"It's been proven that trays work better than strips, because they allow gels to get into nooks. Strips are like a thick tape, and won't necessarily get into all the little holes," says Timothy Chase, DMD, cosmetic dentist at SmilesNY in New York City. Try Rembrandt 2-Hour Whitening Kit, $19.99, which has tray applicators.
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Week 4: Monday
Schedule a cleaning and a treatment
Chase recommends having your teeth cleaned a month before getting an in-office whitening treatment. This way, your teeth will be prepped for the whitening treatment and it'll be more effective.
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Week 4: Tuesday
Stop a cavity in its tracks
If you're prone to cavities, a dental sealant can help. They're applied to the deep grooves where acid-forming bacteria prefer to lodge in and initiate decay, says Torrado. "Once these grooves are sealed, bacteria can't penetrate and form cavities."
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Week 4: Wednesday
Skip the drilling and get iconic
ICON is a revolutionary way to treat cavities. Instead of drilling and filling, a thin application of the resin-like material can reinforce demineralized enamel, says Torrado. "It [also] helps blend uneven colored enamel like white decalcification spots." Plus, no more painful shots.
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Week 4: Thursday
Fight periodontal disease without pills
A major advancement in treating oral disease is using crystallized antibiotics. One syringe of the antibiotic is placed directly into the gum pockets, which gives a controlled release of doxycycline for 21 days. "This technology allows the antibiotic to target specific areas of infection without subjecting the body to systemic antibiotics," says Michael L. Sinkin, DDS, 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.
