Getting Teeth White is Important for Self-Esteem

   We middle-aged women need to be vigilant about keeping our teeth white to reflect an image of being healthy and vital.  As we get older, our teeth may become stained, discolored, or turn various shades of yellow - all of which make us look older than our years.There are several methods to consider when you wish to brighten your smile.

Visit a dentist to ask about Philips Zoom which is applied at your dentist's office using LED whitening technology -- a procedure similar to having your teeth lasered. This method is costly, however, averaging approx. $300 for a visit. The good news is that results last a long time.

Place whitening gels in dental trays and fit them over your teeth for slower results. A dentist will make a pair of custom trays to fit your teeth, yet this procedure is costly at approximately $150, with additional cost for the whitening gel.

Consider looking for various brands of teeth whitening dental trays at a pharmacy, Target or Wal-Mart stores instead of spending money at the dentist's office.

Use whitening strips, which may also remove stains from your teeth. There are many whitening strips to choose from, with some promising to lessen stains in 7 days while others promise results in 2 hours or less. The cost of whitening strips varies from $10 to $50, based on the product's effectiveness.

Choose toothpaste that purports to whiten teeth in addition to mouthwash that claims to help rid teeth of stains as every effort helps to ward off tooth discoloration. Additionally, keep your toothbrush in good shape and look into some of the electric toothbrushes such as Sonic, which claim to help keep teeth whiter than manual toothbrushes.

Sure, keeping teeth white is a lot of work, but a healthy, sparkling smile is certain to enhance your self-confidence, making all the work worthwhile. Now smile.

ALWAYS Gloss Over It!

Middle-aged women like us are prone to drier skin than we had in our younger years. We can fight dry skin with topical lotions and by drinking lots of water, but we must not forget to keep our lips hydrated. 

Lip gloss is exactly what you need to have silky lips. Lip gloss will give your appearance a modern touch that shows you know how to wear makeup that is not dated. Apply lip gloss frequently, particularly if you are going out socially. Choose a shade close to your natural lip color or a clear gloss for best results.

Avoid excessively shiny lip gloss by selecting a lip gloss that is neither matte nor very thick. Keep an eye on ingredients and avoid those with cinnamon in them if you have a sensitivity to cinnamon. Many lip glosses created to "plump" your lips up contain cinnamon and can cause uncomfortable tingling of the lips.

PUCKER UP, LADIES!