Content written by-Castro Kvist

Good oral hygiene is important for good general health. We learn more and more every day about the negative affects poor dental care can have on every aspect of overall health and well being. For this reason, it is very important that you not only visit your dentist regularly, but also learn to take excellent care of your own teeth. In this article, we will discuss some good oral hygiene practices.

Brush your teeth daily. Food and bad bacteria can settle on and in between teeth causing odor and dental issues, so brushing them helps to keep them clean. Brush them at least twice per day using a toothpaste that contains fluoride. The best times to brush your teeth are after every meal you eat and prior to bed.

Don't put off going to the dentist. If you wait until your teeth are bothering you to go, you may have a lot of cavities or other serious dental problems that could have been prevented with routine maintenance. You should visit your dentist at least once every six months for routine checkups.

As you floss, focus on just one tooth before turning your attention to the next one. Work the floss down to your gum line and then carefully pull it back up to get rid of any plaque that has accumulated. In a back-and-forth motion, rub the floss so that it cleans the tooth well.

Choose some waxed floss if you are having a hard time with flossing. This type of floss is easier to hold. You could also get a floss-holder to help you clean your teeth efficiently or replace floss with a dental pick to clean between your teeth. You will still have to use floss to remove the plaque from your teeth.

Your dental care is important even if you have dentures. Brush your dentures like how you'd brush teeth. additional reading must be cleaned by brushing or using a tongue scraper. This will prevent bad breath.





Strengthen your existing enamel with the foods that you eat. what can i eat after tooth extraction and the mineral calcium, in particular, all help out with this. Foods that are good to accomplish this with include nuts, meats and dairy choices. Avoid sugary foods, soft drinks and sweetened teas, as these will do immediate damage to your enamel.

You can introduce electric toothbrushes to your children starting at the age of three. You should always supervise your children's toothbrushing activities while using these brushes and make sure that your child understands that an electric toothbrush is not a toy and should only be used in his or her mouth.

If your teeth decay rapidly, look at nutritional deficiencies. If you are vitamin deficient, your teeth can begin to fall apart. See your doctor regularly, so hopefully they can diagnose any problems that might be contributing to poor dental health.

When looking for a toothpaste, you need to decide on one that contains fluoride. Fluoride strengthens your teeth and prevents cavities. In the end, stronger teeth are in fact healthier teeth, aren't they?

Consider using a toothbrush with soft bristles. Your gums are very sensitive. Medium and hard bristles can damage them more than you know. Try switching to a toothbrush with soft bristles to protect them. You should especially consider switching if you already have any trouble with gum pain or bleeding.

When you struggle with your breath, consider avoiding eating garlic and onions. If you can't cut them from your diet, brushing your teeth and tongue after meals can help. Also use mouthwash and even gargle with it to clean out all the remnants left over from your meal, keeping your breath fresh.

Consider oral irrigators. They do help out tremendously in oral hygiene, when used properly. They don't replace brushing, though. Also remember they will not remove plaque. If not used correctly, oral irrigators will force bacteria into your gums and could cause problems.

When you want whiter teeth, talk to your dentist. They'll be able to offer you a service which works quickly, and then they can give you a plan which will ensure your teeth don't go back to their butter-yellow days. You should also avoid drinking coffee and red wine, of course.

When you are choosing a toothbrush, you should ensure that you are choosing one that will be soft enough for you. Your toothbrush should be stiff enough to help you remove any plaque, but it should also be soft enough so that your gums will not hurt. If your gums tend to be painful after brushing, try using a softer brush.

Do not forget to floss before brushing to remove food particles that may be trapped between the teeth. If you have a hard time with regular dental floss, try a package of the handy dental picks that have floss built in. These little devices make it easier to reach awkward spaces in the back of your mouth.

Baking soda is a great replacement for toothpaste. Use plain baking soda at least a time or two each week and see the results. Baking soda is known to scrub away stains, kill bacteria and balances the PH level of your mouth. It works well on acid-based stains like tomatoes, red wine and tobacco.

To help ensure that you are properly cleaning your teeth change your toothbrush every three months. Many of today's toothbrushes come with colored bristles that fade over time. This convenient feature is used to help you know when it is time to change your toothbrush. If you notice your bristles are not changing colors within three months, it is still important to go ahead and change your toothbrush.

Ask your dentist if you need fluoride supplements. Some cities and towns do not have fluoride in their water supply, and if you don't know whether you do, your dentist should be able to tell you whether you need those supplements. You may not need them, so be sure to ask your dentist first.

Clearly, there is a great deal you can do to maintain your own excellent dental health. When you take the time to choose your dental hygiene products with care and use them properly it will go a long way toward helping you maintain your overall health. Remember to brush twice a day, floss daily and see your dentist at least once a year for great dental health.