Friday is World Smile Day so brush up your pegs, slap on a grin and dazzle everyone with your pearly gnashers. These products, approved by the British Dental Health Foundation and recommended by dentists and hygienists, will help to keep your breath fresh and your teeth and gums in perfect health.

ORAL-B TRIUMPH + Smartguide, £89.99

It’s not just kids that have trouble keeping the brush going for two minutes. This electric toothbrush comes with a digital timer. Not only can you time yourself, but the digital display will let you know when you’re pressing too hard and when you’ve lingered too long in one area, which can lead to receding gums. The brush head is the latest technology too, with four settings, from cleaning to massage and soft to polishing; you’ll be lucky if you ever make it in to work.

GUM SOFTPICKS, £5.75

Traditional metal and fibre interdental sticks are difficult to clean and they age quickly, with stray fibres slipping uncomfortably under the gum line. These rubber and plastic interdental soft picks are easier to keep hygienic, stimulate the gum to fight gingivitis and have a tapered design to make sure that even the smallest gaps can be accessed. They also come with a handy travel case.

DENTEK NIGHTGUARD, £19.95

Clenching and grinding your teeth at night, known as bruxism, can be responsible for a whole host of problems, from headaches and neck pain to tense muscles and excessive wear on the teeth, leading to sensitivity. Protect your teeth with this easy-to-use, lightweight mouthguard. It moulds to your teeth for a comfortable fit and is an affordable alternative to a dentist-made guard, which could cost more than £200.

BUBBLE UP BRUSHING TIMER, 80p

Two minutes can seem an awfully long time when you could be stuffing Lego up your nose or using a hammer to find out what the inside of Daddy’s watch is made of. So, if your brush-shy kids won’t stand still long enough to get their molars clean, use this simple bubble timer, to keep them scrubbing for longer. The quirky optical illusion makes it look as if the sand is floating upwards.

DR DENTI FIRST AID KIT, £14.95

An essential piece of gear for holiday repairs, especially if you’re planning a backpacking trip or heading off to remote regions. This dental first aid kit allows you to temporarily fill lost fillings, fix loose caps and broken teeth until you can get to the dentist. It also comes with a mirror, mouthwash tablets and clove gel for easing toothache.

SENSODYNE PRONAMEL TOOTHPASTE, £3.55

If you’re a healthy fruit tea guzzler or you like nothing more than a slug of balsamic on your tuna niçoise, your teeth could suffer. Acidic foods weaken the enamel on the tooth’s surface causing it to erode and wear away more easily. Keep your gnashers in tiptop condition with this clever toothpaste, designed to reharden the enamel and protect your teeth from sensitivity.

SENSODYNE EXPANDING FLOSS, £2.79

Removing plaque from the nooks and crannies is essential to good oral hygiene and fresh breath. This expanding floss is texturised to catch hold of food debris and it expands as you use it to fill the gaps, ensuring that you don’t miss a spot. It also contains fluoride.

All products, except DenTek NightGuard, are available from dentalshop.co.uk ; phone 08707 201888, the online shop for the British Dental Health Foundation and chemists nationwide. DenTek NightGuard is exclusive to Boots. If you’re concerned about which products are best for you, call the Dental Helpline consumer advice service, on 0845 0631188, 9am-5pm Mon-Fri, or visit dentalhelpline.org.uk .

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