We’ve often stressed the importance of showing off your pearly whites, and that smiles are definitely your best accessory. So, it’s always nice to nab tips from the best of the best when it comes to your teeth, right?

I recently had the chance to grab insights from Dr. Catrise Austin, cosmetic dentist and author of 5 Steps to the Hollywood A-List Smile: How The Stars Get That Perfect Smile and How You Can Too, about the latest and greatest techniques for creating a glamorous grin. And even though she’s worked with celebs like X-Factor judge Paula Abdul, Dancing with the Stars pro Karina Smirnoff, and Grammy-award winners Common and Missy Elliot, Dr. Austin is committed to educating everyone about oral health and the benefits of great dentistry–both to look and feel your best! Here are a few tips from a true dental queen:

For getting a super-white, celeb-esque smile… “I highly recommend professional in-office teeth whitening for optimum results,” Dr. Austin says. “One of the most popular products that your dentist may use is Zoom! Teeth Whitening. With Zoom! Your dentist will use a high-dose concentration of hydrogen peroxide along with an ultraviolet lamp, which can lighten the teeth surrounding the white spots in just one hour to make the entire tooth uniformly white. The white spots will blend in with the rest of the tooth. The average cost for this procedure costs $400-$700 and is not covered by dental insurance.

“As an(other) option, your dentist can make moldings of your top and bottom teeth, then make plastic bleaching trays for you to use at home for 3-7 days with a milder peroxide gel. The average cost of these trays are $200-$400 and are not covered by dental insurance. This option is effective but takes a bit longer.”

For brightening pearly whites on a budget… “I suggest investing in a collection, like my favorite dental collection called the Crest and Oral B 3D White Collection,” says Dr. Austin, who says the whole thing costs less than $100! “Brush for two minutes daily with the Oral B 3D Pulsar Toothbrush and Crest 3D White Vivid Toothpaste, then rinse daily with the Crest 3D Multicare Whitening Mouth Rinse, then add that dazzle and eliminate spots by using the Crest 3D White Professional Effects Whitestrips, the most effective of all Crest Whitestrips, once daily for 30 minutes, for 3-7 days. If you want to quickly whiten your smile try Crest 3D White 2 Hour Express Whitestrips ($54.99, 4 whitening strips). They deliver a noticeably whiter smile in just two hours. Apply once for two hours and get noticeable results that last for three months. Each kit contains four treatments so you can keep your smile bright for a whole year.”

On nixing discoloration and spots… “To permanently eliminate (white or brown) spots is to have your dentist perform a bonding procedure,” says Dr. Austin. “I do this procedure a lot in my office. With bonding, your dentist can drill the area that has a white or brown spot to permanently eliminate the discoloration. Depending on how big or deep the spot is, numbing may be required. Next, your dentist can select the color of the tooth colored bonding material called composite resin that matches the enamel surrounding the spot. Your dentist will hand sculpt the composite resin to the area that was drilled then harden the material with a UV light to make the white spot disappear and restore the color of the tooth.”

A “smarter” bonding hint… “The average cost for this procedure is $200-$300 per tooth,” Dr. Austin says. “For those with insurance, this procedure can be billed and possibly partially paid for by your insurance. Have your dentist submit for an approval from your insurance before performing this procedure to learn exact cost per tooth.”

On a complete smile makeover… If your smile has a lot more imperfections than you’d like, Dr. Austin says veneers might be the option for you. “Porcelain veneers are thin shells or porcelain that are permanently glued or bonded to the entire front surface of the teeth. It’s the procedure that many of your favorite Hollywood stars get to perfect their imperfect smiles. The procedure takes two visits and cost an average of $1000-$2000 per tooth. The beauty of veneers is that they can not stain which makes it worth the investment.”

Thanks to Dr. Austin for sharing her awesome hints! Have a happy, and smile-filled, weekend, readers.

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I’ve never been big on mouth wash/rinse, but after a recent visit to my dentist where he spotted a possible cavity, I’ve become extra vigilant about preventing tooth decay. It has been nearly a decade since I’ve had a cavity (they stopped when I bought a Sonicare toothbrush), and I’d like to keep it that way! A few months ago, Crest launched their Pro-Health Invigorating Clean Multi-Protection Rinse, which is designed to work with their Clinical Gum Protection Invigorating Clean Mint Toothpaste to fight cavities, tartar, sensitivity, fight plaque, and gingivitis, and I’ve been using both for about a month. There are so many toothpastes and rinses from which to choose, but I was convinced by this one after reading that in a clinical study, 100 percent of people who used these two products had reduced plaque and gingivitis in just 2 weeks.

The tell-tale will, of course, be in a few months when I go back to my dentist and see if I managed to ward off the cavity, but for now I’m feeling like I’m on track and my boyfriend, for one, couldn’t be happier because prior to this I was using Barbie toothpaste that smelled like bubblegum! The rinse leaves you with a long-lasting minty flavor (I’m not a big mint fan, but there’s no denying it’s what leaves you with the freshest mouth sensation).

