Article by-Horn Dorsey

To have the healthiest teeth and brightest smile takes some effort and dedication. Your teeth are often the first thing people notice and give an indication of your overall health. White, straight teeth give the appearance of youth and vigor. Read these tips to keep your teeth in the best condition possible.

Get a tongue scraper and use it every morning. This will clean your tongue and help remove bacteria. Your tongue will feel better and your mouth will not smell so bad. A tongue scraper is more effective than brushing your tongue with your tooth brush, and takes less time too.

Believe it or not, saliva is actually your teeth's best friend! Natural saliva contains minerals, enamel-strengthening antibacterial properties and the power to neutralize acid. If you are a woman over the age of 50, menopause may be causing dry mouth, which, then leads to bad breath. Specially formulated dry mouth products can help to eliminate embarrassing odors caused by a lack of saliva.

It is important to replace your toothbrush every three months. Over time, the bristles on your toothbrush become worn and stop performing as well as they should. In addition, bacteria can build up on your toothbrush and become embedded in the bristles. Replacing your toothbrush frequently is a core component of a good dental care regimen.

If you are not sure which dentist to visit, talk to the people that you know. Chances are, if a family member or friend has had a good experience with a dentist, you will too. You can also speak with your doctor or check online to find possibilities that might be suitable.

Make sure that if you want to have good oral hygiene that you stay away from sugary drinks. You may not be aware that things like juices are very sugary and can do a lot of damage to teeth. If you're drinking any kind of sugary beverages, make sure to brush immediately afterwards.

What you eat matters as much to your dental health as how frequently you brush or floss or visit the dentist. Eating a lot of sugar-laden foods will leave your mouth full of rot and cavities. Try to reduce the amount of sugar you eat, and also the sugar in your drinks.

Get a dental checkup ahead of your six month appointment if you are going abroad for more than a week or two. It is good to have a professional look over your mouth and teeth and make sure that you are not going to have any surprise issues while overseas.





Make sure you're not suffering from dry mouth. Saliva is a natural defense against cavity causing bacteria as well as periodontal disease. Dental Hygienist suffer from dry mouth due to certain medication side effects and others due to more serious problems. There are a number of products available to help you keep saliva production going or help you replace the saliva altogether.

If you are moving from one dentist to another, bring your x-rays with you. X-rays provide valuable information about your teeth and dental history. They can help your new dentist to establish an effective treatment plan that works for you. Many dentists can even email x-rays, making it easy for you to transfer them from office to office.

Use mouthwash after you brush. Mouthwash contains anti-bacterial properties that help prevent the build-up of plaque. After you brush, swish a mouthful of mouthwash around your mouth to rinse your teeth and gums. You can also use mouthwash in the morning after you get up to eliminate your morning breath.

To avoid serious and possible permanent damage to your teeth, never use them for any activity other than chewing the food that you eat. You run the risk of chipping or cracking your teeth whenever you use your teeth to open a package, pull something that is stuck or crack open nutshells.

Educate your children early about proper dental care. They will benefit more from it if your start as early as possible. That will lead to better general health overall, too. Their dental bills will also be lower than those of others, too.

Your bad breath could be the symptom of gum disease. If brushing your tongue and using mouth wash is not enough to make your bad breath go away, you need to go to your dentist and have your gums inspected. The bacteria that develop in your gum could be responsible for your bad breath.

There are many common foods and drinks which cause your teeth to look stained. Wine, tea and coffee are common beverages which stain the teeth. Colas and gravies do as well. You do not have to avoid these foods and drinks, but you should remember to brush and floss as soon as possible after eating or drinking them.

You could have your outdated mercury fillings replaced. This substance can cause future health problems. There are safer materials on the market now that many dentists use for fillings. Talk to your dentist about what options you have for replacing your mercury fillings.

If you don't brush and floss regularly, you can develop periodontal disease. This is the main reason for adult tooth loss. It is caused by excess bacteria built up on the gums and teeth. This disease can progress so slowly you don't notice. Nip it in the bud with regular brushing and flossing.

Eat an apple for your smile. Apples are a good way to clean and whiten your teeth when you cannot get to a toothbrush. When you are eating rich foods, drinking red wine, or smoking, follow it up with an apple. You will need fewer cleanings at the dentist's office if you do.

Lightly brush your gums while brushing your teeth. Your gums are just as important as those choppers in your mouth. Poor care of your gums can lead to cavities, receding gums, and even gum disease. You can really boost your dental care by paying attention to your gums much more often. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ecKWMpvEdTON7p5exspDwenMu-47K3Q5MWaLF65d040/edit?usp=sharing along the gum line will help keep these issues at bay.

If you want pearly white teeth, avoid drinks that can stain your teeth such as black tea, red wine, coffee, dark juices and colas. If you need your cup of coffee or wine, make sure you brush your teeth immediately after drinking to minimize the stains. Also, use a bleaching agent whenever possible.

You can have a smile that makes you proud or makes you cringe. That's why you need to be sure that you put the tips in this article to use. That way, you can start caring for your teeth in a way that means you'll always have a smile on your face.