Beauty talk
Know it all
"When people look at each other, the first thing they notice is
the smile," says N.Y.C. cosmetic dentist Jan Linhart. Chances
are, if you've been abusing your teeth-drinking too much
coffee, neglecting to floss, blowing off your dentist-it's going
to show. Maybe your teeth are a little gray, or your gums
bleed when you brush too hard. The good news: The damage
is completely reversible with proper oral hygiene and new
cosmetic techniques. With easier options for whitening and
straightening teeth, you can even improve on the original. "Of
all the ways to change how you look, fixing your smile is
the simplest," says Linhart. "It's an instant improvement
that totally changes your appearance." -Amy Synnott
Grin and Bare It!
Invisible braces, lunchtime laser whitening, veneers-tips and
techniques for getting the perfect smile (and keeping it for a lifetime)
Dental Q&A - What you've always wanted to know about teeth but forgot to ask your dentist
Designed for people who have
I large gaps between their teeth or who use braces or bridges, a proxabrush looks like a tiny pipe
cleaner attached to a plastic handle. "It's like a reusable toothpick," says Linhart. "Some people who
don't even have braces use it because it's quick and easy,
but it's not as effective as floss. It doesn't wrap around the tooth or get below the gum
line. It's also hard to reach the back teeth."
More important, if you have no big gaps, it
won't even fit between your teeth.
Any sugarless gum will have a positive effect on
general dental health, says Linhart. "The mechanical
action of chewing helps loosen plaque
and stimulate saliva production, which helps reduce
decay." But be wary of any gum that claims
to have whitening properties. To lighten teeth, it
would have to contain peroxide, which none
do. "Anything strong enough
to whiten teeth
would be too irritating to the surrounding tissues, " says Linhart. Another problem: "Gum doesn't even
touch the front of the teeth,
just the chewing surface." "Believe it or not, it's true," says Linhart. "Periodontal disease is bacterial, and if you're swapping saliva, you can catch it." But before you swear off kissing, ask yourself this: Do you or your partner have bad breath or puffy red gums? "Bleeding gums are usually the first thing people notice." Fortunately, gingivitis, the fledgling stage of periodontal disease, is completely reversible. "It's caused by not flossing or not going to the dentist," says Linhart. Bottom line: Invest in floss and you won't have to worry as much about bad breath-or spreading gum diseases.
Veneers
For people with intrinsic stains that penetrate the tooth (caused by certain medications, aging or malnutrition), porcelain veneers are the only solution. These thin, ceramic shells, which last up to 15 years, can do anything from hide stains to fill in gaps. But you may not be smiling when you get the bill: $1,200 to $2,000 per tooth.
Lasers
By applying an intense light to
highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide on
the teeth, dentists can bleach teeth up to ten shades in just a couple of hours. Though it's one of the quickest ways to dramatically
lighten your teeth, it can cause extreme
sensitivity, especially if you have gum recession or microcracks in the teeth. Still, the quick, precise procedure actually gives
you more control over what shade you end
up with. Prices range from $500 to $2,000.