Health

One Month to a Brighter, Healthier Smile

See the surprising culprits that are sabotaging your teeth, and find out how to reverse the damage and brighten your smile in just 30 days

by Sharon J. Yi

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I recently decided that it's time for me to face the cold hard truth: I do not look like Sofia Vergara, nor will I ever look like Sofia Vergara.

I will never have her Jessica Rabbit-like figure or her sultry eyes, no matter how many hours I log at the gym or in front of my bathroom mirror with the best eyeliner.

But just for kicks, I decided to figure out what it would take to attempt to look like her. Let's just say I subjected my body to the torture device that is the P90X system. Even if I stuck to the regimen religiously, it would take at least three months to get to the ideal weight, then another year for it to stabilize, according to a study published in "The New England Journal of Medicine."

Hair grows two inches per month, so I would reach Sofia's luscious length in a couple years -- if I skipped all haircuts. And even if I got rhinoplasty or a boob job, the swelling would take a year to fully dissipate.

Skip ahead to see how to get a healthier, brighter smile in 30 days now.

The bright spot? There is one Sofia asset I can attempt to copy quickly and without dropping a few months' pay: her pearly whites. Dentists across the country say a mere month is plenty of time to transform your smile -- if you know the right tips.

I'm not talking about the stuff you've heard a million times before -- brush twice a day, floss, and head to the dentist twice a year. I talked to dentists and periodontists to find out all the other things you should be doing for your teeth, and how to avoid the biggest dental health saboteurs.

So if you, too, want to look like Sofia Vergara (or insert your celeb girl crush here), here's a little hint: Focus on copying her smile. Here's how.

SEE NEXT PAGE: Week 1: Monday

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Older comments

say cheeeeeese

by LittleBunny Thursday, January 10, 2013 at 09:47AM Report as inappropriate

But I love bananas! It's the quickest on the go breakfast! Sad to hear they're not good for the teeth

by EricaC123 Wednesday, December 26, 2012 at 07:13AM Report as inappropriate

I swish peroxide in my mouth when I first get in the shower for about thirty seconds. It helps freshen my breathe, whiten my teeth, and kill bacteria!

by morgan_ledford Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at 01:25PM Report as inappropriate

I like the brush with peroxide idea...and the tongue scraper, too.

by alictasia Thursday, June 21, 2012 at 06:11PM Report as inappropriate

Interesting article full of all kinds of new dental innovations.

by RoleModel Friday, May 11, 2012 at 09:06PM Report as inappropriate

great

by Nicole2814 Thursday, May 10, 2012 at 06:16PM Report as inappropriate

I need to stay away from all the tea and coffee I drink.

by beautybody Thursday, March 29, 2012 at 11:48AM Report as inappropriate

I thought the idea was to whiten the teeth without actually having to use whitening substances... I can go to the dentist and have them perfectly white in a couple of hours, not a month.

by hananoire Thursday, March 22, 2012 at 08:37AM Report as inappropriate

brush with peroxide, never heard of that, hmmm

by talecon Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 03:24PM Report as inappropriate

I do most of them!!! :D

by yestfl Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 08:05PM Report as inappropriate