|
Early dental
care—even for infants—is key.
Healthy baby teeth help your child's jawbones and muscles
develop normally, maintain space for permanent teeth
and help your child eat and speak. Bring your child
to the dentist before his or her first birthday, followed
by visits every six months. More
information about children's dental health.
Eating cranberries
can reduce your risk of gum disease.
Compounds in the fruit help prevent bacteria in the
mouth from sticking together and forming plaque.
Buy shred-proof
or shred-resistant dental floss.
If floss gets lodged between teeth, it can expand, push
your teeth apart and cause pain. Tips
for effective flossing.
Don't drink hot
beverages while eating ice cream.
Going from one temperature to extreme to another can
cause hairline cracks in teeth because they contract
and expand.
Apples, oranges,
celery, carrots and high-fiber greens such as spinach,
lettuce and broccoli can help whiten teeth.
That's because these foods require lots of chewing,
so they stimulate saliva production and minimize stain-producing
bacteria on teeth.
Consider using
an electric toothbrush.
People who use electric toothbrushes do a good job of
keeping their teeth well-brushed, mainly because they
spend more time brushing than most people who use regular
brushes. If you use a regular toothbrush, consider using
a timer to ensure you brush for at least two minutes.
Tips for effective
brushing.
Back
to preventive/general dental health
|
