Are your pearly whites starting to not look so pearly? If so, Dr. Shlafer recommends you start with these four “must-dos” to help your mouth look and feel fabulous.

Kick the habit. I’m sure you don’t need another person in your life to explain why you need to quit smoking. As you know, the nicotine and tar in cigarettes are not only turning you teeth an unsightly shade of yellow, but they are eating away at your gums. Smoking creates a ripe environment for bacteria and plaque on your teeth and along the gum line. The harm to your tissue will eventually increase your risk of tooth loss.

Pay a visit. If you are prone to ditching the dentist, it turns out that roughly 50% of adults in the United States  don’t see a dentist on a yearly basis because of  “dentist-phobia”, finances, or just plain neglect. Regular trips to the dentist can catch problems such as decay, gum disease, trauma, or cancer when they are in the early stages and solutions are more affordable.

Brush right. Is your brushing technique below par? Maybe you don’t brush often enough. It only takes 2-3 minutes to properly clean your teeth and gums.

Finesse flossing. Flossing is fundamental to keeping teeth and gums clean–but only if you do it right. Snapping and popping your way through the process probably does more harm than good, causing friction on tissue and damage at the gum-line. Make sure to keep the floss tight against your tooth to break up plaque while leaving your gums in good shape.