Almost everyone clenches (bears down on or "grits" their teeth) and grinds (forcefully rubs their teeth against each other) as a means of dealing with stress. We do it day, night, or both. We do it consciously or unconsciously (usually unconsciously). Most of us don't think we grind, and many will argue against anyone who tells us we do! Are you one of those people?
So, what's to be learned from Mel Gibson's example?
If you're inspired by Mel quitting his 15 year smoking habit, maybe you can quit too! Even if you're not ready to quit, or to give up the foods that stain your teeth, consider whitening. Teeth whitening has become affordable for just about everyone, is easy to do, and it works in most cases. For a minimal cost and time commitment, you can get results that make you look like a million bucks!
If we take good care of them, our teeth don't have to show those tell-tale signs of aging that Mel Gibson's teeth are showing. I know that with all of that success, charm, and charisma, he doesn't have to worry about a perfect smile........
Hollywood promoters know what sells. When it comes to basic beauty and mutual attraction, they know that youthful, healthy-looking smiles are what get our attention. If your teeth are looking a little dingy lately, or you've discovered you've got a habit of grinding them, you can do something about it! Invest in a professional whitening process, or ask your dentist about a good product you can use at home ( I trust the big names like Crest, Oral-B, etc.) If you grind, get a night guard.
Grinding while you're awake? Learn to kick the habit! Your dentist can help you with that, too.
And let's get that fan mail rolling in. Maybe we can get Mel Gibson to start thinking about his smile!!
Source : bellaonline
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