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Smile Brighter

Fri., Nov. 13, 2009 ,1:04 pm EST


Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

With the spotlight set on bold, vibrant lip color this season, don’t get caught clashing with dull, yellow or grey-toned teeth. Sparkling whites are not just an A-List asset; they’re the season’s hottest accessory.

From apples to antibiotics, almost anything can cause enamel to darken, so be sure to color-correct your smile with one of these six simple solutions.

Gloss & Go: GoSmile Smileceuticals Good-For-You Lip Treatment
If you’re craving an instant boost in brightness, try using a lip color with blue undertones. This quick fix works by offsetting the yellow tint to your teeth, making them appear whiter. Perfect for a post dinner date touch-up. $18, Sephora.com.

Chew On This: Trident White Sugarless Gum
Consider yourself a Javaholic? Counteract your espresso addiction with a sugar-free whitening gum. Every stick you chew helps to prevent the build-up of dulling residue on your enamel, by breaking up surface-level stains so that they can be washed away. Trident’s formulation also strengthens your teeth with calcium and phosphate. $10.99/carton, Drugstore.com.

Rinse and Repeat: Listerine Whitening Pre-Brush Rinse
Just like a mysterious summer fling, your smile should never reveal too much. Keep your love affair with red wine under the radar by rinsing twice daily with this minty-fresh mouthwash. It boasts all the benefits of classic Listerine, along with whitening agents like Hydrogen Peroxide to safely lift stains. $5.99, Drugstore.com.

The (Satisfying) Quickie: Crest Whitestrips Daily Whitening + Tartar Protection
Just five minutes a day with these double-duty strips, and your dental sins can be absolved. Whitestrips work continuously to reverse discoloration, while also protecting your teeth from tartar build-up and everyday stains. Repeat offenders, like tea and tobacco, don’t stand a chance. $39.99, CVS.com.

Trays Chic: Opalescence Treswhite Supreme
Get your white on with this intensive, ten-day treatment kit by Opalescence. Each set of trays comes pre-filled with a potent, ten percent peroxide solution, along with a gingival barrier gel to protect your gums. Their innovative formulation also works to rebuild your tooth enamel and prevent caries (an infectious disease that can cause cavities and tooth decay). $54.99, Amazon.com.

See the Light: Britesmile Professional Teeth Whitening
Give the Simpson sisters a run for their money, by booking a professional bleaching treatment at your local Britesmile Spa. In as little as an hour, your teeth can be lifted up to fourteen shades using an ultraviolet-activated whitening gel, which boasts a hydrogen peroxide content of twenty-five percent. Just be sure to stock-up on sunglasses for your friends. Starting at $298, Britesmile.com.