Whiten Your Teeth at Home

Smiling, which usually feels good, can also make you feel self-conscious if your teeth are less than white or your lips are lined or cracked. But a slew of new treatments and products can keep you from wanting to stifle that grin. Here are the most effective teeth whiteners and brighteners, plus tips on selecting and applying gorgeous and goof-proof shades of red lipstick — just in time for little-black-dress season.

Get Whiter Teeth at Home

Strips, trays, toothpastes...what really works? Here, our experts reveal their favorites, along with advice on who should see a dentist before considering the DIY approach.

Why do teeth change color?
Blame time and your diet. With age, the enamel on teeth becomes thinner and more transparent, and the inner layer, called dentin, looks darker. Teeth also absorb colored liquids throughout your life, says Jeff Golub-Evans, D.D.S., a cosmetic dentist in New York City. Coffee, tea, cola, and red wine are frequent culprits, along with more tenacious tobacco stains.

How do at-home whiteners work?
Peroxide is the key ingredient in most whiteners. This safe-for-the-mouth bleaching agent forms bubbles on enamel that lift away stains. The higher the concentration of peroxide and the longer you leave it on your teeth, the whiter they'll get. The downside: Bleaching molecules can get trapped in nerve passageways, causing increased, though temporary, tooth sensitivity.

Who's a good candidate?

"At-home whitening is an option for anyone with a healthy mouth who has been to the dentist in the past year," says Matthew Messina, D.D.S., a consumer adviser for the American Dental Association who practices in Cleveland. Three groups shouldn't do their own whitening: those whose teeth are painfully sensitive to cold; anyone with crowns or fillings on their front teeth (they won't whiten and will end up looking much darker than surrounding teeth); and people whose enamel seems more gray than yellow (due to intrinsic stains from antibiotics like tetracycline taken in childhood). Assuming your dentist has given you the OK, Dr. Golub-Evans says you can assess your whitening potential this way: Hold a piece of white printer paper next to your teeth. If they look yellow, the stains are probably just on the surface — teeth should turn at least a couple of shades lighter with at-home bleaching. If your teeth look grayish, the discoloration likely lies inside the teeth, and bleaching won't help much.

What works best?

Trays and strips are the most effective at-home choices for dramatic whitening, say dentists. These "barrier method" whiteners keep the peroxide solution against the teeth for the longest time. Daily use can whiten teeth five or more shades. Most brands of trays and strips recommend you use them for around 30 minutes a day until you get to the desired shade (usually at least a week). For the most dazzling results, look for higher concentrations of peroxide combined with longer application times. Crest Whitestrips Premium ($35, drugstores) contains 10 percent peroxide and calls for wearing the strips for 30 minutes twice a day for a week.

The fit of the trays or strips stops some people from using them. Unlike a custom tray from the dentist's office, disposable versions are made with generic molds designed for the average-size mouth. They can leak peroxide solution through any gaps and cause tooth and gum irritation. Whitening strips easily wrap around teeth but sometimes slip and slide. (In early 2009, Crest will introduce a new whitening strip it claims will have better hold.) To reduce potential gum irritation with both trays and strips, don't brush your teeth for up to half an hour before applying them — or at least skip the toothpaste, suggests Robert Gerlach, D.D.S., a research fellow at P&G and developer of the original Crest Whitestrips. "Detergents in toothpaste can make gums more susceptible to irritation," he says.

Paint-on whiteners let you target the peroxide solution to specific teeth and spot-treat discolored cracks and chips on enamel. But because there's nothing holding the peroxide to the tooth, saliva quickly dilutes it. Some versions employ the same technology that gives long-lasting lipsticks more hold. "The whitening solution forms a film that protects the peroxide," explains Dr. Golub-Evans.

