Giving yourself a great smile is easier than you'd think

(ARA) - What's the first thing you notice about a person? What they're wearing? How they speak? Many times, it's the smile that gets the most attention, even on first impression.

Did you know that the smile outranks eyes, hair and even the body as the most attractive feature, according to a 2009 national survey from the American Dental Association (ADA), Crest and Oral-B? That idea is borne out in much of what we see every day on TV. In magazines and advertisements: brilliant smiles are everywhere.

While celebrities and models have a small army of stylists and make-up artists to make them look their best on camera, they also have secrets to maintaining their smiles when their glam squad is not around. Getting a celebrity-beautiful smile isn't impossible, nor is it as expensive (or painful) as you might think. Armed with some basic knowledge and everyday tools, it is possible to give yourself the star treatment at home without breaking the bank. Switching up your oral health routine will not only help you maintain a beautiful smile, it will also save you extra trips to the dentist's office outside your regularly scheduled check-ups.

Here are some tricks of the trade that will have you smiling from ear to ear.

Go beyond just brushing. Using an oscillating, power toothbrush, such as Oral-B Premium Power, can help to remove as much as 100 percent more plaque than a regular manual brush. The cleaning action that goes deep between teeth and along the gum line not only gives a more thorough clean feeling, the extra plaque removal can help prevent gingivitis. "A power toothbrush is an investment in your health," says Dr. Robert Gerlach. "In fact, for every $1 spent on prevention in oral health care, you can save up to $50 in restorative and emergency treatment."

Even a few everyday steps can make your smile as show-stopping as any in Hollywood, and a regular dental care program will help keep it that way for a long time. To make electric toothbrushes accessible to all, from Sept. 1 to Oct. 31, 2010, select brushes from the Oral-B ProfessionalCare Series of Premium Power toothbrushes will be 50 percent off after mail-in rebate. For more information, visit www.oralb.com.

Sometimes a quick fix will do when you're strapped for time. Sorry guys, this one's not an option for you, but women can use a simple trick to give their smile some extra emphasis. Choosing the right lipstick or lip gloss will not only draw attention to your smile, but certain shades can also make your teeth look dramatically whiter in a just a few seconds.

Even a few changes in your oral care routine can make your smile as show-stopping as any in Hollywood. Armed with these simple tips, you will be well on your way to a healthy, red carpet-worthy smile.