Written by-Tobin Lodberg

Caring for your teeth is of vital importance to your general health. However, too many people neglect proper dental hygiene and end up with painful and expensive problems with their teeth. If you need to take better care of your teeth, the following advice can help you maintain a healthier mouth.

Eat as many citrus fruits as possible to keep your teeth healthy. Vitamin C helps your teeth stay strong, so you are less likely to have tooth decay if you eat plenty of oranges, lemons limes and other citrus fruits each day. However, sucking oranges or lemons can put your teeth in contact with acid that contributes to decay.

Be sure to use plenty of dental floss when flossing. Try to get about 20 inches out so that you can clean out your whole mouth. Take your two center fingers, and wrap the floss around them. It takes about an inch of dental floss in order to properly clean each tooth.





Brush your teeth twice a day to prevent tooth decay. When you brush, make sure to massage the gums with your toothbrush and to keep brushing for at least two minutes. Dentists recommend two minutes as a minimum amount of time to brush if you want health teeth and gums.

Eat a lot of dairy. Include milk, cheese and yogurt in your diet. If you suffer from an intolerance of lactose, try taking calcium supplements. Your teeth will soon become whiter and stronger.

If sparkling white teeth from a toothpaste sounds too good to be true, that's because it is. While non-prescription whitening pastes and rinses may remove light stains on the surface of teeth, they will not produce the best possible results. Only your dentist can help you to achieve these results, often with bleach.

Strengthen your existing enamel with the foods that you eat. Certain vitamins 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.

Talk to your dentist immediately about any changes you notice in your mouth. Be it sudden increased sensitivity to cold, a dull ache or an odd spot that won't go away on its own, your dentist knows the difference between a simple issue with teeth and major underlying health issues. Call right away to report any such problems.

If you are unable to afford dental care, see if your dentist will make a payment plan. The majority of dentists allow payments to be made in installments, via a finance company or through their own office directly. That makes dental work cheaper, and you will not have to wait to get the work done.

If you have diabetes, it is essential that you practice good dental hygiene. Diabetics have a higher risk of periodontal disease. Other dental issues are also more common in diabetics. Good dental hygiene can help you common dental problems like cavities, gum disease, and thrush. Regular check-ups are also recommended.

When it comes to choosing a toothpaste, there are literally dozens of choices you have at the store. No matter what sort of toothpaste you choose, the important thing is that it contain fluoride. Fluoride is an important chemical in keeping your teeth clean and healthy so make sure you use it.

Many people with bad breath are missing one important part of their oral hygiene process - brushing their tongue! In fact, just by brushing their tongue, people find that they quickly fix their problem and end up with fresh, clean breath in no time, so give it a try yourself!

If you suffer from jaw pain and headaches, you may be grinding your teeth in your sleep. If you think you might be grinding your teeth, talk with your dentist. He may be able to offer you a bite guard. A bite guard is made of soft plastic that is custom fitted for your mouth.

Consider sealants for young children. Most of their decay is in the grooves on the biting surfaces of their back teeth. These pits are deep and are hard to reach with just basic brushing. Cavity-causing bacteria likes to hide deep within these areas. Sealants can fill in the tissues of their teeth and make their brushing more effective.

Eat an apple everyday. professional dental whitening has been around forever, leaving some to believe that it is just an old myth, but it is not. Apples are full of vitamins that are good for your teeth and also make your teeth stronger because eating an apple is like a workout for your teeth.

Floss your teeth often. You know you need to brush a couple times a day, but did you know flossing is just as important? You should always floss after meals, and along with your tooth-brushing routine. Keep floss in your car, desk, or purse so you always have it on hand.

Regularly replace your toothbrush when it gets worn out. Using veneers damage teeth worn-out toothbrush can redistribute old bacteria back in your mouth. It can also harm gums and teeth since its bristles are harder and spread out. It is recommended that you replace your toothbrush every three to four months.

Fluoride supplements are a great option if you need to strengthen your teeth. Most individuals get enough fluoride by drinking mineral water and adopting a healthy diet but keep in mind that unhealthy teeth are often caused by a fluoride deficiency. Talk to your dentist if you do not know what kind of supplements you should take.

Don't forget to clean your tongue too. There can be a lot of plaque on that tongue, making it a major cause of bad breath. Brushing it at the same time as your teeth is the way to go. Spend 20 to 30 seconds brushing back and forth on your tongue.

If you cannot brush your teeth after a meal, pop in a piece of gum. The chewing motion needed to chew gum increases your natural saliva. Saliva helps to rinse food particles from your mouth. When choosing a chewing gum, opt for one that is sugar-free for best results.

If you don't care for your teeth, you can cause yourself a lot of problems. When you learn about how to care for your teeth, you can take control. By heeding the advice found above, you will never have to worry.