5 ways to get a healthy, radiant smile: whether you're in search of whiter teeth or a prettier grin, these are the latest fixes for your most important assets

Shape, March, 2007 by Virginia Sole-Smith

Think of your smile as your secret beauty weapon--if you've got a great one, no amount of makeup will light up your face in quite the same way. But the benefits go beyond just looks. Scientists are learning that a stellar smile is also an indicator of your overall physical well-being. "Studies show links between gum disease and diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and other serious medical conditions," says Paula Jones, D.D.S., vice president of the Academy of General Dentistry. To ensure the health of your gums and help you maintain a star-quality smile, we've tracked down answers to five of your most common oral-care questions. Check out the latest advice on everything from beating bad breath to straightening teeth without braces.

Q I wore braces as a teen, but now I've developed gaps between my top teeth. Why--and is there a no-braces solution?

A It's normal for everyone's teeth to shift throughout life--so yours is a common problem, particularly among women in their 30s who wore braces at one point. "Many twenty- and thirty-somethings need orthodontics all over again because they stopped wearing their retainers after junior high," explains Marty Zase, D.M.D., president of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

* THE EXPERT FIX The good news is that you don't need an Ugly Betty-style mouth of metal to correct your smile. A cosmetic dentist can bond thin, long-lasting porcelain veneers on top of teeth to cover gaps and even overlapping. The procedure once required several visits and a two- or three-week wait for molds to be taken and made, and then for veneers to be cemented in place, but now the time frame is shorter thanks to 3-D computer technology. In some cases the entire process can be completed in just a day. If you're on a budget or don't need your teeth fixed overnight, Invisalign braces are the way to go. You'll wear a series of clear, custom-molded plastic trays that snap over your teeth and guide them into place. Unlike braces and retainers of old, however, no one will be able to tell you've got them on. You switch to a new set of aligners every few weeks as your teeth shift into position. Your smile will look less crooked within the first two weeks, but the procedure can take up to two years to completely straighten out your teeth. The cost is comparable to traditional braces: $3,500 to $5,000, depending on the severity of your case. Log on to invisalign.com for local information.

Q Why do I get a shooting pain in my teeth when I eat or drink something hot or cold?

A By far the most common cause of tooth sensitivity is exposed dentin. This hardened tissue, which lies just beneath the tooth's protective coating of enamel, contains thousands of tiny channels that transmit hot and cold sensations to the pulp, the nerve center of the tooth. (Sweet, sour, and highly acidic foods and beverages can also trigger these twinges.)

* THE EXPERT FIX Over time, brushing too hard or using a hard-bristled toothbrush can wear down enamel--so start easing up on the pressure and switch to a softer toothbrush. Also try desensitizing toothpastes; they're formulated with potassium nitrate, which reduces pain by shielding the nerves under the gum line. Find it in Rembrandt Sensitive toothpaste ($7; at drugstores). "In addition to brushing with it, rub a thin layer of the toothpaste on any affected teeth every night," advises Zase. Your pain should lessen within 24 to 48 hours. If it persists or the jolting sensation lasts more than a minute, see your dentist. You could have a deep cavity, a dying nerve, or a broken tooth. Or you may require an in-office treatment, like a fluoride varnish or a dentin sealer, which can be applied to the exposed root surface to help relieve sensitivity.

Q My front teeth are very yellow. What's the best way to brighten them fast?

A Whitening toothpastes are available over the counter--and they're relatively inexpensive, easy to use, and a good first step as they can brighten and lighten the color of teeth by about one shade. Best bets: Mentadent Advanced Whitening Fluoride toothpaste with baking soda and peroxide ($4) and Colgate Luminous toothpaste ($3; both at drugstores).

If you need more than that, powerful at-home or professional tooth-whitening treatments can help. They remove stains on the tooth surface as well as deeper discoloration (and can brighten teeth three to 12 shades) because they contain high concentrations of bleaching substances like hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide.

* THE EXPERT FIX Nothing offers instant gratification like an in-office power-bleaching treatment. The technique uses lasers or other sources of bright light and heat to activate a highly concentrated peroxide gel that whitens teeth dramatically in just an hour. The only downside (besides the cost, which runs about $450) is that the process can cause mild to moderate tooth sensitivity for several days--and, in some cases, even a temporary burning sensation of the gums. To alleviate discomfort, apply Orajel Advanced Tooth desensitizer ($5; at drugstores); it helps to reduce the telltale jolts of pain within minutes of application.