Keep your teeth white

Q I want to use a whitening toothpaste to brighten my teeth, but I'm worried that it will be too abrasive. Is it safe to use every day? What if my teeth are already sensitive?

A Most toothpastes are at least mildly abrasive to buff and polish away surface stains. But whitening toothpastes contain a special combination of abrasives and detergents that give them an extra stain-removal boost, explains Jaimee Morgan, D.D.S., a cosmetic and restorative dentist in Salt Lake City, who adds that it is OK to use these products every day. Whitening toothpastes are not as strong as traditional tooth-whitening gels or trays, which usually contain a peroxide agent that penetrates the tooth to get rid of stains from within. (These stronger whitening gels/trays cannot be used every day.) Unlike other methods of bleaching, whitening toothpastes remove only superficial stains, says Morgan. Therefore, they're great in conjunction with other bleaching methods, but don't expect them to produce dazzling results on their own.

If you have sensitive teeth, be aware, though, that any form of whitening may cause an increase in temporary tooth sensitivity. If you're trying to decide which toothpaste is best for you, here's what to look for:

Fluoride This is the most important ingredient in toothpastes; it keeps teeth strong, and toothpastes with fluoride prevent cavities better than those without. Try Crest Vivid White with fluoride ($4; at drugstores), which helps remove, and prevent, surface stains.
Created for those who suffer from canker sores These oral ulcers can be aggravated by foods or beverages that are extremely acidic, like citrus fruits or fruit juices. Some detergents in toothpastes can irritate canker sores, so look for products formulated without such detergents, such as Rembrandt Extra Whitening Toothpaste for Canker Sore Sufferers ($7; at drugstores).
Minimal abrasiveness While most whitening toothpastes are only mildly abrasive, some can be too abrasive and if used too often, can wear away your enamel, which in turn can make teeth more sensitive. If you want to whiten everyday, look for a product that is labeled as minimally abrasive (try Ultradent Opalescence Whitening Toothpaste, $7; 800-496-8337).
Designed for sensitive teeth Toothpastes that are specially created for sensitive teeth, in addition to being less abrasive, may contain potassium nitrate, an ingredient that helps to desensitize nerve endings. Find it in Sensodyne Extra Whitening Toothpaste for sensitive teeth ($5.44; at drugstores).--Kate Williams

Q I've heard a lot about sugaring as an alternative to waxing for hair removal. What is it, and is it really painless?

A Waxing and sugaring are very similar hair-removal processes, where a thin layer of wax or gel is applied in the direction of hair growth, then covered with a strip of fabric, which is pulled off in the direction opposite to hair growth. Sugaring dates back to the ancient civilizations of Egypt and Greece. It's considered less painful than waxing because, unlike wax, the gel adheres only to the hair and not to the skin, explains Shobha Tummala, owner of the Shobha salons in New York City. Sugaring gel also contains all-natural ingredients (sugar, lemon juice and water). For these reasons, sugaring is a good option for sensitive skin, and--unlike waxing--it can be used safely by those taking the prescription acne drug Accutane or using retinols (including over-the-counter retinols).

To try sugaring at home, opt for Shobha's sugaring kit, with reusable strips ($30; shobhathreading.com), or Moom Introductory Kit ($25; moom.com) with sugaring gel, reusable strips and wood applicators.-Liz Koppelman

Short on Time? Try These ...

Whitening toothpastes can only do so much; that's where power-whitening products come in. Here, how to brighten your smile, depending on the amount of time you have:

2 weeks: Supersmile Whitening System

($30; supersmile.com) A brush-on accelerator used in conjunction with whitening toothpaste, at right, takes just minutes a day and gently bleaches away stains.

1 week: Crest Whitestrips Premium

($35; at drugstores) Wear these transparent strips, at right, on top and bottom teeth for 30 minutes twice daily for seven days.

2 hours: Rembrandt 2-Hour Whitening Kit

($20; rembrandt.com) Use this tray system, at right, for a total of two hours; it's perfect for last-minute brightening.

1 hour: BriteSmile Professional 1-Hour Teeth Whitening

(about $600; 800-BRITESMILE for locations) You can get teeth up to nine shades whiter with this painless blue-light bleaching process.

3 minutes: Colgate Whitening Toothbrush

($3.29; at drugstores) While you can't get shades lighter with a toothbrush alone, this one can help amp up the results of your whitening toothpaste with special polishing pads that work to remove surface stains.--India-Jewel Jackson

COPYRIGHT 2004 Weider Publications
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group

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