How much do you really know about dental care? If you are like most people, you probably do not know much. It is this lack of knowledge that leads to many dental health issues. If you would like to stay away from disaster and properly care for your teeth, these tips are for you.

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.

Select a quality toothbrush and replace it regularly. The best type of toothbrush is one that is soft to the gums. If your teeth bleed when brushing, you might need a softer brush. Also, since bacteria develops quickly on a toothbrush, don’t use it for longer than a month.

When you brush your teeth it should take at least two minutes. You simply aren’t going to reach all the nooks and crannies within your mouth where plaque loves to hide. It is important to take the time to thoroughly brush your teeth twice a day to prevent cavities.

Remember that you are what you eat, and so are your teeth. If you smoke a lot and drink red wine often, your teeth do get discolored. If you want whiter teeth, change what you eat. If it’s dark going on your mouth, your teeth are going to get dark from it.

It is important that you properly brush your tongue. The tongue is often overlooked when brushing, but it is just as important to keep clean as teeth. Your tongue is home to a plethora of bacteria. Letting that bacteria reside on your tongue can spread it to your teeth or make your breath stink.

If you suffer from bad breath, there may be an underlying medical condition. To ensure that your bad breath is not from an underlying medical condition visit your dentist and primary care physician. If after finding you have no underlying medical conditions you still have bad breath, consider using a mouthwash after brushing and using breath mints or chewing gum in between brushing your teeth.

Invest in one of those small hand-held mirrors like your dentist uses in his office. It can help you to spot plaque and tarter build-up in places not accessible to the naked eye and can assist you when you’ve got something stuck in between teeth. You can also use it to inspect your mouth for anomalies that may indicate underlying health issues.

If you are not sure which dentist to visit, talk to the people that you know. Chances are, if a family member or friend has had a good experience with a dentist, you will too. You can also speak with your doctor or check online to find possibilities that might be suitable.

Using mouthwash is a great way to clear out any loose debris and keep your breath smelling good. Make sure to avoid using a mouthwash with alcohol in it as those brands tend to dry out the mouth, leaving a veritable wonderland for bacteria and leading to terrible problems down the road.

You need to visit the dentist twice a year for a check-up and cleaning to keep your mouth in tip-top shape. The cost is worth it when you consider how much you will be billed when you have to have a cavity filled, root canal or extraction! Don’t forget the cost of dentures!

Don’t settle for using just any toothpaste. This is when it’s time to buy expensive. Buy a product that has baking soda or a whitening formula and one that fights against tartar and plaque. If need be, get a recommendation from your dentist, and this will make your mouth feel instantly better.

In conclusion, you may have been like most people, uneducated about dental care. But, now you can see that there is a lot that goes into dental, most of which you need to know about to avoid a myriad of dental problems. Use the above advice to keep your teeth in great shape.