It’s said that: “a smile is the best form of makeup.” Our teeth play a huge role in our appearance — feeling proud and confident to flash a huge smile can completely change your interaction with people, have a positive effect on your work and colleagues and overall can enhance your quality of life. Here are some tips to help keep your pearly whites white, gums healthy and mouth in tip-top shape.

1. Stay away from stains
Red wine, black tea, coffee, and of course cigarettes, are all major culprits to not so pearly white teeth. To help avoid deep staining, it’s a good idea to brush immediately after eating or drinking foods that stain your teeth. You can also opt for a quick mouthwash if you’re out of reach of a brush or can even try this easy and healthy trick —eat an apple.

Another stain removal product to check out is teeth whitening sponges. Just like those magic white sponges that clean just about everything in the house, well now they’re available to clean your teeth. They do not require water or toothpaste, so are very easy to use and, surprisingly, do the trick. Sometimes difficult to spot in the drugstore, so keep your eyes open, they are often hanging somewhere at the end of the dental section.

2. Don’t overuse your brush
If you use an electric toothbrush, make sure you change the head every two to three months. This also applies to regular toothbrushes as well.
If you begin to notice the bristles splitting, it’s time to toss and grab something new, otherwise, you risk not only compromising the effectiveness of your brushing but you may also damage your gums. If you’re on the market for a new electronic toothbrush or ready to make the shift from disposable to electronic, there are a few which stand out with not only excellent product reviews but also customer ratings as well.

3. Brush your tongue
Use a tongue scraper every morning to remove tongue plaque and freshen your breath. One major cause of bad breath is the buildup of bacteria on the tongue, which a daily tongue scraping will help banish.

4. ‘Exercise’ your teeth
Raw foods — like apples, carrots, celery, and cucumbers — help clean teeth as they’re eaten because they are crisp, more firm and require our teeth to work in order to break them down into digestible pieces. Not only is incorporating more raw fruits and veggies into your diet a healthy and waist-slimming choice, it will also show in the health of your teeth, gums, and overall oral hygiene!

5. Try the baking soda trick
Baking soda is yes, not the best tasting substance to use when it comes to your dental routine but it does remove stains and whiten your teeth. Use it just as you would toothpaste. You can also use salt as an alternative, however, it won’t be so pleasant in taste. Also, if your gums start to feel raw, switch to brushing with salt every other day.

6. Use non-alchohol mouthwash

To check the freshness of your breath, lick the underside of your wrist and smell it while it’s still wet. If you smell something, it’s time for a sugar-free breath mint or even better: a quick brush or swish of mouthwash.