Dental Health

Dazzling smiles: we all want one, but unfortunately Brits are more famous for wonky, yellowing gnashers than gleaming rows of perfect pearlies. 10 Years Younger's resident dentist Dr Uchenna Okoye is attempting to change all that, and has given 4Beauty her best (and most budget-friendly) tips to give your oral fitness regime an MOT - and keep your teeth in perfect condition.

The F Word

"Floss, floss, floss. Flossing is the best way to remove plaque and debris from between your teeth and keep your mouth clean. It is also one of the best ways of preventing bad breath - if you don't believe this, just smell the floss after it has been used. If you're a beginner, start with dental tape as it is often easier to use than floss."

Visit Your Hygienist and Dentist

"I recommend six-monthly visits to see the dentist and three-monthly visits to see the hygienist but this should be tailored to your individual needs. I have some patients who see the hygienist every month as they are more prone to disease than others. Your dentist may need additional preventive aids, such as a splint to wear at night if you grind your teeth. This will help prevent damage such as cracks to your teeth in later years. Prevention is always much better than cure."

Buy an Electric Toothbrush

"Invest in an electric toothbrush. I use the analogy of using the washing machine to clean clothes versus washing them by hand. Both will get your clothes clean, but the machine does it so much better and faster. Studies have shown that you remove twice as much plaque when you use an electrical toothbrush compared to a manual one."

Quit Smoking

"Tobacco produces toxins that damage your mouth tissue and also kills the good cells in your mouth that fight disease. Most people in the UK lose their teeth because of gum disease, and smoking is directly linked to this. Quit smoking while you can."

Recharge with Fluoride

"Fluoride makes teeth more resistant to attack by plaque bacteria. You must apply it daily on the tooth surface to have maximum effect. This is easily done if you use a fluoride toothpaste and rinse daily with a fluoride mouthwash."

Whitening

"The colour of your teeth has a huge impact on the age that you look and simple whitening can take more than five years off your smile. The colour of your teeth should match the whites of your eyes, but the key is not to go too white as this can look false - the new look is natural, so it should just make you look really good, fresh and fabulous. Be careful with over-the-counter products – check with your dentist before you use them – but if you can afford professional teeth whitening go for it."