We all want a set of beautiful pearly whites, don't we? But a white smile goes well beyond appearances; strong, healthy teeth are important for your overall health.

For sparkling white teeth, in addition to proper oral hygiene, avoid foods that can stain. The general rule of thumb is if it can stain a white t-shirt, it can stain your teeth. Coffee, red wine, and tea are common culprits.

But there are plenty of foods you can add to your diet to improve the health of your teeth. And -- bonus! -- the foods that are good for your teeth are good for your general health as well. Check out the gallery for a summary of the foods mentioned in the video.

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Lately, everybody seems to be on a quest for the perfect smile. And at-home whitening procedures are a big part of that -- in fact, it's a multi-billion dollar industry. But here's a fact that you might not know: at-home teeth whitening is not a regulated industry. Why? Because the ADA feels that teeth whitening is something that should only been done after a consultation with a dental professional. But how may people have consulted their dentist before picking up a pack of Whitestrips? My guess is not many.

So it's important to consider what you're getting yourself into when you embark on a teeth-whitening program. It's also important to consider the risks and side effects.

WebMD has a great, in-depth article on teeth whitening and it's safety. The low down?

• Kids under 16 and women who are pregnant shouldn't whiten at home.
  
• Neither should those with tooth sensitivity or any sort of gum or enamel problems.
  
• Cavities need to be treated by the dentist before being whitened.
  
• If you notice increased tooth sensitivity or a change in the colour of your gums, stop whitening and see your dentist immediately

But there's more. Read the full article.

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Straight white teeth: a universal sign of beauty and good health. And thankfully both can be come by fairly easily if you aren't lucky enough to have them naturally, or if you've ruined them somehow in the process of living (smokers!). Of course you'll have to see your dentist to straighten out crooked teeth, and although you can go there for whitening too there are fairly effective ways to do it yourself at home. From cheap to expensive there quite a few options out there, like whitening toothpaste, whitening strips, and whitening gels -- and then of course the professional options available in the spa or dental office. What works for you? eDiets gives their opinions here, share yours in the comments!

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If you don't think that people want a bright cheery smile, then do a quick google search on your computer with the phrase "Teeth Whitening" and you will find almost 3 million website to visit. Teeth whitening is the number one requested dental cosmetic service these days and not just in the dentist's office. Americans spend more than a billion dollars on over-the-counter teeth-whitening products annually.

Factors to consider before bleaching or whitening your teeth are age, gum disease, and sensitivity. Teeth whitening is also not recommended in pregnant or lactating women. Some more important factors to know is that teeth whitening is not suitable for all types of teeth and you can over do it. Whitening will not help people with tetracycline staining stains and darkness in their teeth. If you have fillings in the front teeth the fillings will not change but the teeth will leaving you with patchy looking teeth. There have been cases where people have turned their teeth blue because they've gone past the point of using it regularly and they're using it way too much. It is important to follow the instructions on the packaging. With so many products on the market how do you choose what works best for you. You can always ask your friendly pharmacist and research which products are backed by the American Dental Association.

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Having whiter teeth can brighten your whole appearance, making you look younger and more attractive almost instantly. And whether you have it done professionally at the dentist's office, or use a do-it-yourself kit at home, it's a pretty basic process.

All teeth whiteners do their whitening with peroxide, and they only differ in how the peroxide is delivered and how strong the peroxide concentration is. You'll get a much stronger and more effective treatment at the dentist, but it'll cost a lot more too. And if you have dull teeth you should know that smoking and coffee-drinking aren't the only culprits -- things like blueberries, red wine, and even tomato sauce can cause discoloration. Also, you won't get the effect you want if you have gum disease so don't even bother (unless you're going for a two-tone look).

Whitening your teeth is really just a cleaning process that has surprisingly few side-effects, so if you're looking to give your looks a boost it might be something to consider. Just make sure you don't overdo it and end up with a glow-in-the-dark/Cheshire cat smile!

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