Put Your Best Smile Forward

With unemployment at 9 percent, fewer people are smiling these days. That could be bad for their health. Dr. Mark Stibich, an epidemiologist and consultant at Columbia University, says smiling can help relieve stress, lower blood pressure and reduce your risk of getting cancer. "The pathway of a smile is a big upward spiral," says Stibich.

Bloomberg Rankings calculated the cost of getting a great smile for a 35-year old woman with a New York-based dentist and dermatologist, as well as for a similar woman who takes matters into her own hands. (Note to guys: Most of these prices apply to you as well.)

Note: Sources and methodology on final slides; brand mentions are not endorsements