Keep the teeth looking sparkling white and trouble free by brushing them ,after every meal. It's the brushing, not the toothpaste, that is important, though if your teeth are persistently yellow, you could try the toothpaste devised especially for smokers.

Brushing teeth helps stop particles of food from clinging to the enamel and getting wedged in cracks and crevices. When this happens, bacteria attacks the tooth, eventually getting through to the nerve and causing toothache. Going to the dentist regularly can help to stop this painful process. He can also improve the appearance of your teeth by straightening crooked teeth, filing uneven teeth and capping any discoloured ones.

Dental Health Care Tips

1. Avoid eating sweets, chocolates, biscuits and chewing gum between meals.

2. Brush both teeth and gums correctly.Hold the brush at an angle against the point where the teeth meet the gums and wiggle it against the surface with tiny circular movements.

3. Learn to trace every last vestige of plaque. Plaque is the villain of teeth and gums. It is made up of a fine sticky film consisting of bacteria and saliva which adheres to nooks and crannies like gum margins, biting surfaces and between the teeth.

4. Add dental floss and gum massages to your dental 'kit'. They remove plaque and tiny bits of food from between the teeth and help to strengthen gums.

5. Use a medium or soft toothbrush and change it every months.

6. Take time to brush teeth properly.

7. Gums are every bit as precious as teeth themselves. Watch out for bleeding while you brush a s well as swelling or pocketing of the gum tissue which causes a tiny gap to form between the tooth and edge of the gum.