1  To make yellowish teeth instantly look whiter, use a lipstick with a bit of blue in it.

2  If teeth are gray, try a warm tone of lipstick like a coral or rose.

3  Check out the latest at-home bleaching kits available from your dentist. Some require only an hour of wear a day for a couple of weeks

4  For more stubborn stains, including the type sometimes caused by taking tetracycline, ask your dentist about "power bleaching."

5  Don't assume you have to tolerate those smile-dimming metal fillings. New and improved ceramic materials are almost invisible.

6  A straw isn't just for slurping watered-down diet soda from the bottom of a paper cup. It can keep stain-causing liquids from touching your teeth.

7  Cracked, peeling lips accentuate stains and prominent gums and make your mouth look older. Exfoliate regularly with a washcloth, toothbrush, or the Body Shop's Lipscuff.

8  De-emphasize a gummy smile with a neutral lipstick just a shade darker than your mouth.

9  Fix prominent gums permanently by having a periodontist sculpt them (usually the gum line is adjusted) so your teeth look longer.

10  Don't let stress wear down your smile. About 25 percent of people grind their teeth. Consult your dentist, who can fit you with a mouth guard.

11   Let a computer show you how you'd look with straighter, shapelier teeth. Many dentists now offer custom smile design at no cost.

12  Keeping stains at bay is even simpler when you drink coffee or hot tea: Just add milk.

13  1f your front teeth are slightly crowded or your incisors would do Dracula proud, the solution may be as simple as having your dentist file away a bit of enamel.

14  A gap that's more Alfred E. Newman than Lauren Hutton can often be fixed with bonding.

15  Check out high-tech braces. The newest materials, clear acrylic and tooth colored ceramic, make them nearly invisible.

16  There's an even newer, faster way to straighten your smile: Veneer it.

17  If your gums are seriously eroded, it's easier, quicker, and less painful than ever to cover exposed roots so teeth are prettier and healthier.

18  Don't assume a new smile is beyond your budget. Taking a cue from plastic surgeons, many dentists now offer installment plans or arrange "smile loans."

19  In addition to your regular brushing and flossing, drink lots of water. H20 stimulates the production of saliva, your mouth's first defense against plaque.

20  Forgot your toothbrush? Chomp an apple, a stick of celery, or a carrot. Crunchy foods get mouth juices flowing, so they're great natural cleansers.

21  Pay extra attention to your gums if you're pregnant. Hormonal changes may predispose mothers-to-be to early-stage gum disease.

22  Ditto if osteoporosis or diabetes runs in your family. New research suggests people with either ailment have a high rate of severe gum disease.

23  CIean your tongue. It's the best way of beating odor-producing bacteria that collect there (more than 200 kinds). Use a toothbrush or a plastic scraper.

This article was written by Madeline Johnson, March 1999, Health magazine.