Want a whiter, brighter, healthier smile? Dr. Nancy Rosen, a New York City dentist, says you don't need to spend a fortune on expensive products. She shared her tips on how to brighten your smile and keep your mouth healthy, all for less than $20.
Product: Oral-B Vitality Precision Clean
Price: $20
Product: Arm and Hammer Spin BrushPrice: $9
Electric toothbrushes are now very affordable. Products such as the Oral-B Vitality Precision Clean or the Arm and Hammer Spin Brush remove plaque better than regular brushes. They also decrease your chance for decay and gum and bone disease.
Additionally, many of the electric toothbrushes have timers on them to help you, and your children, brush for the recommended length of time.
Product: Listerine Agent Cool Blue Mouthwash
Price: $5
While electric toothbrushes help people brush properly, you still need to know where to brush. Listerine Cool Agent Blue Mouthwash stains any plaque on your teeth blue. Rosen said it is helpful for both children and adults because you can see the plaque.
Product: Colgate Wisps
Price: $2
Rosen recommends brushing after every meal, but she realizes that is often not possible. Instead, she recommended Colgate Wisps, on-the-go toothbrushes that can fit into a purse or pocket. Rosen said it is great for freshening up after a meal, and no water is needed: There is a ball on the toothbrush that releases liquid.
Product: Tongue Scrapers
Price: $1-$10
To help keep your breath fresh, Rosen recommended either brushing your tongue with a toothbrush or using a tongue scraper. Our tongues have bacteria on them, and if the tongue isn't cleaned, the bacteria can give off a smell.
Rosen said that mouthwash helps, but it won't eliminate the bacteria completely.
Product: Glide Floss
Price: $4
Flossing is one of the best things you can do to keep your mouth healthy. It helps freshen your breath and keep your gums healthy. Floss gets into the places in your mouth where your toothbrush can't, under your gum tissue. If you don't floss, Rosen said, your gum tissue could become irritated and inflamed.
Rosen also recommended a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables because they can help remove particles from your teeth. She said people should stay away from candy and sugary drinks that can increase your chance for decay and enamel wear.Click here to return to the "Good Morning America" Web site.