How to Take Care of Your Teeth

Steps

1. Be sure your toothbrush has soft bristles (the package will tell you if they're soft). Remember that you'll need a new toothbrush every 3 months. Some toothbrushes come with bristles that change color when it's time to change them. Don't worry about whiz-bang gadgety toothbrushes -- cheap works just fine, as long as the bristles are soft.
2. Buy toothpaste that contains fluoride, which makes your teeth strong and protects them from cavities.
3. When you brush, you don't need a lot of toothpaste; just squeeze out a bit the size of a pea.
4. Brush at least twice a day - after breakfast and before you go to bed. If you can, brush after lunch. Brushing properly breaks down plaque.
5. Brush all of your teeth, not just the front ones. Spend some time on the teeth along the sides and in the back. Brush away from your gum.
6. Learn how to floss your teeth, which is a very important way to keep them healthy.
7. Be careful about what you eat and drink. Eat lots of fruit and vegetables and drink water instead of soda.
8. Visit the dentist twice a year. Besides checking for signs of cavities or gum disease, the dentist will help keep your teeth extra clean, and he or she can help you learn the best way to brush and floss.

Tips

• Taking care of your teeth helps prevent plaque, which is a invisible film that coats your teeth. The film acts like a magnet for bacteria which break down sugars into acids that eat away at tooth enamel, causing small holes called cavities. Plaque also causes gingivitis, which is gum disease that can make your gums red, swollen, and painful.
• Brushing too hard will cause your gums to bleed, while brushing too soft will not get rid of plaque.
• Chewing gum between meals, especially if the gum is sweetened with xylitol, helps keep your mouth moist, and your teeth cleaner, both of which are good for your teeth.

Warnings

• Don't swallow toothpaste. Be sure to rinse and spit after brushing.
• It is also good to know that if your teeth are strong, you are more prone to gum diseases. On the other hand, if your gum is really healthy, you're more prone to cavities.