Most people are well aware of the importance of brushing and flossing every day and visiting the dentist every six months. However, if you really want to keep your teeth strong and healthy, there is still more to do. For some great advice on dental care, the following article is a good place to start.

Daily flossing is essential to healthy teeth. Take a generous amount of dental floss and insert it gently between your teeth. Move the floss up from the gum on the side of each tooth. This will remove plaque that you can't reach with your toothbrush and help keep your teeth their cleanest.


After you have brushed your teeth follow up with a good fluoride rinse. A fluoride rinse will help protect your teeth by hardening the enamel on your teeth. For the greatest benefit rinse for at least one minute. The proper procedure for rinsing is to swish the mouthwash between each tooth; then, finish with a quick rinsed to help freshen your breath.

When you are brushing your teeth, make sure that you get all of the toothpaste out of your mouth by rinsing properly. Leaving toothpaste on your teeth can cause buildup, which can negatively affect the health of your mouth. After you are done, give your mouth a good rinse three times with a cup of water.

Do not forget to remove plaque from your teeth when flossing. You should place the floss at the bottom of the tooth and gently pull it so it scrapes the plaque off your tooth. Do this for each tooth before focusing on cleaning the space between your teeth with floss.

Receding gum lines is known cause a host of illnesses. Brushing and flossing is important to your gum health. Everyone should floss and brush their teeth in the morning and at bedtime as well as between meals to help prevent gum disease. Use good brushing and flossing techniques to help prevent future illness.

Stop smoking to improve your dental health. Smoking harms both teeth and gums. It can even discolor your teeth. Smoking disrupts the blood supply to the gums, which makes it harder for them to remain strong and healthy. This reduced blood supply makes it more difficult for dentists to diagnose gum diseases.

Don't use a hard toothbrush when brushing your teeth. Soft and medium brushes are gentle on the teeth, ensuring your enamel stays securely in place. Hard bristles can cause problems that lead to cavities, decay and breakage. It's best to ask your dentist which brush brand he recommends when you visit.

Sometimes in life we have to make decisions about our health. For example, we may want to eat right, but we don't have time for a healthy restaurant. Instead, we choose a salad at a fast-food joint. The same can be said of dental care - for example, mint floss is a great way to convince yourself to floss more often.

To maintain optimum oral health, you need to make sure you go to the dentist two times a year. This dental checkup will include a cleaning and assessment by the dentist. They will do any minor work and will help your mouth maintain optimum health. They will be able to treat any issues before they become major problems.

Use a small amount of toothpaste when you brush. While it may seem like more toothpaste would clean teeth better, it will not. The phrase, "less is more" works best when brushing your teeth. All you need is a pea-sized amount of toothpaste in the middle of your toothbrush for optimal cleaning.

A great tip when it comes to dental hygiene is to avoid extreme temperature changes. When you go from a particularly hot environment to a cold one (or visa versa) your teeth can become very sensitive and in some cases, you can damage the enamel. This also means you shouldn't eat hot and cold foods together.

Visit your dentist regularly. Many people are afraid of dentists. For the sake of your dental health, you should try your best to conquer this fear. Don't just visit your dentist when a problem arises. If you are able, try to schedule regular tooth cleanings. Regular cleanings and checkups can prevent a real problem from occurring.

Make your own toothpaste. It is very simple to do this. Simply take a bit of baking soda and mix it with a bit of water. Use the paste to brush your teeth, and then rinse your mouth completely. This is a cheaper way to get your teeth clean, and works almost as well.


Stop smoking. Smoking really does hurt your smile. You may already be aware that it discolors your teeth. Smoking also hinders blood flow to your gums. This can make it harder to detect gum disease. Smoking can cause major dental problems in the future by preventing early detection altogether.

Try using a straw whenever drinking beverages. Drinking through a straw means your beverages goes through the lips and down the throat instead of coming in contact with your teeth. If you do this, you can avoid stains on your teeth. Straws can be bought cheaply at the grocery store.

If your teeth are particularly sensitive and you haven't been able to find relief with a specialty toothpaste, visit your dentist. There are actually prescription-strength toothpastes formulated for extra sensitive teeth. They may cost you a little more but in the end, it will be well worth being able to brush comfortably without sensitivity issues.

Try to remember to drink water every time you get thirsty instead of reaching for a soda. The more often you choose water over soda, the more often you are deciding to protect your enamel instead of wear it down. This also applies to other sugary beverages like sweetened teas and fruit juices.

You only get one set of permanent teeth in your life, so you need to take good care of them. If you fail to do so, you can be in for many years of expensive and painful dental work. Avoid this necessity by using these dental care tips on a daily basis.