I'm not that diligent when it comes to taking care of my teeth - I do the basics, of course, but am definitely in the business of lying to my dentist every time I see him ("Oh yes, of course I floss twice a day!"). I am also, however, genetically predisposed to all kinds of gum issues (yick), and so lately I've been trying to step it up so as to avoid an extremely gross and painful surgery that I fear is in my future. And also because having pretty teeth is sort of important when yours are the size of Chiclets.

On the health side, that's meant switching to an electric toothbrush (this one; I'm totally obsessed with it) every day. On the vanity side, that's meant staring forlornly for a few days at a smile that I feared was less-than-glowing, and then finally trying out Crest WhiteStrips (the 2-Hour Express kind).

So what do you think?