Tip-top teeth tips

Nothing says gorgeous like a pearly white smile, but coffee, alcohol and sugary foods can strip the teeth of their enamel, leaving you with a less than lackluster grin. To get your teeth beaming again, try these simple teeth-maintenance tips…

• Once a week, brush with bicarb soda. Simply mix half a teaspoon of bicarb with toothpaste on your toothbrush and scrub up as usual. The grainy texture of the bicarb paste will buff back stubborn stains and whiten teeth over time.

• Got bleeding gums? Three times a week, get out the floss. Neglected flossing is one of the most common reasons for bleeding gums.

• Drink up! Aim to get 6-8 glasses of water a day. Regular H20 intake is vital to teeth hygiene, loosening leftover food particles in your mouth.

• Avoid hard bristle toothbrushes, these can aggravate the gums and lead to redness, irritation and bleeding.

• Swirl and spit: ever notice how the dentist always hands you a brightly coloured concoction every visit? Mouthwash keeps germs and bacteria away, including the ones that cause teeth to yellow.

• Be vigilant: once a day isn’t enough if you want clean, white teeth. For a dentist-clean feel and extra shiny pearly whites, brush-up morning and night.