Article writer-Post Ayala

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.



After brushing your teeth, you should always remember to rinse your toothbrush out with water. When storing your brush, try to find a storage container that will allow your brush to stay upright and air dry. If you place your wet brush into a container with a lid, bacteria has an easier time to grow.

Practice flossing with your eyes closed shut. It can take days or even weeks to master this, and there is no real need to rush. The advantage is that once you master this, you can floss anytime and anywhere. Flossing could be something you can do without a mirror, on the road or in the office.

A visit to your dentist is a good idea if you regularly see blood after cleaning your teeth. Don't ignore the most common sign of gum disease -- bleeding, painful gums. Gum disease makes you more vulnerable to tooth loss, bone loss, diabetes and infections.

When flossing your teeth, don't worry about using too much. Try to get 20 inches, since that's enough to cover the entire mouth. Just secure the floss around the two middle fingers of each hand. When you are done, about 2.5 centimeters of floss should remain to clean your first tooth.

When flossing, always use a long enough piece to get the job done properly. About two feet of dental floss is actually needed to give yourself a proper cleaning. Twist that floss around both middle fingers. When you are done, about 2.5 centimeters of floss should remain to clean your first tooth.

If you want whiter teeth, use teeth whitening strips and get your teeth cleaned more often. Follow the instructions and don't prolong the use of the strips. Your teeth can be damaged by overusing whitening strips.

In addition to your teeth, you should brush your tongue. It is often overlooked, but your tongue can carry a lot of germs. Bacteria can fester on your tongue. Not regularly removing built up bacteria can lead to problems with your gums, teeth and your breath.

Flossing should always be done before brushing your teeth. Most issues tend to arise between the teeth, so it's important to clean there. If flossing causes you problems, you may want to purchase a flossing stick. These can be purchased at your local drug store. Floss picks are hygienic because they are only use once.

Look for any decay along the gum line. This is where the nerves are located, so this is area of your teeth that is most vulnerable. A lot of issues that are serious can happen here, and you may have to get a root canal when you don't take care of it. Watch the area closely, and let your dentist know as soon as possible if you notice any pain or changes in your gums, such as discoloration and bleeding.

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!

Brush your teeth at least 2 times a day. This will help prevent tooth decay. You should make sure to brush after you eat and before you go to bed. Use a toothpaste that has fluoride each time you brush your teeth for the best protection against tooth decay.

Beware of temperature changes. go source and sudden changes in temperature can cause sensitivity and weaken your enamel. There isn't much that you can do about the weather outside your door. You can, however, monitor what you are eating. Avoid eating and drinking cold and hot beverages and foods together.

It is very important to brush your teeth properly and for a long enough time. One way to make sure you are brushing thoroughly is to use an electric toothbrush. This type of brush far surpasses the manual toothbrush in the number of brush strokes per minute, so cleans much better and faster.

To prevent your teeth from getting stained by coffee or tea, have a little sip of water after you enjoy your beverage. The water can rinse away some of the staining and slow down the build up of the stains. If you cannot brush after you drink a dark beverage, sip some water.

Choose a non-abrasive toothpaste that has been fortified with fluoride. Abrasive cleansers can damage the protective enamel. Fluoride strengthens the teeth and helps prevent cavities. For children under the age of two, use a toothpaste without fluoride. Children tend to swallow a lot of the toothpaste and fluoride poisoning can pose a serious health risk.

Protecting the enamel on your teeth is vital to your keeping your teeth healthy. Foods that are high in acid and sugar (such as soft drinks) can cause the enamel to erode. This will leave your tooth more at risk for cavities, tooth sensitivity and eventually complete erosion, if not treated.

Choosing a toothbrush that has the proper bristles for your needs is important. Ideally bristles should be firm enough to remove plaque but not so firm that they irritate and damage your gums. Whether you choose angled bristles or straight bristles is a personal choice and depends on which type you feel works best.

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.

What toothpaste are you using? Look at the toothpaste's label to be sure it has fluoride. Fluoride toothpaste can help avoid tooth decay. A dentist can tell you what toothpaste you ought to use.

As the beginning of this piece discussed, many folks don't really understand how important dental care is. After all, if you do not care for your teeth, many health problems can occur. In order to be sure you are properly caring for your teeth, put the above advice to good use.