(NC)—What do you do when a healthy smile needs more than basic brushing? Dr. Jordan Appel, a Toronto-based dentist, answers some of the most pressing questions.

(NC)—Would you tell your boss she has something stuck in her teeth? Or tell a pal her garlic-laden lunch is lingering? As polite Canadians, “sorry” and “excuse me” may be part of our national lexicon, but when it comes to addressing sensitive situations of dental decorum, we're often at a loss for words. Pointing out a 'dental disaster' such as situational bad breath, or having food stuck in the teeth may be uncomfortable, but according to etiquette experts Ceri Marsh and Kim Izzo, co-authors of The Fabulous Girls Guide to Decorum, it doesn't have to be. “Knowing if you should speak up can be determined by putting yourself in the other person's shoes,” says Marsh. “Would you want to know, and how would you like to receive this information?”

(NC)—Bread plate on the left. Water glass on the right. When it comes to table manners – we can hold our own. But when it comes to the sensitive situations of dental decorum, most of us are out of our league. According to etiquette experts Kim Izzo and Ceri Marsh, international best-selling authors the Fabulous Girl's Guide to Decorum, good oral hygiene is synonymous with good decorum. The manners mavens offer their top tips on how to manage a dental disaster: