Beauty Beat: Brighter Teeth, Better Life?

As the number of teeth-whitening treatments multiplies, many people are deciding that pearly white isn't enough; they want Tom Cruise-white. With the spread of home whitening products, researchers from the University of Michigan reviewed 25 studies measuring the efficacy and safety of these cheap fixes—strips, gels, and paint-on films, all of which whiten by bleaching, not abrasion. The studies revealed that the whitening products fulfilled their promises. But while they brightened teeth—and did so with minimal tooth and gum irritation—researchers stress that these studies lasted only two weeks and that long-term effects are still unknown. But having the self-confidence to smile a little more goes a long way.

Pearls of Wisdom

In the market for a whiter smile? Try one of these:

• Whitening Strips: Rembrandt Whitening Strips $29. Wear 30 minutes a day for 7 days.
• Gels: Aquafresh Whitetrays $32. Prefilled trays mold to teeth. Wear 30 minutes a day for 7 days.
• Paint-On Films: Crest Night Effects $18. For 14 nights, apply a thin layer to teeth before bed. In the morning, brush as normal.
• Professional Method: BriteSmile $399. Whitening gel is applied to teeth, then activated by a blue light administered for 20 minutes. This process is repeated twice.