The Good Housekeeping Research Institute compared the performances of three paint-on teeth whiteners to a leading over-the-counter whitener and found that if you have sensitive teeth, the paint-on whiteners were the better choice. Testers used the products for either one or two weeks, according to the package directions. They gave GoSmile Advanced Formula B1 ($89, Sephora) high marks for its simplicity (pull out a pellet, snap it, and apply) and because, in most cases, it caused the least tooth sensitivity. "I liked the easy use [of GoSmile]," said one woman. "It was portable and not messy." Yet, while our volunteers thought GoSmile whitened effectively, it was outperformed by the control product in our laboratory before-and-after shade evaluations.

Toothpastes and toothbrushes brighten teeth a shade or two at most. A toothbrush featuring an oscillating motion will give you better results than a manual toothbrush, says Dr. Gerlach. But you have to brush for the recommended two minutes (Americans, on average, brush for well under a minute). As for whitening toothpastes, the most effective ones include ingredients that prevent new stains from sticking to teeth, like Colgate Total Advanced Whitening ($3.49, drugstores).

Mouthwash, the latest tooth brightener on the market, can swish away only the most superficial stains, since it doesn't stay in contact with teeth for very long. (In fact, if you don't use tobacco or drink coffee, tea, colas, or red wine, you may not need it.) Try Listerine Whitening Vibrant White Pre-Brush Rinse ($6.15, drugstores).

What more can a dentist do?

They make custom bleaching trays for at-home use, and they can apply a masking gel or dam to protect gums during stronger, in-office treatments. Many dentists have accelerated bleaching options that get teeth up to 10 shades lighter in a single visit (cost starts at about $400). Zoom! and BriteSmile are the two most popular. These use light to pump up the effects of double-digit-strength peroxide. However, any dramatic whitening can fade quickly without at-home maintenance (usually a tray, whitening strips, or toothpaste). You also have to watch what you eat and drink for a couple of days, since tooth enamel is very receptive to new color for the first 48 hours after a bleaching treatment

3 Tips for Great Lips

• Wipe out flakes. Smooth lips by gently rubbing them with a damp washcloth or soft toothbrush, then apply lip balm, suggests Jo Strettell, makeup artist for Rimmel. If the rough patches persist, it may actually be a reaction to the fragrance in your lip balm or lipstick. "Chronically peeling lips are often a sign of an allergy," says Santa Monica dermatologist Ava Shamban, M.D., who suggests switching to a hypoallergenic product.
• Disguise lip lines. Exfoliation and hydration are also key to smoothing lip lines. Try a thick balm or hydrating treatment like Le Couvent des Minimes Nutritive Lip Balm ($10, department stores). Then slick on a shiny gloss or lipstick; matte formulas can get caught in the creases.
• Fake fullness. Lip-plumping glosses are a fun way to fill out thin lips. They rely on ingredients — like cinnamon — that temporarily swell the skin. For best results, apply them to a bare mouth. "There's no downside as long as you're not allergic to the plumping ingredient," says Dr. Shamban. Try FusionBeauty LipFusion ($36, Sephora) or Prestige Wonder-Full Lip Plumping Gloss ($6; drugstores). Or opt for a gloss with shimmer to give lips a more 3-D look.

Who's Afraid of Bold, Red Lips?
Red lipstick looks festive — and can make your teeth look brighter. Here's help in finding (and putting on) the right red hue for you.

• Use this foolproof method: Choose a color based on your undertones, says L.A. makeup artist Heather Currie. If your skin is olive, orangey reds look best. Try Chanel Rouge Allure in Audace ($30, department stores). If pink undertones predominate, try blue-based reds like Avon Limited Edition Pro-to-Go Lipstick in Party Rouge ($8, avon.com). True reds — neither too blue nor too orange — are the tooth brighteners. They look good on everyone. Try Lancôme L'Absolu Rouge in Absolute Rouge ($29, department stores).
• Dress up lips with berry tones if you're red-shy; they're slightly less siren-y. Try a wine or plum shade, such as Revlon ColorStay Mineral Lipglaze in Perpetual Plum ($9, drugstores).
• Opt for sheer formulas if your skin is blotchy or uneven. Conversely, the deepest, most opaque reds flatter smooth, even skin.
• Match your liner to red lipstick. You want reds to look really perfect, suggests celebrity makeup artist Joanna Schlip.
• Keep lipstick off teeth with this Hollywood makeup artist's move: Apply your shade, then place a clean finger in your mouth, purse your lips, and pull your finger out along with any excess color.

