12 Teeth Whitening Tips for a Hollywood Smile (remake)

If you’re not actively whitening your teeth, you’re staining them. That’s why it’s best to use oral hygiene products that do double-duty and whiten while cleaning and protecting the health of your teeth. Purchase whitening toothpaste, floss, mouthwash and even whitening gum to maintain your sparkling smile.

Try Crest 3D White Whitening Therapy Enamel Care Toothpaste, $6.50

Since brushing your teeth is your main defense against yellowing, it’s vital to use a good toothbrush. It’s recommended to replace your toothbrush or electric toothbrush head every two to three months, or when the ends start to fray. And make sure it’s the right size for your mouth so it targets all those hard-to-reach spots.

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Swap out your manual toothbrush and brush smarter (we're talking 100% more plaque removal smart) with the latest technology for your teeth. The Oral B Genius uses positional detection to tell you where to brush next and ensure that you don't miss a single tooth. Plus, using the accompanying app, you can create custom coaching journeys (like the 4-week whitening program) to help you brush your way to healthier, shinier teeth.

Try Oral-B Power Genius 8000 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush, $219-270.

According to experts at the Oral Health Foundation, one of the worst habits most people have when it comes to brushing is rinsing out with water. Rinsing your mouth washes away the fluoride in toothpaste that helps to protect your teeth, as well as the whitening agents found in toothpaste to ensure your smile is at its brightest.

Choose water over other sugary soft drinks and fruit juices (which will only contribute to wearing down your teeth, anyways). Drinking water promotes the production of saliva, which is your body’s natural defense against tooth decay. It’s also a good idea to swoosh water in your mouth after eating to prevent stains from food.

For more tips on what to avoid, check out the 6 snacks that are sabotaging your smile.

Lip colours with blue undertones, like rich reds and berries, will help your teeth appear whiter. When these deep colours are juxtaposed against your teeth (whether they’re pearly white or not) the contrast will give an instant boost in brightness.

While you may think using a straw or sipping behind your teeth prevents dark-coloured beverages like tea, coffee and coke from staining your teeth, the fact is that as long as it’s in your mouth, it’s doing damage. To prevent tooth stains and yellowing over time, try to limit your intake of dark-coloured drinks.

More pics: 10 hydration hacks to help you drink more water.

Dental problems are just one of the many health issues smoking can cause. Not only can cigarettes lead to gum disease, but the nicotine also stains teeth (ick!).

Just like some lipstick colours help your smile appear whiter, some colours make your teeth look yellower. If you’re self-conscious about the colour of your teeth, avoid wearing frosty pinks and orange-tinted lipsticks, which will only draw out the yellow in your smile.

If you have a big event that you need to put your best smile forward for, whitening at home is a quick and dramatic solution. The latest technology to hit your cabinet is new blue light technology that provides noticeable whitening at home in only 10 days.

Try Crest 3D White Whitestrips with Light, $120.

That Hollywood smile is not as far away as you might think. For an instant boost in brightness, swipe on some shiny lip gloss. Shiny, nude glosses will reflect off your teeth and give the illusion of a more sparkling smile.

Trips to the dentist are an important part of maintaining a healthy, pearly white smile. Get your teeth cleaned twice a year to remove the build-up of plaque, which will lead to yellowing and staining over time. Your health care benefits likely cover cleanings, so there’s no excuses not to!