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The foods that you eat come in contact with the germs and bacteria that live in the mouth. If you don’t brush, plaque will accumulate on the teeth. Plague thrives on the starches and sugars that are found in a great deal of foods. When plaque combines with the sugars and starches, an acid is produced that attacks enamel on the teeth, and eventually causes decay. According to the American Dental Association, the acid attacks the teeth for 20 minutes or more.

The first step to healthy teeth and gums is regular brushing. It is recommended that you brush at least twice a day, but brushing after every meal is even better. Choose a soft bristled toothbrush, use a pea-sized dollop of toothpaste, and brush every tooth in a circular motion. It is important to brush the entire surface of the teeth up to and including the gum line, and to brush the front and back of the teeth. It is equally important to use gentle brush strokes; do not press the toothbrush between the teeth to flatten the bristles, which can lead to the wearing down of tooth enamel.

Once the teeth are cleaned, the next step in having healthy teeth and gums is to clean the tongue. Once again, the toothbrush can be gently brushed across the surface of the tongue, or a tongue scraper may be used. This will help to rid the tongue of bad-breath causing bacteria.

It is necessary to floss once a day for healthy teeth and gums, as floss helps remove plaque from between teeth that the toothbrush may not be able to reach. Floss in between teeth, being careful not to injure the gums and cause bleeding. Be sure to run the floss up and down the side of each tooth, and gently up into the gum line. Be sure you have taken enough floss from the dispenser to use clean floss as needed, as you go along the teeth. After brushing and flossing, some people choose to use a mouthwash rinse, which may or may not contain fluoride.

Visit your dentist and oral hygienist every 6 – 8 months. Floss daily – it can add years to your life.Brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day to remove plaque. Use a soft toothbrush and gentle circular movements to brush your teeth. Don’t brush vigorously along the gum line as you can damage your gums and wear away the tooth surface making your teeth sensitive to touch, hot and cold temperatures and sugary foods. To reduce sensitivity, use toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth.Use an electric or battery operated toothbrush to remove plaque and prevent damage to gums and teeth from poor brushing techniques. Replace your toothbrush every three months.

Avoid soda and soft drinks as these can lead to tooth decay – rather drink water or tea. Dilute fruit juice with water, especially for children.Chew gum recommended by dentists when you are unable to brush your teeth.Use a mouthwash to protect against the gum disease gingivitis, to prevent plaque and to freshen breath. You can also rinse your mouth out with salt dissolved in warm water.Brush or scrape your tongue to help freshen breath. Don’t smoke – you can stain your teeth.

Teeth have the onerous task of several times daily, for as long as you live, grinding down food for swallowing and assisting digestion. As you know this important task fuels your body. Like any important tool that gets a lot of wear, their is regular care and upkeep needed if you want that tool to keep performing its job.

In addition, there are very effective tools available that can make oral care and healthy teeth a breeze, not to mention delivering a mouth that looks as good as it feels. The electric toothbrush, and other power oral devices have come a long way with their high tech oscillating, pulsating, sonic, microprocessor assisted advancements.

Dealing with bad breath is often presented with humor in television commercials, but in reality this dilemma is anything but funny for those who have it. Click on the following for more on the causes of bad breath, how to get rid of bad breath, and one dentist’s proven success eliminating bad breath for his patients.