Want a Brighter, Shinier, Healthier Smile? We Thought So

"All you need to know to get those teeth sparkly ‘n’ white."

- By Erin Reimel

You go to the dentist every six months (ish) and brush twice a day (usually). But when it comes to keeping your pearly whites, well, pearly, things are a bit more involved than just checkups and scrubbing sessions. Like, do you really need to floss? And do the whitening tricks you see on TikTok *really* work? Here’s everything you need to know about getting healthier—and, yes, whiter—teeth.

Q: ISN'T BRUSHING BASI-CALLY JUST BRUSHING? LIKE, DO I NEED TO BE USING A CERTAIN TECHNIQUE?

A: The short answer? Yes, says Dr. Lawrence Fung, dentist and founder of Silicon Beach Dental in Los Angeles. “Always brush at a 45-degree angle so the bristles can get under the gums to sweep away plaque.” Brush for a total of two minutes: 30 seconds on each quadrant of your mouth (top left and right, then bottom left and right).

HOW DO I CHOOSE A TOOTHBRUSH? SO. MANY. OPTIONS!

Go for an electric toothbrush, says dental hygienist Jessica Morgan. “Two minutes of brushing with an electric toothbrush is more than you could do in a month with a regular brush.” (Try the Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush, $60, walmart.com.)

And regardless of whether your toothbrush is manual or electric, always opt for soft bristles (they’re gentler on your teeth and gums).

BRUSHING RIGHT AFTER A MEAL IS IDEAL, RIGHT?