Oral Care Tips

Protect and improve your pout with tips and tricks from Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen.

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Use Tools
Choose scissors, bottle openers and knives next time you need to rip into a tightly wrapped plastic package. It’s not worth sacrificing your teeth.

Employ Anti-staining Techniques
Certain foods will definitely stain your teeth: Think blueberries, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar and tomato sauce. The drinks? Red wine, coffee, tea, grape and cranberry juice. By all means, keep eating these foods, just employ these techniques...

• Keep a glass of water handy so you can sip and wash away remnants quickly.
• Never skip a bedtime to brush. Try to brush as soon as possible after a staining meal (travel toothbrush!).
• Some foods can actually whiten your teeth. Celery, carrots and apples are natural stain removers. Other foods create a film over your teeth, which acts as a barrier against staining. Try greens like broccoli, lettuce and spinach.

QUIZ: Are You Eating for Beauty?

Check It Out
You can test the health of your gums on your own, in some ways. Here are some signs you should see a dentist: bleeding, itching, bad breath and increased space between the teeth. You should see the dentist every six months (four, if you have gum problems). No matter how much you floss and brush, you can’t get all the gum-destroying plaque that’s deposited near your gums and between your teeth. Early detection of gingivitis will make it easier to treat.

WATCH VIDEO: A Review of Halitosis

Watch Your Lips
You should protect your lips with sunblock. If they get sun damage, they’ll wrinkle and you’re even susceptible to lip cancers, especially on the lower lip. This is where we get more sun exposure. Use lip gloss or balm during the day with SPF 15 or higher.

Keep Plumping In Check
Over the last decade, women have grown to think bigger is better when it comes to their lips. They’ve used silicone, collagen, fat, their own dermis (skin), hyaluronic acid and Gore-Tex to plump them up. Stay away from plastic implants—they don’t seem to do well over time.

MORE: What Makes a Mouth Beautiful?