A simple smile has been shown to boost your mood and help communicate that you’re interested in a potential romantic partner. Good oral hygiene is an important part of having a healthy smile and can affect overall health, too. According to the Mayo Clinic, bacteria in the mouth can contribute to heart disease, clogged arteries and strokes.

Brushing your teeth and flossing might seem like a given, but according to a survey by Delta Dental, nearly 30 percent aren’t brushing enough. The health insurance company also found that while most brush twice daily, they’re not hitting the recommended two minutes a day.

Read: 5 Ways To Get Whiter Teeth In A Natural, Healthy Way

Unsurprisingly, Americans are also bad at flossing, with only one in four practicing this recently debated ritual every day. Last year, the dietary guidelines for Americans omitted flossing, and the American Academy of Periodontology admitted there just isn’t enough scientific support to prove that flossing is as important as dentists make it out to be, reports the New York Times.

This video from Health magazine offers six easy ways that you can make your smile brighter and healthier. First up is using a soft brush with round, nylon bristles. According to WebMD, using a soft toothbrush is the safest choice as you risk the chance of harming your gums, roots and enamel with anything else.

Health also advises to omit sugary drinks and soda, an obvious tip, but they also caution against relaxing with your favorite glass of wine. The acidity causes damage, and all types, red and white, can stain teeth, leaving your smile dull.

Read: Tooth Care Tips: The Best Dental Routine For Peak Oral Hygiene

Stress definitely takes a toll on your mental health, but it can also impact your smile, too. Typical anxiety-relieving habits like grinding and clenching can wear away enamel. The acidity in your morning coffee will also wreak havoc on your smile, and the magazine recommends adding milk to neutralize the acids, so you can still get that much-needed caffeine boost.

See Also:

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New Dental Treatment Eliminates The Need For Drilling In Certain Cavities​