Lasting Tip

Give your favorite shade more staying power by filling in lips with liner, placing color over it, then dabbing on translucent powder. Add another coat of color and a second light dusting of powder. Or try a long-lasting lipstick; the latest formulas don't dry out lips. We like L'Oréal Paris Infallible Never Fail Lipstick in Rosé ($12, drugstores).

In the shower: Stop stains and tartar buildup in five minutes a day. Crest Whitestrips Daily Whitening Plus Tartar Protection ($40, drugstores)

At snack time: Choose crunchy fruits and veggies, such as apple slices, carrots, and celery sticks. They actually help clean your teeth while you munch, explains cosmetic dentist Jeff Golub-Evans, D.D.S.

After lunch: Chewing sugar-free gum can absorb some of the new-to-the-surface stains when you don't have time to brush. Supersmile Professional Whitening Gum ($24 for 100 pieces, supersmile.com)

Night out: This gloss's blue undertones make teeth appear whiter; its shiny, minty formula gives lips, and breath, a boost. CoverGirl Wetslicks AmazeMint in Plum Crazy ($5, drugstores)

After dinner: Swish water in your mouth for 30 seconds right after eating to help prevent stains, says Dr. Golub-Evans.

HOW TO LOOSE PREGNANCY WEIGHT

(WebMD)  Now that your new baby is here, you have a lot to think about: when to feed her, what to do if she cries - and how to get rid of those extra pounds you packed on during your pregnancy.

If you started out at a normal weight and gained the 25-35 pounds your doctor probably recommended, it shouldn't take you more than a couple of months to get back to your pre-pregnancy weight if you watch what you eat and exercise.

If, on the other hand, you were overweight before your pregnancy or you put on more weight than your doctor advised, it could take much longer - up to a year - to get the weight off. Any baby weight you don't take off could stick with you for a long time.

"It's very critical that you do get the weight off, because if you don't it has been associated with overweight and obesity 15 to 20 years later in life," says Debra Krummel, PhD, RD, endowed professor in the University of Cincinnati department of nutrition.

And although every new mom is eager to look like her old self again, one of the most important things to remember is to be patient with yourself. Your favorite celebrity might have gone straight from the delivery room into her size 0 jeans, but she may not have done it in a way that was good for her body.

"All the magazines ask, 'How did she do it?' The more important question is, 'Why did she do it?'" says Melinda Johnson, MS, RD, registered dietitian and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association (ADA). "They do this with very, very strict diets, and a lot of them do it by getting back into activity before their body is really ready for it."

Johnson advocates a more gradual approach to weight loss. "The number one thing new mothers have to have is a certain amount of patience with their body," she says. "It took nine months to get there. It should take at least that long to get back to their fighting weight."

With that in mind, here are some tips to help you lose weight after pregnancy and fit back into your old jeans - whatever their size.

Don't diet

It may sound strange, but going on an official "diet" could derail your post-pregnancy weight loss goals. Feeling deprived of your favorite foods while you're already stressed out by your new role as mom could actually cause you to gain weight, Johnson says.

"If you go back to eating healthy and eating for your hunger, most women find that the weight comes off pretty naturally," she says.

Instead of dieting, she recommends eating a well-balanced variety of foods. Keep different snacks in the house to keep you from feeling hungry and give you energy throughout the day. Apple slices, carrot sticks, and wheat crackers are all good for noshing.

No matter how much you want to lose weight, try not to dip below 1,800 calories a day, particularly if you are breastfeeding. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's MyPyramid site can help you design a personalized eating plan based on your age, activity level, and weight loss goals. The site even has a special section for breastfeeding moms.

