Should I brush or floss first?
The main goal is that you do a thorough job of both, so it comes down to personal preference. Just make sure to choose a toothbrush that feels comfortable in your hand and fits well in your mouth and to brush twice a day for two minutes each time. While tooth brushing removes plaque from tooth surfaces, you need to floss once a day since it removes food debris and plaque from between the teeth, a place where your toothbrush is unable to reach.

What can I do about bad breath?
Consider what you eat. Since certain foods, such as onions, consistently causes bad breath, be mindful of how frequently you enjoy them.

Refrain from using tobacco products. Speak with a professional about quitting to maintain good oral health.

Brush and Floss Daily. Food that remains near the gums and in between the teeth, if left alone, cause bad breath. By brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, the problem is minimized because the food particles and plaque are removed. It is also recommended that you brush your tongue with your toothbrush or with a special tongue scraper. Also, once a day, use floss to remove odor-causing particles between teeth.

Visit your dentist regularly for a professional checkup and cleaning. If you think you have bad breath consistently, speak with your dentist about ways to remedy the problem.

Will mouthwash remove bad breath?
Mouthwash just hides the problem temporarily. Mouthwash isn't the only breath freshener commonly used. Sprays, mints, gum and strips are often used in an attempt to hide bad breath. Since they just freshen your breath temporarily, if you find yourself using them frequently to mask bad breath, see your dentist for a better solution.

What can I do to have whiter teeth?
Speak with your dentist. Since not all teeth are able to benefit from whitening, speak to your dentist to determine if you are a candidate. Upon inspection of your teeth, your dentist can tell you if whitening procedures would work for you.

Brush with toothpaste containing whitening agents. The good news is that every time you brush your teeth you are removing stains. But even better news is that toothpaste with whitening features provides even more stain removal. Consider over-the-counter products. Many people achieve whiter teeth with over-the-counter products (OTC), such as gels, strips or bleaching solutions. Some of the OTC products only take 2 weeks to complete.

What can I snack on throughout the day that is lower in sugar to prevent cavities?
Plan ahead and prepare snack-size portions so you can satisfy your cravings with healthy choices. Here are some ideas to get you started: fresh fruits, raw vegetables, baked tortilla chips, low-salt pretzels, unbuttered popcorn, yogurt, cheese, meat, nuts and seeds. If you have healthy snacks with you throughout the day, you'll be less likely to make a trip to the vending machine.

How do I help my children have good oral hygiene from the start?
Being mindful of good hygiene from the beginning will help your children have healthy gums and teeth in the future. You can keep your infant's gums clean by using a moist soft towel and gently wiping their gums after every feeding. Be sure to start brushing their teeth as soon as the teeth appear and schedule your children to see the dentist at around 1 year old.

Also, do not allow your child to sleep with a bottle containing sugar agents. Make sure that their teeth are brushed at least 2 times per day, using only a very small amount of child-safe toothpaste on the brush to prevent swallowing the excess.

How can I help my child avoid cavities?
Every time your child eats, an acid reaction occurs inside the mouth as the sugar is digested. The acidic environment can destroy tooth structure, eventually leading to cavities. Here are some suggestions to prevent tooth destruction that results in your child's cavities:

Promote healthy beverages. Water is the healthiest beverage for teeth, but 100 percent fruit juices and milk are also acceptable choices. Soda, sweetened drinks such as iced tea or lemonade, and flavored milk all contain large amounts of sugar and should not be the main beverages for your children.

Limit snacks and meals. Most school-aged children should eat three meals and only two or three snacks per day. Have your child finish a snack in one sitting instead of continually munching on food throughout the day. The sooner you start them on healthy eating, the better. Get them used to eating healthy foods by giving them snacks such as cheese, pretzels, fruit, bite-sized raw vegetables, and yogurt.

Serve the treat with a meal. It's all about timing. To reduce acid reactions, try to include a treat with lunch or dinner, instead of serving it separately later. Avoid sticky foods. Minimize the amount of sticky food your child eats. Sticky foods like caramel and fruit strips remain on the tooth surface longer, which causes a more lengthy acid reaction that poses a higher risk for tooth decay. Encourage frequent brushing and rinsing. After each meal and snack, have your child brush their teeth, or at least rinse their mouth with water to remove the food and plaque.

The information on this Web site is presented for educational purposes only and does not replace the evaluation of a health care professional.