I have never been fond of cookie cutter teeth. Perfectly shaped, perfectly straight, gleaming white teeth may look pretty, but the lack of individuality in a smile gets a little, well, boring and a bit fake. I much prefer the unique smiles of Madonna, Lauren Hutton, and Kristen Dunst to those perfectly manufactured grins. However, whiter, brighter teeth – as long as they don’t glow in the dark- can make you look younger and prettier. Keep your individuality and your beautiful smile with these smile fixes.
Keep your teeth happy and healthy. Regular cleanings, dental check-ups, brushing, and flossing all lead to good dental health. Good dental health leads to happy, healthy looking teeth. You can get your smile professionally bleached by a dentist, but you’re likely to end up with super-white chompers that gleam in the sunlight.
Watch what you drink. Red wine, coffee, and tea are big no-no’s if you want a white smile. Try to avoid food and drinks that stain your teeth. If you do give in to such guilty pleasures (I’m guilty!), rinse with water immediately after consumption and brush your teeth as soon as possible.
Use a whitening toothpaste. There are a plethora of whitening toothpastes on the market these days. All the major brands carry a whitening version, so choose your favorite and brush away. Keep in mind that whitening products can cause sensitivity to hot, cold, and sweets.
Crest Whitestrips. A few of my friends have had lots of luck with Whitestrips, but I have trouble getting them to stay stuck to my teeth. Plus, I usually end up getting ravenous about a minute after I apply them. But if you want whiter teeth, they definitely do the trick.
Closys mouthwash. Closys is pretty cool stuff, and you can order it at amazon.com. It kills germs without the burn, and it pH balances your mouth so that your toothpaste works better.
Luster NOW! Instant Whitening Toothpaste. If you’re in a hurry for whiter teeth, you may want to start here. It contains bluish particles that adhere to your teeth when you brush. The blue neutralizes a yellowy color to the teeth, making them look whiter. The toothpaste lasts about five hours, while other ingredients in the paste work more slowly over time for a whiter, brighter smile.
Baking soda and peroxide. You can sprinkle a little baking soda onto your regular toothpaste to help brush the stains away. Or mix the baking soda with a little hydrogen peroxide (check with your dentist first). The combination will wash away stains fast. Peroxide, however, can make your teeth extra sensitive, so consult with your dentist before giving it a try.
The right color lipstick. Clinique makes a line of lipstick shades specifically formulated to make your teeth look whiter. The secret is a bit of bluishness to the lipstick color. Blue undertones will help your yellow teeth look whiter.
Smile! Of course, the best way to enhance your smile is to use it! A great big, happy, confident smile looks so good, you’ll forget you were ever dissatisfied in the first place.
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