Poor dental care and hygiene practices can lead to a surprisingly large number of maladies, not to mention serious pain and inconvenience. But, when you spend some time getting familiar with the proper procedures, dental hygiene is easy. Keep reading to gain the necessary knowledge that will help.

Fluoride can be a great ally in the fight to maintain a healthy smile and strong teeth. If your tap water has no fluoride, everyone in your home might be at risk for tooth decay. One thing you can do is get toothpaste that contains fluoride. You could also use a fluoride mouthwash.



Believe it or not, saliva is actually your teeth's best friend! Natural saliva contains minerals, enamel-strengthening antibacterial properties and the power to neutralize acid. If you are a woman over the age of 50, menopause may be causing dry mouth, which, then leads to bad breath. Specially formulated dry mouth products can help to eliminate embarrassing odors caused by a lack of saliva.

If relevant resource site 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.

One way to ensure that you do not end up with cavities is to take good care of your teeth by performing regular dental care. Brushing, flossing and using mouthwash can all help to rid your mouth of harmful bacteria. It is also an effective way to stage off cavities.

If going to the dentist makes you anxious, there's several things you can do to get the dental care you need. Some dentists recommend taking anti-anxiety medication before visits and are willing to prescribe it to you for this purpose. You also want to choose a dentist who is patient with anxious patients and consider getting nitrous oxide treatments when you have dental work done.

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.

When you buy toothpaste, you need one with fluoride whether it is natural or not. Fluoride strengthens your teeth and also prevents cavities and other dental problems. After all, strong teeth are the healthiest teeth.

Certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies may cause gum problems and decaying teeth. If you mouth is less than healthy, check to see whether you should increase your calcium and other nutrients that are important to oral health. They can be found in natural sources such as fruits and low-fat dairy and will do your teeth a world of good.

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.

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.

Eat healthy fruits and vegetables to help keep teeth cleaned naturally. The natural abrasive qualities of fibrous fruits and vegetables, such as apples and carrots, help to break down and remove sticky plaque from teeth and gum lines. In addition to eating healthier snacks, you will be taking steps to keep your teeth looking their best.

If you and your dentist don't get along, ask for a different dentist or move on to a new practice. Dental hygiene is important, so get a new dentist. Sooner is better than later.

If see this website 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.

Wisdom teeth are necessary in the mechanism of chewing food. Most people have their wisdom teeth extracted soon after they emerge. Orthodontist usually remove the wisdom teeth before installing braces or other corrective devices. If your wisdom teeth are causing pain, they should be pulled before they become infected.

Be careful when choosing a whitening product. These products can actually create more problems than they solve. They can eliminate that protective layer on your teeth. If you don't know whether a product is good for your teeth, ask the dentist.

The expenses associated with dental procedures and regular preventative treatments can add up quickly. Good dental insurance can ease the burden. It's important to find out which services are covered and how much of the cost will be your responsibility. Know whether or not you will be able to choose your own dentist.

Rinse your mouth out with a mixture of peroxide and water before you brush your teeth. Use half peroxide and half water to rinse your mouth out. This will help get rid of germs in your mouth. Your mouth will be more clean and your breath will be fresher.

Give yourself a reward for good dental hygiene. Taking care of teeth daily is a hard habit to practice. Positively reinforce yourself when you do it. Don't reward yourself with sweet food. You want the reward to be constructive. Tying sweets to dental care is hypocritical policy. Maybe you can go out for a movie or a manicure.


The key to a great smile is bright shiny teeth. With a nice set of pearly whites, you'll be much more appealing to people you meet, and it will do wonders for your confidence. Make sure to implement the advice given in this article and you are sure to have great looking teeth in no time.