Apparently the price of teeth rises faster than a barrel of oil!
I remember being thrilled with a quarter—though that was over 40 years ago. Now it seems the average bounty is up to five dollars. It still doesn’t seem fair, though. You’d think you’d be able to put five bucks under your pillow and get a tooth back when you need one. So much for fairy tales.
I was looking for a survey I heard some time back about the value of a tooth. I didn’t find the exact survey, but found a similar one dated about 25 years ago! I remember that the chemical-materials value of a tooth was about 75 cents…but what dollar value did people put on their own teeth (these are 1995 dollars)?
In a survey of 1,000 men and women, the average person values their smile at $321,000. Forty percent of all respondents said their teeth were worth more than $500,000. Women said that their smiles were worth an average of $353,000, while men only valued their pearly whites at $286,000.
Generation Xers, maybe taking their dental health for granted, placed the smallest value on their smiles, $266,000. Respondents age 65-plus, no doubt eager to keep the healthy teeth they have remaining, placed the highest value on their teeth of any age group at $358,000.
Forty-five percent of women chose a person’s smile over the eyes (30 percent) and a good physique (14 percent). Thirty-five percent of men are initially attracted to the smile, 33 percent to a good physique and 25 percent to the eyes.
Floss, brush, and visit your dentist…because putting money under your pillow won’t work.
One more thing… Sometimes a welcomed smile comes with the need for orthodontic treatment. For several decades orthodontic treatment for both children and adults has been among my specialized services. Orthodontic treatment options include cosmetic (clear or tooth colored) braces, alignment trays and traditional braces.
For a no-cost consultation, I’m happy to help you choose the treatment option that best meets your needs and well provide you with your best smile.
Meanwhile, stay safe and healthy.