Load up on "super foods"

When you're a new mother, your body needs maximum nutrition, especially if you're nursing. Choose foods that are heavy in the nutrients you need and light in calories and fat.

Fish is one of these "super foods" because it's packed with DHA, an essential omega-3 fatty acid that helps your newborn develop a healthy brain and nervous system. The best sources of DHA are cold-water fish such as salmon, sardines, and tuna (stick to canned light tuna because albacore tends to be high in mercury).

Milk and yogurt are also super foods because they're high in the calcium you need to keep your bones strong. And don't forget the protein. Lean meat, chicken, and beans are low in fat and high in protein and fiber. They're good for you, and they'll keep you feeling full for longer.

Breastfeed

Whether breastfeeding can actually help you lose weight is still up in the air - some studies find that breastfeeding exclusively can help you return to your pre-baby weight faster, while others find no difference in weight loss between women who breastfeed and those who bottle feed.

What is for sure is that breastfeeding is good for your baby, boosting immunity and providing a number of other important health benefits. And nursing exclusively lets you add about an extra 300 calories a day to your diet (you can add slightly more calories if you have a really big eater or twins). Just make sure that if you do breastfeed, you don't use it as an excuse to eat whatever you want.

Drink up

Drinking plenty of water throughout the day prevents you from getting dehydrated. It also fills you up so that you don't eat as much, and some research has found that it may speed up your metabolism.

Whether you need the often-recommended eight glasses a day isn't certain, so Johnson recommends using the color of your urine and how often you need to go to the bathroom as guides. If you're drinking enough fluids, your urine should be relatively clear, and you should be going to the bathroom about every three to four hours.

Move it!

Diet is important, but it's only one part of your post-pregnancy weight loss plan. You also need to incorporate aerobic and strength training exercises after pregnancy to burn calories and keep your muscles and bones strong. "Exercise, beyond helping you lose weight, provides so many benefits to a new mom," Johnson says. "It helps with depression, it helps with the sleep issue ... it helps in relieving stress - and having a new baby in the house can definitely be stressful."

You don't have to hit the gym to get back in shape after pregnancy - taking a brisk walk with your baby in the stroller is enough to get your heart pumping and muscles working. "You want to shoot for at least 150 minutes a week," says James M. Pivarnik, PhD, FACSM, professor of kinesiology and epidemiology at Michigan State University and president-elect of the American College of Sports Medicine. With a new baby, finding 30 minutes in a row might be impossible, so Pivarnik suggests breaking up the time into 10-minute increments. Then try to work your way up to 20- or 30-minute sessions.

Lugging around a baby all day is itself a workout, but you still need to add some strength training. Use light weights - or even a couple of soup cans - as resistance. Many health clubs and community centers offer "mommy and me" classes that will let you incorporate your baby into your workout routine. But before you start any exercise program, get your doctor's approval, especially if you had a C-section.

Get some sleep

It may seem impossible to get a full eight hours of sleep when you have a baby summoning you like clockwork throughout the night, but being sleep deprived could make it harder for you to shed the baby weight. In one study, new moms who slept five hours or less a night were more likely to hold onto their extra pregnancy weight than women who slept seven hours. When you're tired, your body releases cortisol and other stress hormones that can promote weight gain. "Also when you're exhausted, you don't feel like taking good care of yourself," Johnson says. "You're less likely to choose healthy food. You're more likely to grab something through a drive-through. You're also less likely to get physical activity."

Your friends or family members may have told you to "sleep when your baby sleeps," and that's good advice. Catch as many naps as you can during the day and go to bed early - at least until your baby starts sleeping through the night.

Ask for help

If you're struggling to lose the weight, enlist the help of your doctor and a dietitian. The dietitian can help you design an eating plan that will let you lose weight safely and effectively while the doctor can guide you on how much weight you need to lose and when you can start exercising.