"Most people snack on carbohydrate-rich foods, like chips, which are especially bad for our teeth," says Pankaj J. Singh, DDS, founder and CEO of Arch Dental Associates in New York City. "All carbohydrates eventually break down into simple sugars, which are converted by the bacteria in your mouth into plaque -- the primary trigger of gum disease and cavities," he says. The biggest plaque culprit on Singh's list? Bananas. Their "chewy, adhesive texture" makes it easier for them to get caught between teeth or under the gum line, where bacteria can accumulate.
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Week 1: Tuesday
Swap those bananas for strawberries
Who has time to brush their teeth after every meal? Irwin Smigel, DDS, creator of SuperSmile, recommends eating strawberries for dessert. They have a high percentage of folic acid, which Smigel says naturally exfoliates and cleans your teeth.
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Week 1: Wednesday
Order the pinot noir -- not the pinot grigio
We all know the big culprits when it comes to staining: coffee, tea, soda, and red wine. But did you know it's not their dark colors that cause staining, but their high level of acidity? In fact, Smigel says white wine is generally much more acidic than red and can erode the enamel on your teeth, leaving them vulnerable to staining.
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Week 1: Thursday
Ease up on the condiments
Mustard, ketchup, soy sauce -- these condiments all have high levels of acid and can leave your teeth susceptible to stains. This doesn't mean you need to order your burger sans the special sauce, but remember to rinse your mouth with water after eating.
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Week 1: Friday
Suck on a lemon
Just as they naturally highlight hair, lemons can lighten and brighten teeth. Just make sure to not overdo it -- lemons have high acidity, which can be damaging, says Steven E. Roth, DMD, of SmilesNY in New York City.
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.
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.
