If you have ever suffered from a painful toothache, or had a cavity, you know how important it is to care for your teeth. There is more to proper dental care than just brushing and flossing, though. To really take good care of your teeth, you need to use the following advice.

Prevention is the key to avoiding expensive dental work. Most dental problems are completely avoidable when you take preventative measures. Some important preventative measures are brushing your teeth twice daily, flossing daily, and seeing the dentist for a teeth cleaning once yearly. Avoiding sugary drinks like Kool-Aid and soft drinks will also help.




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Eat what are known as detergent foods. These are foods that naturally clean your mouth as you eat them. Apples are the most famous example. Other choices include raw carrots, celery and popcorn. Ending a meal with a detergent food is a great way for your mouth to end the eating cleaner.

You brush your hair and your teeth, but did you know that brushing your tongue is just as important? Brushing your tongue is as vital to maintaining your oral health as brushing your teeth. There are many kinds of bacteria that reside on your tongue. This can contribute to bad breath and tooth decay.

Brush your teeth for at least two minutes. If you don't spend enough time brushing, you will not get your teeth clean. You need a full two minutes to brush the front, back, and top of your teeth. You should also brush your gums. Be gentle when brushing your gums.

A good dentist can help protect your beautiful smile. When searching for a dentist, there are several good resources available to help you. Ask your primary-care doctor for a referral to a good dentist in your area. You may also want to ask your insurance carrier for recommendations of a dentist.

If you have missing teeth, you may be thinking about dentures. Permanent constructions, however, are a much better choice as dentures only have about one-fifth of the strength of regular teeth. Permanent options such as bridges will keep your teeth strong and allow you to live a more comfortable life.

When looking for a new toothpaste, pay close attention the the ingredients. Any toothpaste you choose should contain fluoride. There may also be ingredients aimed toward helping you achieve a whiter smile, but these may harm your teeth and gums. Buy toothpaste with less abrasives if your current toothpaste hurts your gums.

If you are searching for a new dentist, you should read the reviews online that others have posted. Being a dentist requires a lot of care. Many people are afraid of the dentist, so if you can read some reviews of what others thought about the dentist before you make an appointment, it will help put your mind at ease.

See your dentist for a checkup twice each year. These dental cleanings are vital. During the appointment your teeth are cleaned and checked for any cavities, gingivitis or any other issues that needs attention. Some dental problems are easy to treat if detected early, but neglecting them may result in more invasive procedures.

Try to remember to drink water every time you get thirsty instead of reaching for a soda. The more often you choose water over soda, the more often you are deciding to protect your enamel instead of wear it down. This also applies to other sugary beverages like sweetened teas and fruit juices.

Make dental hygiene a priority. You should be sure to brush your teeth at least twice each and every day. That helps to get rid of debris that ends up on teeth after eating. It also gets rid of bacteria on your teeth.

If you hate flossing, consider using an interdental cleaner instead of floss string. These cleaners look like plastic picks or sticks, and they are much easier to handle than string. Plus, you can use the non-floss side as a basic dental pick for reaching hard to reach corners. They may cost a little more than floss, but they're worth it!

If you find that your mouth and lips are dry a lot, tell your dentist about it. If you are taking medications, they may be the cause. Your dentist will be able to tell you whether your medications are causing your dry mouth, and can help you determine how you can treat it.

If you suspect something is wrong with your teeth, take care of it immediately. Dental problems can be major ones. Some can even be life threatening. Be sure to take your dental health seriously. Don't avoid the dentist. If something is clearly wrong, make an appointment as soon as you are able.

Keep an eye on how clean your toothbrush is. Throw it out or change the head on an electric one about every two to three months. After using a brush a while, the brush will collect bacteria and food, and some will get stuck deep within the bristles. If you don't change it out, you are just transferring all of that back onto your teeth.

Think about adding a little baking soda to your toothpaste. Baking soda naturally whitens teeth. It is abrasive and scrubs surface stains off your teeth. Don't over do it because too much can scrub away tooth enamel.

Teach your child to brush by modeling proper brushing yourself. Suggested Browsing , stand in front of the mirror together and have him imitate the way you brush. By his observing you, your child will learn the proper brushing techniques. The same method can be applied to flossing as you model for him how to floss properly.


Be sure that you replace your toothbrush on a regular basis. Some dentists recommend doing so every six months, while others will tell you to do it more frequently. Ask your dentist what they advise, or you could do it more often. The key is to be sure that the brush is in good working order so that you are getting your teeth clean.

Now you see all the dental problems that can be avoided when you have good dental care habits. Hopefully this article has given you many helpful tips that make it simple for you to continue practicing good dental habits. Read the tips again if you would like to make sure you're doing everything right.