We are finally at the end of our series, folks. I want to thank you for hanging in there with me as I got through this. And now, let's get to this last tip:

Go see a dentist.

"What the hell again, Victor? All that reading just so that you can tell me to go see a fricken dentist?

What the hell Victor? What the hell?"

Yes, go see a dentist, dammit.

Look, we can explore all sorts of "cheap", "easy", solutions for getting our teeth the whitest they can be. Oil pulling, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, wheatgrass, maybe they all have a place in our DIY quest for the pearly's. But of all of these, and many more (activated charcoal, chewing on hard fruits and veggies, OTC whitening strips, etc.), none of these can offer the same level of effectiveness as going to a board-certified pro that specializes in the proper care and upkeep of your chompers.

Something else you probably didn't know; the health of our gums is intrinsically tied in with the health of not only our teeth, but our overall health as well. According to dental professionals, there is a link between gum disease and heart disease. When inflamed or swollen, the gums can release toxic stuff that leaches into the bloodstream. That stuff can combine with platelets to clump up and lodge in blood vessels, potentially causing blood clots that can lead to heart disease. So, this isn't just something for actors consider, but for anyone that is interested in maintaining a much more healthier life, as well as getting better looking teeth.

Back from the tangent, dentists have a variety of tools and techniques that they can use to improve the look of our teeth. And, of course, they're the most well equipped to tackle a variety of issues that we might have with our teeth. For some folks, it may just be a matter of a good polishing with ultra mild abrasive; maybe closer to toothpaste but slightly more aggressive. For some, it may be a chemical, or laser-augmented procedure. For others, it may be application of porcelain veneers. Now, I don't know the specifics of each one, or how they actually work. But having seen for myself the before and after on a family member whose teeth were in a lot worse condition than mine, I can tell you the difference is night and day. More importantly, these are things that only a dentist can accomplish.

Yes, the experience is going to be a time-suck. It will cost you more money than any of the other tips suggested. In some cases, the procedure may hurt a little. It will require preventative maintenance on you part to keep your teeth looking white. And, you may actually have to give up on some things that you've become used to; like that quadruple espresso with a hint of brown sugar and rum. But what you get for your investment will reap more benefit than you think.

So, get your grown folk pants on, and get to your dentist. And get ready to learn how to really smile again :D