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Article by, Dr. Arthur T. Forrest

 What are “Christmas Teeth”?

When you first see the words “Christmas Teeth”, do you immediately start thinking about some strange dental affliction that I might have an exclusive expose to tell you? No, that's just not the case! At this time of the year I always remember and fondly think about the first time I heard the term “Christmas Teeth”. It was first told to me from one of my elderly gentlemen patients during the first few years of my private dental practice. This patient was getting a new full denture and he wanted me to make the teeth “white”. Now mind you, I was recently just out of USC dental school (Yes I told you it was a “few” years ago!). At the time I was still indoctrinated  with the “old” teachings; that a person's age should be reflective in the “color” of their teeth. Since this patient was well up into his seventies I took the shade guide display and tried to convince him into selecting “more subdued” or darker age related shading. He told me in a very emphatic voice that “he would not have any part of those dark, old looking teeth on the shade guides”. That's when he first introduced me to the term “Christmas Teeth”. He said that these new teeth meant more to him than any gift he could possibly receive. Just like Christmas itself, he wanted his teeth to be “white and sparkling” like a beautiful “white” Christmas. Christmas is a time for good will and good cheer, especially a time for smiling. “A smile means so much, so why didn't I want to give him a beautiful smile at Christmas?”  I was really taken back by his age and wise logic. Everyone wants to look their very best at this time of the year. Needless to say I relented and ordered him the most beautiful white set of teeth, along with the most beautiful arrangement of artificial teeth available anywhere. I was overwhelmed at his look of joy and pride when he first tried on his new set and looked into the mirror. It was then I silently learned that he was not looking at a “seventy something old man”, but a much younger reflection of his youth! He just beamed! To tell the truth, he DID look younger and healthier! Now these teeth were not “headlights” (the bleaching of teeth phenomenon had not yet arrived for a few years) but they were much whiter than the darker shades “suggested by conventional” teachings. He looked at me and said , “Now these are “Christmas Teeth”! From that day forward I realized the hidden power inherent in a beautiful smile comprised of beautiful white teeth! I don't call them “Christmas Teeth” any longer. I now call them the “Celebrity Smile”. Decades have past by but I still see the “old ways thinking” still being forced on unwilling patients. Quite often I will have new patients come into the practice to get rid of the black metal fillings and dark restorative “old type” dentistry. Many dentists both old and young especially from foreign countries still want you to “look your age.” A dead giveaway are the crowns that have the darker margins (the area next to the gumline) that either have “dead bland chicklets look” or, the exposed metal band at the bottom of the crowns that can be seen when one opens their mouth to speak or laugh. Ugh! Did you know that neither or these two smile killers really have to be visible with the new materials and techniques available today in dentistry?  With some corrective veneers, nearly anyone can have a beautiful white stunning “Celebrity Smile” There are only a very few limited things that you get for yourself that can last a lifetime! A “Christmas Teeth” (Smile) is one of them. As in closing, as always, You deserve Nothing Less than the very Best!

Seasons Greeting, In the Name of Better Dentistry

Dr. Arthur T. Forrest D.D.S.

Cosmetic and Restorative Dentist

Fellow in the Pierre Fauchard International Honors Academy