Beauty Tips

The Benefits of a Brighter Smile

Experts reveal why a stunning smile is your greatest accessory and how to get pearly whites in the comfort of your own home

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What's the first thing a person notices about you? No, it's not your intricate updo, your killer cat eye, or your new outfit. It's your smile. Smiles have such a big impact on first impressions that they've been the subject of numerous studies, and all of them come to the same conclusion: the whiter and brighter the smile, the better.

A healthy, radiant smile is one of the most useful accessories in your arsenal. It can do everything from make your new lipstick color pop to convey to a prospective employer that you're the best candidate for the job. But if yellowing and unsightly stains take over your teeth, you squander one of your best assets.

With inexpensive whitening kits like Plus White 5 Minute Premier Teeth Whitening System, $11.39, getting a bright smile doesn't have to mean costly office appointments or super-sensitive teeth. "If done properly, whitening has no harmful or long-lasting effects to the teeth and gums," says New York City-based cosmetic dentist Dr. Marc Lowenberg of Lowenberg, Lituchy & Kantor. Plus White's kit comes with everything you need to get started, including an innovative needle-nose tube that allows for precise application and a StainGuard rinse that keeps your teeth whiter and brighter throughout the day. Better yet, it only takes five minutes out of your day.

Click ahead to see the benefits of a brighter smile and how you can get your brightest smile yet with zero pain.

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