television teeth

Lots of pearly white teeth on display. While getting a coffee the TV is showing (obviously old) footage of Anna Nicole Stiff (sorry, Smith) complete with teeth of a brightness and whiteness nature would not on it's own apply to teeth. Real snow-blind whiteness. Shining, as they were, from between fat puckered uber-red lips she looked in equal measure creepy and ridiculous.

This morning I watched the Channel 7 morning show. In one of those self-adverts often placed in news shows - presenters lined up, head and shoulder shots, turning slowly to camera and smiling - I noticed five sets of very white teeth. Too white. Not ANS white, but a shade unnatural.

There must be an arms race in teeth whitening. If one has it done then the others must follow or suffer the indignity of having comparatively tarnished and horrible teeth. Or natural, depending on your point of view. Where wil it lead? The outcome is likely to be blinging white teeth against over tanned (too orange) skin that is free from both wrinkle and expression (too botox.) Maybe we can improve upon nature and I'm a bioloical luddite. I have my own petty vanities, but I'm a long way off of looking manmade.

The English are portrayed as having manky teeth. That is, again comparatively, fair. Clean and healthy teeth good; dulux colour chart mega-white not so important. That'll change. I'm becoming more aware of the colour of my teeth. My filling-light-all-my-own-don't-ache teeth. They are not as white as the average Aussie mouthful but I don't think I'll whiten them. Just living in Sydney cleans them. A stain I have had for years on my left incisor is lightening and getting smaller. I am attributing this to the flouride added to Sydney water. That's why the Aussies - those from New South Wales at least - have whiter teeth than the Brits; mass drugging of the population through the water supply.