Tools for a terrific smile: the right brush and paste will keep your teeth and gums in great shape - bodycare

BRUSHING AFTER EVERY MEAL IS THE SUREST WAY TO healthier teeth, fewer enamel stains, and better breath. But which tools should you use? We surveyed the Natural Health staff to see which toothpastes and brushes have earned the most fans. Here are our results:

Toothpastes We Really Like

1. Peelu This toothpaste contains a vegetable fiber called peelu that cleans and polishes teeth. The texture is gritty and takes some getting used to, but the paste does deliver a fresh mouth ($4.19 for 3 ounces; 800-457-3358).

2. Tom's of Maine Natural Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth Those of us with receding gumlines favor this paste. Unlike conventional pastes for sensitive teeth, it uses a potassium nitrate from natural sources as its active ingredient ($4.29 for 3-5 ounces; 800-775-2388, www.tomsofmaine.com).

3. Desert Essence Natural Tea Tree Oil Toothpaste Several of us swear by tea tree, an antiseptic herb, and look for it in all our bodycare products, including toothpaste ($4.49 for 3 ounces; 800-645-5768; www.desertessence.com).

4. Nature's Gate Cool Mint Gel Natural Toothpaste This paste contains goldenseal, an astringent herb recommended by holistic dentists to promote healthy gums ($4.65 for 5 ounces; 800-327-2012; www.levlad.com).

5. Eco-Dent DailyCare Those of us who prefer powder over paste use DailyCare, which polishes our teeth with baking soda ($5.99 for 2 ounces; 888-326-3368).

Our Favorite Toothbrushes

A. Terradent Replaceable Head System The head pops out of this handle so you can replace a worn head without buying a new brush ($3.99 for one handle and two heads; 888-326-3368).

B. Preserve The handle is made from recycled Stonyfield Farm yogurt cups. You can send your used brush back to the company to be recycled again ($2.99; 888-354-7296; www.recycline.com).

C. Fuchs Record V Natural Bristle The bristles on this toothbrush are made from boar's hair, so they're gentler than plastic bristles ($1.60; 800-643-4221; www.internatural.com).

D. Radius Original The extra-large head massages your gums while you brush. The toothbrush comes in two versions: one for right-handed people, another for lefties ($7.95; 800-626-6223; www.radiustoothbrush.com).