Confidence Boosters: Smile Bright! 

Confidence can be inspired by many things, but our appearance tends to affect (and reflect) how we feel about ourselves. And let’s be honest: There are some days when you just don’t feel like applying makeup or doing something pretty or interesting with your hair. That’s when you should rely on your best attribute: your smile!

Good oral hygiene not only keeps your smile bright but also helps to prevent gum disease. It may seem impossible to feel confident about your smile without professional help (especially if you frequently drink coffee, tea, or red wine, all of which can stain your teeth), but there are plenty of ways to brighten your smile from the comfort of your own home.

BEST TOOTHBRUSH

Oral-B Pulsonic Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush

It may seem like a steep price ($50 at Walmart’s) to pay for your toothbrush, but the electric variety moves thousands of times per minute. That’s much faster than your normal toothbrush. The vibrations are better for really cleaning each individual tooth, and you don’t have to do any of the work.

BEST TOOTHPASTE

Colgate Optic White 

This toothpaste not only whitens the surface of your teeth but also uses hydrogen peroxide to remove deep stains from things like dark berries and tobacco. That means it works just like a whitening strip (our teeth looked less yellow after a week) but with no sensitivity issues. Besides being a whitening toothpaste, Colgate Optic White helps reduce plaque and fight cavities while it freshens your breath.

BEST MOUTHWASH

Crest Scope Outlast Mouthwash

This mouthwash kills 99% of bad breath germs, plus the new formulation keeps your breath feeling fresh up to five times longer than brushing alone.

BEST DENTAL FLOSS

Glide Pro-Health Clinical Protection Floss

Invigorate and stimulate your gums with a floss that will help remove plaque and fight gingivitis. Glide's floss is great for those tight spaces where brushing alone can't reach.  

BEST WHITENING SYSTEM

Go Smile Power Whitening Light System 

The power of light is used to whiten your teeth in less than 45 minutes. Using LED technology, this whitening system is fast and results are instant. It is a little pricey at $139, but you don’t have to worry about having sensitive teeth afterward.