When we smile, it’s typically a sign to the outside world that we are happy. Smiles come in all shapes and sizes, but many times the teeth will be on show.
Our happiness is affected by how we see our own teeth. A 2024 study found university students who were dissatisfied with their dental appearance were likely to perceive themselves as unhappy.[i] Aesthetic results are regularly demanded of every treatment, from simple composite fillings to complex surgical treatment,[ii] but this is no new phenomenon.
The lengths people have gone to in order to improve the appearance of their smiles has changed over time, but it’s important for clinicians to accept that interpretations of beauty can differ. By analysing trends, clinicians can identify aspects that are important today, and support patients wanting to inch ever closer to their perfect smiles.
Before bright white smiles…
One of the most curious approaches to aesthetic dentistry was a custom called ohaguro. It is perhaps the antithesis of today’s expectations of dental appearance. Ohaguro originated in Japan, and is the practice of blackening one’s teeth.
In the UK, the ‘Love Island smile’ (bright, white, straight teeth) is arguably a dominant beauty standard,[iii] which stands in direct opposition with ohaguro customs. This old Japanese approach is dated back as early as 300 to 538 AD, and came about as pitch-black objects were thought to be incredibly beautiful[iv] – the urge to replicate this in the smile is one we rarely see today!
There are also predominant theories that the practice was actually intentionally unaesthetic, aiming to resemble decay throughout the dentition.[v] At a time when sugar and sweets were only accessible by the wealthy, it may have been a status symbol.v The appearance mattered less than the perception of an individual’s position in wider society.
The material used to coat the dentition is believed to have some oral hygiene benefits. Ferrous acetate (iron filings broken down in vinegar) is thought to be a primary ingredient that helped to prevent tooth decay, with the ability to preserve the integrity of the dental arch over time.v
Aesthetic interpretations of the dentition have swayed away from the ohaguro style, especially in the western world, and now instead towards more glitz and glamour.
Brighter ideas
As mentioned, the ‘Love Island smile’ is an appearance dominating the zeitgeist, alongside the conventional ‘Hollywood smile’.iii Both echo the desire to achieve a look pushed by celebrities in modern culture. How patients set about achieving this appearance can differ greatly. Some may seek drastic changes through a comprehensive smile makeover which incorporates the placement of several veneers and/or implants.
Others may choose to focus on key elements of this look. Tooth whitening has become a popular cosmetic procedure born out of this demand. Both in-office and over-the-counter solutions have thrived. Bleaching teeth in the dental practice must be performed with care as a concentrated hydrogen peroxide solution (the active agent in most, but not all, whitening solutions)[vi] is highly oxidising and can harm local soft tissue – protection for the gingiva and tongue are required.[vii]
Some patients may be more eager to develop results at home, which can be achieved with a whitening gel; the results of both this and in-office treatment can persist for several years.vii
Could natural be the new beautiful?
It’s possible that we’re on the cusp of change, and new beauty standards could be more aligned with the dentition that we are born with. Vanity Fair has described actress Aimee Lou Wood’s teeth as “inspiring”, with her instantly recognisable smile becoming beloved online as it is so diametric to restorations like veneers, which dominate the celebrity scene.[viii] Instead, having her own natural, perfectly imperfect teeth is seen as something rebellious and worthy of celebration.viii
Still, patients might want or need subtle changes and restorations – the fixing of a chipped tooth here, the placement of a composite filling to treat carious lesions there. It is the responsibility of the dental professional to identify with the patient what they want as a result of care; their perception of beauty can be a useful tool for the clinician selecting restorative approaches.
For seamless outcomes, clinicians need restorative solutions that can blend into the dentition with ease. The 3M™ Filtek™ Easy Match Universal Restorative from Solventum, formerly 3M Health Care, uses just three shades to match across the entire VITA classical shade guide. Clinicians identify their composite with ease, choosing between Bright, Natural and Warm shades, whilst relying on the excellent polish retention, wear resistance and strength of the Filtek™ formula. It makes perfecting the smile simple and stress-free.
Where dominant beauty standards go in the future is yet to be seen, but whether patients want to go brighter, or keep a more natural look, clinicians need the solutions at hand that make restorations simple.
To learn more about Solventum, please visit https://www.solventum.com/en-gb/home/oral-care/
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[i] Cademartori, M. G., Karam, S. A., Chisini, L. A., Collares, K. F., Azevedo, M. S., Demarco, F. F., & Correa, M. B. (2024). Self-perceived oral health and happiness-a cross-sectional study in a cohort of university students. Brazilian Journal of Oral Sciences, 23, e249979.
[ii] Sarin, S., Gilbert, D., & Asimakopoulou, K. (2014). Why simple aesthetic dental treatment in general practice does not make all patients happy. British Dental Journal, 216(12), 681-685.
[iii] Loat, S., (2020). Why a white smile should also be a healthy smile. Oral Health Foundation, (Online). Available at: https://www.dentalhealth.org/blog/why-a-white-smile-should-also-be-a-healthy-smile [Accessed March 2025]
[iv] Live Japan, (2019). Ohaguro: The Beauty of Blackened Teeth in Old Japan. (Online) Available at: https://livejapan.com/en/article-a0001026/ [Accessed March 2025]
[v] DIACONU¹, D., VITALARIU, A., COTAIE, G., MELINTE, A., & TATARCIUC, M. (2014). Religious And Spiritual Concepts in Dental Practices in Ancient Orient. International Journal of Medical Dentistry.
[vi] Carey, C. M. (2014). Tooth whitening: what we now know. Journal of Evidence Based Dental Practice, 14, 70-76.
[vii] Epple, M., Meyer, F., & Enax, J. (2019). A critical review of modern concepts for teeth whitening. Dentistry journal, 7(3), 79.
[viii] Manning-Schaffel, V., (2025). White Lotus Star Aimee Lou Wood’s Teeth Aren’t Just Charming – They’re Inspiring. Vanity Fair, (Online) Available at: https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/story/white-lotus-aimee-lou-wood-natural-teeth
