Your teeth are one of the first things someone will notice when they first meet you. From the very first smile you flash someone, you’ll be giving them the impression of you that will last a long time. So how can you make your teeth appear better?

Here’s our tip for healthier, whiter teeth:

1. Lay off the red wine

Having a glass of red wine at the end of each day is a great way to relax and unwind. However, red wine is one of the biggest offenders for staining your pearly whites. There’s nothing worse than wine stained teeth, and not only will people notice but they’ll also associate it with drinking, which is not the message about yourself that you want to be sending people. By laying off the wine, you’ll reduce the stains and your smile will thank you for it.

2. Change your toothbrush more frequently

One of the best ways to keep your mouth healthy is to change your toothbrush every few months. It may sound gross, but your toothbrush is a haven for bacteria, and by using the same toothbrush month after month, all you’re doing is transferring the bacteria back to your teeth. An electric toothbrush with removable heads is your best choice for a toothbrush, but these can be costly, so it’s perfectly acceptable to buy a regular, cheaper toothbrush every couple of months.

3. Eat cleaning foods

This might sound weird, because usually you want to brush your teeth after you eat, but there are some foods that can actually clean your teeth while you eat them. This does lots of the hard work for you! Foods like apples, raw carrots and celery can help keep your teeth clean with little effort. This might surprise you, but so will popcorn! If you eat these foods last in your meal, you don’t have to be so vigilant with brushing your teeth straight after you eat. Neat, huh?

4. Use an at home whitening kit

People are so concerned about their teeth color that there are actually many whitening kits you can buy at your local supermarket or drugstore that will help you achieve the whiter shade you’re dying to have. There are many different kinds, but if you do your due diligence you’ll find the kit that will give you the best at home teeth whitening without you having to pay an arm and a leg at a cosmetic dentist. If you want to try something a little cheaper first, you can always brush your teeth with baking soda once a week to get yourself started.

5. Brush at least twice a day

At the very least, you should be brushing your teeth at least twice a day: once when you wake up in the morning and once before you go to bed at night. As you’re sleeping, your mouth dries and so you lose the protection of saliva. This means that plaque can form and lead to cavities. Brushing in the morning will also help you avoid the dreaded “morning breath.”

There are many ways to look after your teeth to ensure that your smile is the whitest it can be. By avoiding certain foods and drinks and choosing others instead, your oral health will increase and you will avoid stains and cavities. By following these five tips, you’ll build healthy habits to keep your teeth looking good for life.