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Maintain healthy teeth
Here are six suggestions
to help you maintain your dental health:
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.
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