Use a fluoride toothpaste if possible
Fluoride helps make teeth strong and prevents decay. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the ADA and the Centres for Disease Control agree that kids should use fluoride toothpaste for brushing, taking care not to swallow it. Adults benefit from using fluoride to protect their teeth, too.
Avoid sweets and fizzy drinks
Sweets and foods with acid, like candy and soda drinks, can stick to teeth and lead to cavities. Smoking and chewing tobacco can cause oral cancer and gum disease. Other things to avoid are chewing ice or using your teeth to tear open packages. This can cause stress to your jaw and break your teeth.Gritting or grinding down on teeth when you’re stressed may crack them. Biting your nails is another habit to avoid as it pulls your jaw out of position and this can change how your teeth fit together.
Plan for regular dental care
Setting a budget each year for your dental care will pay dividends for your oral health. We suggest giving your teeth a place in your annual budget alongside other things that are important to you, like beauty care or clothing. Having regular check ups to head off any big problems will save you costs in the long term.
Do I really need to floss?
There’s no getting around the need to get around your teeth daily with dental floss. It clears food and plaque from between teeth and under the gumline. If you don’t, plaque hardens into tartar, which forms wedges and widens the space between teeth and gums, causing pockets. Over time, gums pull away and teeth loosen.Either waxed or unwaxed floss will do the job. Using floss picks or interdental brushes is another easy option.
Does a rinse or mouthwash help?
Mouthwashes for cavity protection, sensitivity, and fresh breath may help when you use them with regular brushing and flossing — but not instead of daily cleanings. Your dentist can recommend the best type for you.Some people need twice-daily rinses for gum health or alcohol-free washes for dry mouth. Children under 6 shouldn’t use mouthwash in case they swallow it.