Caring for your teeth is easier than you might think. Like anything, it might be overwhelming when you take on another task. However, this is your lucky day because this article will help you. The following tips will make you a dental care pro and give you the healthy smile you seek.

If you have questions for your dentist, write them down and bring them to your appointment. Once your cleaning and exam begin, it is hard to get a word in edgewise, especially with picks, pokers and mirrors in your mouth! Speak up beforehand, and a dental hygienist can answer your questions before your mouth is too full, or too sore to ask afterwards.

Brush your teeth daily. Food and bad bacteria can settle on and in between teeth causing odor and dental issues, so brushing them helps to keep them clean. Brush them at least twice per day using a toothpaste that contains fluoride. The best times to brush your teeth are after every meal you eat and prior to bed.

See your dentist at least once a year. A dentist can catch problems that you may not notice, and can x-ray your teeth to catch any cavities early. Your dentist can also recommend toothpastes and mouthwashes that you can use to care for your mouth while you are at home, too.

Make sure you immediately brush your teeth after you eat. Allowing food residue to stay on your teeth increases the chance of experiencing tooth damage. You can prevent damage and plaque if you brush in the next 30 minutes after you are done eating. It will also help reduce your chances of suffering from painful toothaches.

To keep your teeth looking their best and free of decay, visit your dentist regularly. Your dentist can professionally clean away build-up of plaque that can harm the enamel of your teeth. He can also perform an oral exam that can detect and problems with your teeth or gums before they become a serious threat to your dental health.

If you frequently experience dry mouth and bad breath, you probably feel embarrassed or self-conscious when you speak with others. To remedy this problem, treat yourself to a piece of gum or hard candy that contains xylitol. You can also use a scraper or soft-bristled toothbrush to gently clean the top, underside and end of your tongue once or twice daily.

Flossing is not difficult, but many people have a hard time doing it. Ask your dentist to demonstrate for you on a model of the mouth and to allow you to practice on that same model. You can also floss in front of the mirror in your dentist’s presence so that you can learn how to floss properly.

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.

If you are visiting your dentist for cosmetic reasons, always choose the less invasive treatments. For example is you are choosing between crowns and veneers, always opt for veneers. Veneers only require you to trim back a bit of your tooth, while crowns involve a lot more and are more damaging.

When brushing your teeth, make sure you are using a soft bristled toothbrush. You may be tempted to choose a medium or hard bristled brush. However, these are mush harsher on your gums and could lead to bleeding. Instead, use a soft brush and make sure you brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes.

If you are thinking about getting a tongue or a lip piercing, you should know that this trend could have devastating effects on your teeth and gums. A metal piercing could crack a tooth badly and having a piercing rub on your gums constantly will cause them to become inflamed.

Since you read this great article, you should feel a lot more comfortable discussing dental care. There is much more to learn, but this is a good start. You will have a smile that makes others jealous when you put this information to good use.