She had to drag around a ton of allergies.

Her nose was constantly running and she couldn't get within ten feet of a cat. As if this wasn't misery enough, she had to put up with constant teasing from playmates. They took to calling her, Miss Runny Nose.

Carol longed to be an adult because she had been told she might outgrow her allergies. But this didn't happen.

Instead, her allergies turned into asthma. She ended up taking drugs several times a day and constantly reaching for an inhaler.

Nights were often worst. In order to breathe she had to sleep sitting up.

The drugs added to her misery, making her feel as if she'd been on a coffee binge. She had difficulty concentrating. And every nerve in her body seemed to be exposed.

Despite everything, Carol did manage to launch a successful professional singing career. But demon asthma kept advancing. Eventually, she had to abandon even this joyous activity. Breathing became too difficult.

Desperation drove her to look for drug alternatives. That's when she discovered simple sugars.

The science made sense to her. Here was food. Not some new miracle drug...not some magic extract from an exotic plant. But food backed by a science taught in medical schools since 2002.

Still she had doubts. It seemed almost too good to be true. But desperate for relief, she decided to try science. It couldn't hurt. After all, it was simply food. Non-toxic. No interaction with drugs. Safe as a blueberry muffin.

At first there was no change. But she had been told to expect that. It was like starting an exercise program. Results don't happen immediately.

Just about any dental practitioner answers to title, “Cosmetic Dentist.” But placing C-word on a shingle may not automatically impress today’s patients. A barrage of media accounts of vanity healthcare adventures has created a new consumer in dental care that is also well informed via Internet.

And now that a young, healthy smile is a “must-have” among patients of all ages, this savvy public can more easily detect “wannabe” from real thing. So, dentists aiming to attract patients with “smile makeovers” in their eyes better make sure they measure up:

Training, training, training. Dentists operating at top of cosmetic heap continually attend seminars and workshops to remain at forefront of research, materials and techniques.

“Dentistry has changed more in last five years than in last 20 years,” says Dr. Daniel Deutsch, at Washington Center for Dentistry, in Washington, DC. “So, we can’t get away with just reading professional journals. It means regular hands-on training with top specialists in field.”

Speaking with authority. A fine cosmetic dentist will speak with honesty, clarity and authority about options to improve a smile. They will be upfront and map out an organized plan of dental services, including phases of treatment, how much time it will take and how much it will cost. These dentists know better than to try to sell a “quick fix.” They have respect for patient and process.

Good Taste in Smile Design A dentist needs refined taste and artistry when it comes to teeth, because patients are entrusting them with a critical esthetic responsibility—their smile.

“A smile change is a self-esteem matter,” says Dr. Marc Doctors, also of Washington, DC.