It's easy to take a healthy mouth for granted, but if you want to avoid dental problems and maintain a healthy smile for life, you need to do more than just run a toothbrush over your teeth every day. While proper brushing and flossing are essential steps, the lifestyle choices you make can also have a major impact on the health of your mouth and teeth.
Step 1
Brush your teeth two to three times per day -- preferably after meals -- with a fluoride toothpaste. Hold the toothbrush at a slight angle to your teeth and use short, controlled back-and-forth motions to clean the teeth and tongue; make sure to brush all surfaces of each tooth, including the insides.
Step 2
Floss once per day. Begin with an 18-inch strand of dental floss. Wind most of one end around the middle finger of your left hand and part of the other end around the middle finger of your right hand, leaving a taut 1-inch amount of floss in between. Press the floss into the space between two teeth, and use your thumbs and forefingers to pull it from the gums to the surface of the teeth, scraping plaque from the surfaces of the teeth. Unwind another inch of clean floss before moving onto the next tooth.
Step 3
Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and low-fat dairy, and limit your intake of sugary snacks and treats. Too much sugar can break down the surface enamel of your teeth and lead to cavities.
Step 4
Avoid smoking or using tobacco products of any kind. Tobacco increases your risk of gingivitis, oral cancer, periodontitis and tooth decay.
Step 5
See your dentist for a check-up and cleaning at least once per year. Many dentists recommend twice-yearly visits, and if you have dental problems, you may need to be seen more often.
Tips and Warnings
- Replace your toothbrush every three to four months, or sooner if you notice the bristles starting to fray.
- See your dentist if you experience red, tender or swollen gums, loose teeth, bleeding when brushing or flossing, gums pulling away from teeth, unusual sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks, or changes in the way your top and bottom teeth align.
Things You'll Need
- Soft-bristle toothbrush
- Fluoride toothpaste
- Dental floss
