First, you should choose a dark color lip shade with a blue undertone. Rose, reds, burgundy, and plum shades work well. Be careful when choosing a shade. An orange or a color with an orange undertone can make your teeth appear dull and yellow.
It is the shades with the bluest hues that really bring out the whites of your teeth. Look at a shade and try to determine if it is more purple or more orange. If it is more purple, it is a blue-based color and will make teeth appear whiter. The best you can do is to find a red shade with a blue base.
I have found that a good raspberry color gloss also works well. It has the ‘blue’ undertones to it, and it is very complimentary to all skin tones and makes the teeth look whiter.
I’d avoid the orange-y lip tones. Peach is pretty but sometimes it washes out the complexion and makes teeth appear less white.
I wear a deep red. Just short of any purple tint. It’s really a pain to find. But it makes my teeth look very white. I never wear lipstick with any hint of orange. Bright pink doesn’t hurt teeth color, but the deep maroon red is very nice.
Also, snack on foods like apples and celery. These foods can help remove or eliminate plaque.
Dr. Laura Torrado graduated from the New York University College of Dentistry in 1989. She continued her post-graduate studies in full mouth rehabilitation and fixed and removable prosthetics, as well as completed a post-graduate program in esthetic dentistry. In 2004, she completed her certification in Invisalign technologies, and in 2005 she received her Fellowship from the Academy of General Dentistry. Torrado belongs to multiple professional organizations including the American Dental Association; Academy of General Dentistry; American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry; American Association of Women Dentists and SAMDSNY. In addition to her commitment to dentistry, she is also a passionate humanitarian. She has participated in the “Give Back a Smile Program” with the AACD, Safe Horizons organization and Amnesty International. For more information, go to www.drlauratorrado.com.
