PRESERVE THE SEXY v.2: FADE TO WHITE

Dirty Mouth? Well, it's going to take more than Orbit to clean it up. One of the simplest things you can do to look younger, healthier, more together...is BRIGHTEN YOUR GRILL (and I'm not talking about Paul Wall "Disco Balls")! With more options than George Clooney's black book, I know it can be overwhelming as to which treatment to spend your recession money on. Well, don't worry your pretty little head, we've done the legwork for you and there are pros a cons to all of them. We will classify the options into 2 groups: Professional Whitening and Quick Tricks. Without further adieu, here's the skinny:

PROFESSIONAL WHITENING (LEAVE TO THE TRAINED)

Laser - Done in 2 main Steps. In the first step, the dentist applies a gel to protect your gums from being cooked by the laser's heat. In the second step, the dentist applies a whitening gel (~37% peroxide) and passes the laser over your teeth to accelerate the absorption of the solution.

• Pros: One hour for a white smile, and because the dentist is in the room, she can make sure the whitening is even.
• Cons: Heat from the laser may make your teeth more sensitive to hot and cold - permanently. It's the most expensive process.
• Re-up Time: Once a year
• Cost: ~$1200 (It aint trickin' if you got it)

Halogen Lamp - The dentist applies a gel or rubber guard to protect your gums from the fluorescent light. He then paints a hydrogen-peroxide solution (~30%) onto your teeth and positions a halogen lamp over your mouth-kinda like the french fries at fast food joints-and leaves you in the room until the solution has worked its magic.

• Pros: Gentler than the laser and less likely to leave your teeth and gums like tomatoes.
• Cons: Sitting in a chair for 1.5 hrs with a blinding light in your face.
• Re-up Time: Once a year
• Cost: ~$600
  

Trays - The dentist creates a customized mold (i.e. mouthguard) for both the top and bottom teeth. This made-to-order piece better prevents the gel (~6% hydrogen peroxide with fluoride and potassium) from seeping out and coating your tongue. You essentially add the gel to the trays and wear them for about a half-hour a day for 2 wks.

Pros: Lower amount of hydrogen peroxide, so less likely to have sore gums and sensitive teeth. Can whiten at your leisure.

Cons: Longer time to reach maximum whitening because hydrogen peroxide doesn't get as deep into your teeth as it does when it's activated by light. Have to perform twice a year.

Re-up Time: Every 6 Months

Cost: ~$400

QUICK TRICKS (DO IT YOURSELF)

Strips - Coated with a hydrogen-peroxide solution on one side, these stick-on strips work similar to trays. You essentially peel, stick them on your teeth, and wait for about an hour to take them off. The kit comes with a set of individually packaged strips for the Upper and Low teeth to last approximately two weeks.

• Pros: Very inexpensive, quick, and the most gentle on your teeth and gums.
• Cons: Uneven whitening because they don't cover all of your teeth (you may have to settle for yellowish molars) and have to perform twice a year. Because of the low hydrogen-peroxide content, you also won't get your teeth as white as professional options.
• Re-up Time: Every 6 Months
• Cost: ~$30

Toothpaste - Whitening Toothpaste packed with small gains that scrubs stains and residue from the surface of your teeth.

• Pros: Very inexpensive. Great additive to other whitening treatments.
• Cons: Doesn't really whiten because it doesn't contain enough-or in some cases, any-hydrogen peroxide. Have to use daily.
• Re-up Time: Depends on how much you brush (about every two months)
• Cost: ~$5

Mouthwash - See Toothpaste. They do the same thing. According to dentists, your smile will look no different than if you swished with a no frills version.