Does the brightness of political candidates' teeth influence their election success?
Yes, according to a study sponsored by Luster Premium White, an oral care whitening brand from Dentovations.
An analysis of photos taken of presidential candidates on the campaign trail showed the correlation between teeth whiteness and electability, the company noted in a press release. By adjusting the color of photos taken over the years to control for changes in ambient lighting and environmental conditions, the study was able to compare the relative whiteness of each candidate's teeth.
Photo evidence going back to 1992 shows the candidate with the whiter teeth winning the election. For example, when Bill Clinton was governor of Arkansas, he had a considerably whiter smile than incumbent President George H.W. Bush. Clinton handedly won the election, a feat he repeated in 1996 against the dimmer-smile-bearing Bob Dole.
In 2000, George W. Bush had only marginally whiter teeth than Vice President Al Gore, a portent of the narrow election win he'd see in November. But four years later, his teeth outshone those of Sen. John Kerry, and Bush once again won the election.
What is in store for 2012? At the time of the study, President Barack Obama's teeth were just barely outshining Mitt Romney's. Unless Romney makes a dental correction, it looks like another win for Obama, according to Dentovations.
