SAVE YOUR SMILE

Beat the passage of time with these clever tweaks to your toothcare routine

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From discolouration to receding gums, your smile can add years to your face. And with shelves full of fancy flossing gadgets, whitening kits and multiformula toothpastes, toothcare can sometimes feel like a bit of a minefield. The good news? There are plenty of simple ways to keep your mouth looking and feeling youthful. Here’s what our oral health experts recommend…

PRIORITISE CHECK-UPS

A regular check-up and clean will help keep those pearly whites gleaming. With 48 per cent of Aussies aged 15 and over admitting they’ve waited more than 12 months to see

their dentist, consider this a timely reminder to book in your next appointment. Schedule a check-up every six months and get cleans from a hygienist to avoid any problems occurring later on.

BE TOOTHPASTE SAVVY

Not all toothpastes are equal, says dentist Dr Abdul Azizi. He suggests looking out for the following tooth-boosting ingredients:

• Fluoride for strengthening enamel and preventing cavities

• Silica/hydroxyapatite – this mild abrasive helps remove pesky surface stains without damaging enamel