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Your teeth are often among the first items people see when they meet you. This explains why you want to keep them in top condition. The tips below will help to get you started.



Brushing your teeth properly is important for your overall mouth health. When brushing your teeth, use a vertical motion on the outside of your teeth and a horizontal motion on the inner parts of your teeth. Concentrate your efforts by brushing each tooth for approximately fifteen seconds to help ensure proper cleaning.









Take care of your toothbrush. After you finish cleaning your teeth, make sure you clean your toothbrush, too. Simply wash it off with water and place Visit Webpage in a toothbrush holder so that it is standing up. Putting your toothbrush in a case is not advisable, because bacteria is more likely to grow that way.



If a dentist tells you that a deep cleaning is necessary, get checked out by another dentist before you commit to it. Your dentist may recommend it just to line his own pockets since it's a pretty pricey procedure.



Teach your kids proper dental habits from the beginning. When your children get their first teeth in, brush the teeth for them. Once your child is old enough, teach him how to brush teeth on his own. Get a big timer and put 2 minutes on it for your child to make sure he is brushing for long enough, and take him to his first dental appointment when he turns three.



Examine your toothbrush several times a month. Look for signs that you might need to buy a new one. The bristles are often the first indication. If you see that they are becoming frayed, go out and purchase something else. In general, you shouldn't go longer than four months without getting another brush.



Have you seriously considered arranging to have your tongue pierced? You might want to reconsider your decision. Piercing your tongue can actually cause quite a bit of damage to your mouth. Oral piercings can also chip teeth and leave you vulnerable to infection. If things get really bad, a portion of your tongue may need to be removed.



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.



Limit your sugar intake to prevent cavities. You increase your risk of cavities by eating more sugar. You should always choose water because fruit juice and soda pop is sugar laden and causes a great deal of tooth decay. To help protect your teeth, limit how often you eat sugary foods.






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If you are deathly afraid of spending time in the dentist's chair, you might be tempted to skip cleanings or procedures altogether. This is a bad idea, especially since poor oral hygiene can lead to gum disease or even diabetes. Consider sedation dentistry, in which the patient is not awake during the appointment. Furthermore, some dentists will prescribe sedatives prior to the appointment. If you use either option, you must have someone who can drive you to and from the appointment.



If you visit a dentist for the first time, think about how the experience was after your appointment is over. It is never to late too switch if you were not comfortable. Factors like how nice the staff was to you and how clean the office was should all be considered.



Replace your toothbrush approximately every 60 days to minimize the chance of problems. Use a brush with soft or medium bristles; hard bristles can wear away tooth enamel and result in painful or bleeding gums. Get the highest of quality with a name brand product.



Avoid food and beverages that are high in acid unless you can brush immediately after consuming them. Drink soda, tea and coffee through a straw whenever possible to limit contact. Brush your teeth or rinse your mouth with water immediately after eating citrus fruits, tomatoes and other acidic fruits.



If your teeth tend to look stained, check what is in your diet. Certain drinks could be causing those stains. Some notorious drinks are iced tea, light and dark juices, dark sodas, and red wine. It can produce noticeable results when you reduce or eliminate these foods.



To counteract the stains that such habits as drinking red wine, smoking, and consuming a lot of coffee can leave on your teeth, consider using whitening strips. Although they are somewhat expensive and require lengthy applications, they can undo much of the discoloration that you are bringing to your teeth.



Protecting your smile is important beyond the aesthetics; oral health plays a significant role in your overall well being too! Teeth and gums with problems can mean underlying conditions you need to be aware of. Take good care of your mouth and watch for signs of trouble. Your beautiful smile depends on it!