HOW TO KEEP HOLD OF YOUR TEETH

Age is not kind to your teeth, which is why good oral hygiene is even more important now. The older you get, the duller your teeth become, due to years of red wine, coffee and herbal tea drinking (if you notice your cups are stained after certain drinks, the same is happening to your teeth). Your gums also shrink, giving you that long-in-the-tooth look, and teeth can get worn after years of night-time grinding. In addition to this list of woes, your gums are also more prone to disease as you age, which can lead to bad breath and worse. With one in seven people losing all their teeth before they are 50, you need to know how to stop the rot.

Everyday dental essentials

• Brush your teeth twice a day to prevent the build-up of plaque on the surface. It is much better to spend longer brushing gently with a soft-bristled brush than brushing hard and fast, which can cause erosion. For best results, use an electric toothbrush (any electric action is better than your manual technique), and replace bristles once they are splayed.
• Floss every night to remove food from the places your toothbrush cannot reach. And do not go easy if your gums bleed, as this is the first stage of gum disease. If you continue to floss, you will remove the plaque and stop the rot. Regular flossing can also help you live longer, as gum disease is now linked to heart disease (bacteria from the mouth can be absorbed into the bloodstream, ending up in the heart valves).
• You probably think brushing after a meal is the best option, but it is actually better to brush before eating, as food acids soften enamel, making it easy for you to remove a layer. And the less enamel there is, the yellower your teeth become, as the underlying dentine shows through. If you want to freshen your mouth straight after eating, rinse with water, which will also help neutralize the acids.
• Ironically, most 'whitening' toothpastes contain abrasives that work by scratching the surface of the teeth, causing eventual erosion (and therefore yellowing).
• Fluoride is actually a by-product of the fertilizer industry and known to be carcinogenic. Far better are natural toothpastes, which are not only less abrasive but also free of fluoride, artificial sweeteners, preservatives, colouring and other synthetic additives. Unsurprisingly, they taste nicer, too.
• Beware sugary food and drinks. They weaken enamel, allowing bacteria to enter the teeth and cause decay. And cut down on fizzy drinks (including sparkling water), which can also erode enamel.

Brightening your smile

• For a quick fix, visit the hygienist at your dentist for a 30-minute scale and polish. While not exactly pleasurable, you really do leave with a brighter smile, thanks to a good brush with an abrasive paste that removes stains and restores whiteness.
• DIY teeth-bleaching kits are now available on the high street, but do not expect dramatic results as the strength of bleaching solution is not as strong as the one your dentist can sell you (dentists use hydrogen peroxide, while most DIY kits use softer-acting sodium chloride). The solution is squeezed into a tray that fits over your teeth, but this is a standard size rather than being custom-made, as it would be at your dentist.
• You can make your teeth look whiter by wearing lipstick shades that contrast with yellow. That means avoiding anything with a yellow or orange undertone, such as coral and some browns, and going for colours with a cool tone, such as shades of berry and burgundy, plus blue-based reds and pinks.

Natural toothpastes are free of fluoride, artificial sweeteners and colourings. They taste nicer, too.

How a Dentist Can Make you Look Younger
If you put your hand over your mouth when you smile or clamp your lips together in photos, then you are the perfect candidate for cosmetic dentistry. The following treatments can work like a mini-facelift, with people saying how good you look but not quite knowing why. Unfortunately, cosmetic dentistry comes at a high price, and it is important to find a good dentist to ensure the work does not cause problems later. It is not taught at dental school, which means dentists must train further after graduation, making it extra important to do your research.

Always visit your chosen dentist for a consultation first. Many offer computer imagery so you can see a picture of yourself with your new smile before going ahead.

Teeth whitening
The most popular method uses a tray. Your dentist takes an impression of your teeth and a custom-built try is made. At home, you squeeze in a tiny drop of hydrogen peroxide gel for each tooth and wear it for up to an hour or overnight for one to two weeks (depending on instructions).

The second technique is light or laser-power whitening. Your gums and lips are coated with silicone fro protection and then a concentrated solution is applied to your teeth. A high-intensity light is shone on them for an hour, which penetrates the enamel and draws out stains. It is not exactly painful, but if you have a high level of sensitivity you could take a painkiller beforehand. Both these methods can improve the brightness of your teeth by up to 70%, with results lasting up to three years. Six monthly hygienist appointments will prolong the results by removing stains and giving teeth a polish.

Veneers and crowns
A godsend for crooked or badly discoloured teeth, they also bulk out teeth to provide a plumping, anti-ageing effect on your face. Veneers are tailor-made porcelain covers that are fitted over teeth and last up to 15 years. The front of the tooth is first filed down and the veneer is glued over the top. Do not overestimate how different these can make you look, but the price is high.

Crowns are the traditional way of repairing problem teeth, and are needed if teeth are more seriously misshapen. The tooth is ground down to a peg and a replica fitted over the top. More modern methods mean crowns no longer have that telltale shadow around the gum and will last longer too (up to 20 years).