Can't get to your toothbrush? Try sipping a cup of green tea instead.

Research shows that drinking green tea may be a good way to impress your dentist. In a study, the more green tea men drank, the better their gums fared during dental exams.

Green for Great Gums
You know that part of the dental exam when your dentist pokes and prods your gums to see how healthy they are? The study showed not only did frequent green tea drinkers have better results during the exam, but also their gums bled less. Here's a bonus reason to drink green tea: better tooth enamel.

Polish Your Pearlies
Researchers think it's the catechins in green tea that somehow prevent cavity-producing plaque from forming, which in turn protects teeth and gums. Catechins may also help reduce gum inflammation. Find out about the link between gum inflammation and heart disease.

Here are three other tasty treats that can help keep your teeth pretty-as-a-picture perfect:

• Chew gum. Just be sure to choose this type.
• Eat dates. Find out how nature's sweet treat is sweet for teeth, too.
• Munch fruit and veggies. Save money on teeth-whitening products by eating these stain-fighting foods.