Your 32 teeth not only help you to talk and chew, they can make or break your appearance. Read on to find out what you can do to keep your pearly whites sparkling.

1. Go on a White-Teeth Diet

What goes into your mouth shows up on your teeth. So if you’re drinking a lot of red wine or black tea, or smoking cigarettes, expect the results to show up as not-so-pearly whites. Other culprits include colas, gravies and dark juices. The bottom line: if it’s dark before you put it in your mouth, it will probably stain your teeth. Step one: brush your teeth immediately after having foods that stain. Step two: regularly use a good bleaching agent from your dentist. Step three: be conscious of tooth-staining foods and drinks, and have them only when a toothbrush is around. If not, have an apple for dessert.

2. Hum While Brushing Your Teeth

The ideal amount of time to brush to get all the bacteria-packed plaque out is at least two minutes. Use your watch or keep a timer in the bathroom and set it for 2 minutes. Or find a tune that lasts about two minutes and hum it to the end.

3. Grip Your Toothbrush Like a Pencil

Does your toothbrush look as if it’s been used to clean the car? If so, you’re probably brushing too hard. Contrary to what some scrub-happy people think, brushing with force is not the best way to remove plaque. The best way is to place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against your gums and gently move it in a circular motion, rather than a back-and-forth motion. Grip the toothbrush like a pencil so you will not scrub too hard.

4. Drink a Cup of Tea Every Day

Flavonoids and other ingredients in tea seem to prevent harmful bacteria from sticking to teeth, and block the production of a type of sugar that contributes to cavities. Tea also contains high amounts of fluoride.

5. Replace Your Toothbrush Regularly

Throw away your toothbrush or change the head of your electric toothbrush at least every two to three months. Otherwise, you are just transferring bacteria to your mouth.

6. Use Alcohol-Free Mouthwash

Most over-the-counter mouthwashes have too much alcohol, which can dry out the tissues in your mouth, making them more susceptible to bacteria. Some studies even suggest a link between mouthwashes containing alcohol to and an increased risk of oral cancer. To be safe, be a teetotaller when it comes to choosing a mouthwash.

http://www.readersdigest.ca/health/beauty/6-tips-whiter-teeth