▲Can using coconut oil on your teeth replace toothpaste?

▲Though washing your mouth with coconut oil can bring some whitening benefits to your teeth, it's better not to dispense with toothpaste for good.

▲Rinsing your mouth out after brushing your teeth is important to get rid of all the bacteria you've just cleaned off. Mouthwash is not essential for this but it does leave your mouth feeling extra fresh!

▲According to MouthHealthy you should replace your toothbrush every three to four months.
Expert tip: try switching to compostable bamboo brushes.

▲Is this an indispensable part of your teeth-cleaning routine?

▲Every six months? More? Less?

▲Fluoride, baking soda, or whitening ones?

▲Will teeth turn yellow?

▲Some say you should brush after each meal while others just once a day. Which is correct?

▲A trip to the dentist should be made at least twice a year.

▲Lean proteins such as eggs, fish, meat, and poultry are great as they also help strengthen teeth, says MouthHealthy. Green vegetables, fish, and nuts are good options too as they contain lots of calcium.

▲We all know that candy and sugary foods cause tooth decay. So what can we eat?

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These tips should help keep your teeth sparkling. Say cheese!

Sources: (HuffPost) (MouthHealthy) (Oral Health Foundation) (Colgate) (BBC)

▲Once or twice a year?

▲MouthHealthy recommends that you should brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes.

▲Fluoride toothpastes are usually recommended as the mineral is proven to reduce tooth decay. Whitening toothpastes are good but baking soda ones can damage tooth enamel, says HuffPost.

▲According to HuffPost, it is. You should floss once a day to make sure you remove food residue left in-between teeth.

▲Is it really necessary?

▲Plenty of sources say no. A lot of bacteria gathers on the tongue, which can damage teeth and cause bad breath. Make sure to brush that all away!

▲Dairy products are great as they contain calcium that promote strong bones and teeth. The HuffPost also says eating cheese produces saliva, which neutralizes acid in the mouth.

▲Soft or hard? Electric or normal?

▲It's best to use a soft brush as it causes less damage. Make sure you don't brush too hard as this can cause gum recession. Electric toothbrushes help you brush more thoroughly and for longer periods of time, says HuffPost.

▲MouthHealthy states that you should hold your toothbrush at an angle of 45° to your teeth when brushing.

▲How should you hold your toothbrush? Do you brush in circles? Straight lines? Up and down?

▲HuffPost says you should brush in circles. Brushing from side to side breaks the thin, horizontal rods that make up the protective enamel of teeth.

▲If you are spitting up blood every time you brush your teeth, it could be a sign of gum disease or tooth cavities. It's best to get this checked out by a dentist!

▲Is this serious?

▲Drinking water throughout the day generally helps prevent the buildup of bacteria and food residue. Tap water, which naturally contains fluoride, also helps stop tooth decay.

▲Surely after, right?

▲It doesn't matter if you brush before or after breakfast, but it is recommended to wait an hour if you choose to brush afterwards. This is because acidic foods can soften the enamel so it's more liable to damage if brushed immediately after contact with these types of food.

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Yes, they will. The use of cigarettes is also bad for your teeth, says the Oral Health Foundation.

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Isn't cleaning our teeth enough?

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A new study suggests that the polyphenols present in red wine can stop the cultivation of harmful bacteria in our mouths, according to the BBC.

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These tips should help keep your teeth sparkling. Say cheese!

Sources: (HuffPost) (MouthHealthy) (Oral Health Foundation) (Colgate) (BBC)

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Sorry to the java lovers, but yes. Pigments from dark-colored drinks can get trapped in the ridges of tooth enamel. This means sodas too. They contain phosphorus, which depletes calcium levels in the body when consumed in excess. Though fruit juices are good for your health, drinking lots of citrus fruit juices that contain high levels of phosphoric and citric acid can cause dental erosion, says Colgate.

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Which liquids won't harm my pearly whites?

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Is a cup of coffee really that bad?

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Although we think we know what we're doing when it comes to brushing our teeth, there is a lot of conflicting information out there. It can often be difficult to separate expert advice from pseudoscientific conjecture.

With that in mind, check out the most commonly asked questions about oral hygiene, along with the right answers you need for excellent oral health! Click through the gallery to get started.