Chew your way to great teeth!

You can help keep your teeth strong and healthy by chewing sugarless gum. Chewing gum creates more saliva inside your mouth. This can stop plaque from forming in your mouth, which means less chances of your teeth decaying. It will neutralize the acid to help your teeth avoid erosion.

Brushing tips

You already know that you must brush your teeth, but are you aware that your tongue should be brushed also? Brushing your tongue helps to remove bacteria and food particles. A build up of bacteria on your tongue is the number one reason for bad breath.

It is ideal to brush in a downward motion. That will help you get rid of any food particles that may be caught between teeth and along the gum line. Brushing sideways is okay, but you need to also move your brush up and down to be effective.

What to do when you can't brush

Brush several times per day to help maintain a healthy smile. The best care for your mouth is to brush after every meal, as well as when you first wake up and before bed. If you're unable to brush after you've eaten, pop in a piece of sugarless gum. This will keep your breath fresh and your teeth clean.

Beware of baking soda!

Even though there is baking soda contained in many toothpaste brands, you should never use plain baking soda to brush your teeth. Baking soda is too abrasive on its own. It can wear away the important enamel on your teeth. This puts you at a higher risk for cavities.

Don't smoke!

Smoking has devastating effects on your teeth and gums. If you currently see no damage, just look up some information and images about the damage smoking can do to your mouth, teeth and gums. It's best to quit asap. Talk to your dentist or to your doctor about methods you can use to quit smoking.

Befriend your gums

Look at your gums for early detection of tooth decay. The gums are particularly vulnerable, as the nerves begin there. If problems are not treated, it could mean needing a root canal. Make sure you carefully observe this area, and if you notice any pain, discoloration or other changes, immediately let your dentist know.

Listen to your dentist!

You should act on your dentist's recommendations for tooth extraction and/or antibiotics right away. Any oral infection can actually spread to other locations in your body. Never deviate from your dental care provider's instructions for caring for an infection. Be sure to take any prescribed antibiotic medication and finish it as recommended by your dentist.