Do you ever wonder how celebrities get their perfect pearly white smile? If so, you’ve landed in the right place because  Dr. Sam Saleh, dentist to the stars, has all the right answers –and he’s shared them with me to pass to my readers.

I recently had the chance to sit down with this expert in his immaculately posh office, the Beverly Hills Cosmetic Dentistry Spa. I wanted to know how one can best optimize his/her smile and specifically wanted to know all there is to know about porcelain veneers, dental cleaning and tooth whitening in particular.

Let’s start with the basics. Dr. Saleh is that special kind of dentist who views his patients as his friends. His renowned Beverly Hills cosmetic dentistry aims to improve the dental appearance of his patients by removing unsightly dental irregularities, dental stains, dental gapes, metal restorations and altering tooth form, tooth shape and tooth color through adhesive restorations, bleaching, veneers and cosmetic contouring. He uses the latest cosmetic dentistry’s techniques and materials, all set in a calming spa atmosphere. 

His celebrity clients flock to him because it all “boils down to looking good on camera.” They tell him, “I just saw myself on camera and don’t like what I see.”  He says people assume that they need a lot of work done to look better. But he considers himself a conservative dentist. He may simply change the shape, color or position of just one tooth and that can make all the difference in the world. “With less, you can get great results,” he says.

The most popular cosmetic procedure right now? Dr. Saleh says porcelain veneers are the hot ticket and are used as a camouflage for multiple of flaws ranging from improper tooth position, color and shape.

If you are like me, you may be under the misunderstanding that veneers mean your teeth being shaved down to a pick. Not true. Dr. Saleh says his practice is to shave the tooth as little as possible and rely more on adhesive bonding. “For me, tooth structure is sacred. Less is definitely more.”

Now, moving on to another popular treatment: Tooth whitening which Dr. Saleh says is a great option for people who like the shape of their teeth but still want a dramatic change. Dr. Saleh says he does not subscribe to the “toilet bowl white” you see on so many people. He respects all facial structures, skin tone, ethnicity, and even color of eyes to determine what shade of white would fit a patient best. He wants his patients to be told after a whitening, “you look great, what have you done?” It’s all about subtle change for him.

Now, here is the kicker. I always thought using teeth whiteners results in loss of enamel. NOT TRUE says Dr. Saleh. He calls that myth the biggest misconception. He says all teeth whitening procedures, whether done at home or in a professional setting, work on the same principle: that tooth is porous. Over time, stains such as coffee, red wine, and tobacco can penetrate the porous teeth, causing unsightly color. All whitening does is send oxygen molecules into teeth to remove the stains. And voila, you have a brighter smile–in about an hour or two if you get it professionally done.

Professional laser whitening stands apart from home whitening because the laser used in the procedure makes things happen much faster. But because professional whitening causes sensitivity, Dr. Saleh lets the gel sit in longer. “All good things come to those who wait,” he says with a smile.

So, next up –I wanted to know the difference between a good cleaning and tooth whitening because I know my teeth look whiter when I get my teeth cleaned. He explained that whitening works from the inside whereas cleaning works from the outside. Your teeth will look their best if you use the two procedures in conjunction with each other.

Finally, I wanted to know what we all want to know: HOW DO WE make the results of a tooth whitening procedure last as long as possible? He says no tea, coffee, red wine or smoking (of any kind) for two days after the whitening. And good cleaning and hygiene are the main keys afterwards. He swears by the new Sonicare Diamond. He also says flossing is important because no toothbrush can adequately get between the teeth. He also believes you should have your teeth cleaned every 3-4 months rather than the popular six month recommendation.

So, there you have the answers. But how well does a good cleaning and professional whitening work in real life? After I finished grilling Dr. Saleh for all the answers, he and his staff went to work by giving me a cleaning immediately followed by laser whitening. I am bravely giving you a before and after of my own results –so, what do you think?