Do you use mouth rinse on a daily basis?

Image: Crest

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I think it’s safe to assume we all have tiny quirks in our appearances that we’d sometimes like to change. It’s that teensy thing you always notice when you look in the mirror. It might make you grimace a bit. Why? Because it’s absolutely and infuriatingly unchangeable. Well, friends, let’s talk about that little “flaw” for just a moment.

Maybe it’s a tooth that isn’t quite aligned with the rest of your smile. Or perhaps it’s a scar on your forehead from a spill on ice at age 8. It may even be the freckling that dots your cheeks. I could list a million quirks. I won’t, but for the sake of proving you’re not alone, I have one of my own. For me, it’s a tiny white spot on my right eye-tooth. It used to bug me rather frequently, because it isn’t going anywhere any time soon. (I tried whitening treatments to no avail. It’s permanent.)

Yes, it used to bother me. But recently decided something: I actually love it.

We mistakenly think that those imperfections make us less beautiful in some way. That we’re flawed. Maybe we are flawed, but I think those flaws are what make us truly beautiful. Seemingly always-stunning celebs even have them.

Kate Bosworth has two different color eyes. It’s a defect, but isn’t it a cool one? Kirsten Dunst has often been criticized for her crooked grin. She’s had it since childhood. I hope she never changes it. Creative director of Vogue and former model Grace Coddington talked to The Huffington Post about how unconventional beauty helped her break into the industry and how she’s casting models today with the same traits: “I was never your average pretty girl. I’m not blonde. And I guess one always goes for people of your own type. I like models with personality, that are as different as can be.” Refreshing, right?

So, think about your own unconventional beauty quirk, whatever it is. Instead of letting that spot, scar, fill-in-the-blank, irritate you, embrace it. As I had to realize, it just makes you who you are. “Flaws” create interest. Perfect is boring. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and someone is going to find that quirk gorgeous one day. Maybe someone already has. But the most important person to realize it’s beautiful? That would be you.

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Of course, there are always inordinate amounts of photos taken each time you say “cheese”. In order to keep myself looking photo-friendly and ready for the holidays, I wear my favorite red lipstick from M.A.C. cosmetics. Red lipstick is a great way to create a glamourous look and helps make teeth look pearly white. Let me show you my how-to guide for red lipstick:

Choose a red lipstick that complements your skin tone. Whether you wear warm or cool tones, a true red is most flattering for most skin colors. Follow the steps below to get your luscious lips ready for mistletoe:

1. Make sure your lips are hydrated. Use a lip balm/conditioner.
2. Apply lip primer or concealer over lips. This will help lip color last longer and reduces pigmentation and undertones on lips.
3. Line your lips with liner (color of lipstick or nude color), or use a lip brush and dab onto chosen red lipstick. This will help keep lipstick looking clean and smear-free.
4. Apply red lipstick, and stay between the lines.
5. Smile! your red color will contrast with your teeth, and make them look whiter.

Follow these tips for a flawless look:

• Stick with rich red or berry colors (using orange tones or bright corals will make your teeth look yellow).
• Red colors with blue undertones are most effective and will keep your teeth looking white.
• Keep your lips shiny with gloss, or try dabbing a gloss on the center part of your lower lip. This will help lips look plump.
• Before you say “cheese,” take a swig of water or lick your teeth. This will help make your teeth look shiny.

Since I inherited an olive skin tone, I chose Russian Red lip gloss and Viva Glam I lipstick from M.A.C. cosmetics. Choose from other cosmetic  brands available, and choose a red lip shade that looks best on you! Now’s the time to spread some holiday cheer!

Image Source: parsonsillustration.com

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I still have the mold of my teeth. It’s creepy and cool. Also it worked, my teeth were really white and it turns out that the professional grade quality I used then was REMBRANDT as well.

Life is funny that way, swings full circle. The only thing I did not like about it was the taste. Well now years later advances in teeth whitening has not only greatly reduced the price of teeth whitening, but also the convenience and taste factors!

Rembrandt now offers a home kit for teeth whitening. You no longer have to pay the big bucks for your dentist to make a cast of your teeth. The 2 hour whitening kit contains a unique fast acting bio-available peroxide that visibly whitens teeth in just two hours. Plus the comfy applicators mold to your teeth under hot water and makes for easy and comfortable application. Doesn’t taste like amonia anymore either!

Price $24.99

I used it and it works. Plus they are offering a $5.00 off coupon off the Rembrandt site. 

I don’t think your suppose to use the heavy duty 2 hour kit all the time so for touch ups check out:

1.  Rembrandt Whitening Touch-Up Pen

Price $14.99

2. Rembrandt Whitening Strips

Price $24.99

You can find all these products at the Rembrandt site – Click here! 

You shall be rocking a killler smile this Holiday Season! I am a fan of Rembrandt, what do you guys recommend that works….

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