5 ways to get a healthy, radiant smile: whether you're in search of whiter teeth or a prettier grin, these are the latest fixes for your most important assets

Shape, March, 2007 by Virginia Sole-Smith

RELATED ARTICLE: a brush-up course

New York dentist David Poiman, D.M.D., offers tips for finding a toothbrush that fits your needs:

PICK A TAPERED HEAD to easily clean small mouths and get to back teeth. We like Reach Inbetween ($4; at drugstores).

INVEST IN ELECTRIC to dislodge decay-causing bacteria. Our favorite: Sonicare Elite e9500 ($140; sonicare.com).

BRUSH AT A 45[degrees] ANGLE to get beneath the gums; try Supersmile 45[degrees] Toothbrush ($9; supersmile.com).

TRY A PULSATING BRUSH like Oral-B Pulsar ($6; at drugstores) with pivoting bristles to fit between tight teeth.

BAN BAD BREATH with Colgate 360[degrees] ($4; at drugstores), which has a tongue scraper on the back.

VIRGINIA SOLE-SMITH is a freelance writer and editor in New York.