If you have ever suffered from a painful toothache, or had a cavity, you know how important it is to care for your teeth. There is more to proper dental care than just brushing and flossing, though. To really take good care of your teeth, you need to use the following advice.

Make sure you’re flossing every day. Brushing and using oral rinses can get rid of the majority of plaques, but it won’t get rid of everything. Flossing allows you to ensure you’re getting rid of any plaque that’s gotten between your teeth. These areas can’t be reached by brushing or rinsing so it’s important to floss.

Did you just break your tooth? The first thing that you need to do is get in touch with your dentist. After you get in touch with them, rinse your mouth out with warm water. Then use a cold compress on the area to reduce the swelling and decrease any pain.

Use fluoride, but not too much. Fluoride helps keep your teeth strong. It is especially helpful for children and teens. Too much fluoride, however, can damage teeth. If your city has fluoridated water, you may want to avoid fluoridated toothpaste. Ask your dentist to learn how to get the right amount of fluoride.

Always use toothpaste that contains fluoride. There are very few toothpastes available that do not contain fluoride, but some of the newer organic toothpastes do not. Fluoride is essential for strong and healthy teeth. So if you want to use an organic toothpaste that does not contain fluoride, use it after you brush with a fluoride toothpaste.

A good dentist can help protect your beautiful smile. When searching for a dentist, there are several good resources available to help you. Ask your primary-care doctor for a referral to a good dentist in your area. You may also want to ask your insurance carrier for recommendations of a dentist.

It’s important to brush your teeth at least twice a day. The first time should be after breakfast to get rid of all the gunk on your teeth from your meal and from sleeping overnight. The second time is before bed, ensuring that you clean off dinner detritus and daily build-up.

When putting your baby to bed, do not allow them to keep a bottle in their mouths that contain juice or milk. This will cause the sugars in the liquid to settle on the teeth, which can cause all of their teeth to rot. If you must give them a bottle, it should be filled with plain water.

Make sure you’re not suffering from dry mouth. Saliva is a natural defense against cavity causing bacteria as well as periodontal disease. Some people suffer from dry mouth due to certain medication side effects and others due to more serious problems. There are a number of products available to help you keep saliva production going or help you replace the saliva altogether.

You should visit your dentist for a cleaning two times a year. It’s imperative to get your teeth cleaned. When you go for an appointment they will clean your teeth, inspect them for cavities, and gum disease. If you keep your appointments you will lower your risk of having to have more invasive procedures done.

Know that some people are more prone to tarter build up than others, and not addressing this issue can be costly to your teeth. If you’ve learned you have a problem with tarter, invest in a specialty toothpaste and follow it up with detailed flossing and an anti-tarter mouth wash. The effort will pay off.

Now that you know more about dental care, it is time to start putting this advice to the test. Incorporate these tips into your daily routine so that you can have a bright, white smile for years to come. With this advice, you can look forward to visiting the dentist again.