I’m trying to get perspective on this particular beauty standard and how I want to approach it. Do people whiten their teeth where you live? Is it seen as expected to do so? Do you live in a city?

I have healthy teeth that have nevertheless seen a lot of tea and coffee. I have generally thought of this as similar to wrinkles, i.e. a natural thing bodies do that I don’t want to pay money to fix since it isn’t broken. I still think this. But I have been feeling lately like there might be more actual social stigma to my teeth being discolored. I am wondering if this is at all real? Has whitening teeth become an expected thing for all adults to do now? I thought I’d ask how other people feel and think about this and what the general norm is in your social circle.

Edit: thanks for the responses everybody.

    • Albbi@lemmy.ca
      91·
      3 months ago

      I brush and floss once a day and have had nothing but perfect checkups at the dentist.

        • GBU_28@lemm.eeEnglish
          5·
          3 months ago

          Flossing is by far the most effective breath freshener. That said, I’m a brush twice a day, floss 3 times a week guy

            • Halosheep@lemm.ee
              2·
              3 months ago

              I think flossing twice is too much, unless you consume a lot of sugary drinks I guess. I typically do it once before bed and find my teeth feel fine throughout the day

              Edit: not a dentist just lazy

    • Icalasari@fedia.io
      1·
      3 months ago

      If they brush before bed and produce a lot of saliva, they could easily get away with it. Heavy salivation while sleeping keeps bacteria from sticking well to teeth and adds a layer of protection from plaque forming