If you want to look young and healthy, there's a part of your anatomy that you should give some serious attention to: your teeth! Bright white teeth are closely associated with youth and health. The longer you can keep them healthy, the longer they'll not only take care of you, but they'll keep you looking good at the same time.

While plastic surgery is beyond the average person's reach, taking care of your teeth and gum is certainly affordable by practically everyone. With a little daily discipline, everyone can keep their beautiful teeth for a very long time.

The front line of defense against plaque, tooth decay, and gum disease is brushing and flossing. Ideally, you should brush your teeth after every meal, even snacks. And flossing should follow immediately after you brush. Of course, brushing and flossing after every meal isn't realistic for most people!

You should choose a soft bristled toothbrush. Hard bristles can damage your gum, and you certainly don't want that. It's believed that an everyday toothbrush will remove up to 40% plaque. If you'd like to remove more than that, you'll have to purchase what is called a rotating toothbrush, or a spinning toothbrush.

Rotating toothbrushes vary in price - anywhere from $5 to $325. Which is best for you? That's a decision you'll have to make. But if you make the decision to use a spin toothbrush, you'll be happy to know that these toothbrushes can reportedly remove up to 90% plaque.

Every toothbrush's companion is a tube of toothpaste. There are many varieties of toothpastes currently available. You should definitely choose toothpaste that contains fluoride, which is believed to strengthen the surface enamel on your teeth. Outside of fluoride, you should try to find toothpaste that contains an antibacterial ingredient called Triclosan. In addition to fluoride and Triclosan, you can choose between whitening, plaque prevention, and even fresher breath toothpastes.

Whether you use a traditional toothbrush or one of the fancy new spin models, you need to know that your toothbrush is a breeding ground for bacteria. You should rinse your toothbrush for least thirty seconds every time after you use it. This will help clean off your toothbrush and keep the bacteria to a minimum. Another tip: never store your toothbrush in a drawer or otherwise dark enclosure because that's also a breeding ground for bacteria. Your toothbrush should be allowed to air dry after every use. It goes without saying that you should never share your toothbrush with another person! One last brushing tip: you should also brush your tongue at the same time you're brushing your teeth!

After your meals, you can use a dental pick to help remove bits and pieces of food from between your teeth and gum. If you don't know what they are, dental picks are small, pointy pieces of plastic (or wood) that are designed specifically for removing food debris from your mouth.

By using the above listed tools along with a little daily discipline, you can keep your teeth and gum healthy for a very long time!