part of your overall well-being; gums and teeth can indicate disease long before you're aware that anything is wrong. The following article will offer expert advice on keeping your teeth and gums in tip-top shape. Read on for useful information that will keep your smile beautiful.

After brushing your teeth, you should always remember to rinse your toothbrush out with water. When storing your brush, try to find a storage container that will allow your brush to stay upright and air dry. If you place your wet brush into a container with a lid, bacteria has an easier time to grow.
Prevention is the key to avoiding expensive dental work. Most dental problems are completely avoidable when you take preventative measures. Some important preventative measures are brushing your teeth twice daily, flossing daily, and seeing the dentist for a teeth cleaning once yearly. Avoiding sugary drinks like Kool-Aid and soft drinks will also help.
Brush your teeth both in the morning and in the evening. Take your time. Many people simply go through the motions quickly and don't do an efficient job. Try timing yourself to make sure that you get your teeth very clean. If you have to, sing the ABC song in your head, and don't stop brushing until the song is over.
One of the things that you will need to make sure to do when you are taking care of your teeth is to floss. This is very important as it will help to get rid of the excess food between your teeth that your toothbrush cannot reach. This will lead to better overall health.
It is important that you get rid of your toothbrush about every two to three months. Eventually, the bristles on a toothbrush grow weak from over-useage. This prevents the toothbrush from actually cleaning your teeth and can actually cause damage to your gums. Also, if you're sick, get a new toothbrush once you are better.
Make sure that you brush your teeth properly. Do it in the morning and right before bed. Saliva can dry up when you sleep, which causes bacteria to grow more quickly. You need to be brushing for two minutes or longer, and you need to brush at 45 degree angles.
If you have a damaged tooth, always use tooth extraction as a last result. At the end of the day, it is always better to keep your natural teeth as opposed to choosing other, more permanent solutions. This might mean more visits to the dentists office, but you and your teeth will feel better about it.
Do not only brush the surfaces when brushing your teeth. Brushing your gums will help to ensure that you get any extra buildup. Cavities in the gums can be awful and are hard to avoid and fix once they occur so you want to be sure to be extra thorough when cleaning them.
Have your teeth checked and cleaned two times a year by your dentist. Dental cleanings are crucial for good oral hygiene. During this time you get your teeth cleaned well, checked to see if you have gingivitis or cavities, and anything else you need the dentist to do. If you catch things early enough you should be able to pay less to get things fixed.
If you notice that you are getting a lot of cavities, it may be time to change what you are drinking. Carbonated soft drinks break down the enamel on your teeth and should be avoided to help protect your dental health. If you must drink a carbonated soft drink, immediately brush your teeth after drinking a serving.
Make sure you change your toothbrush once every two or three months. After a few months of use, your toothbrush's bristles will wear out and will no longer effectively brush. This same rule applies for electric toothbrush heads. If your toothbrush is wearing out before two months, it could be a sign that you're brushing your teeth too harsh.
Ensure that the toothpaste that your child is using matches his or her age group's needs. Young children tend to swallow toothpaste; therefore, toothpaste that is specifically for younger children doesn't contain toxic chemicals and fluoride. As your children age, you will need to change their toothpaste to one that contains fluoride. Be sure to take a look at the different ages groups that each toothpaste is made for, and ensure that you get the one that matches your child's age.
For the whitest, brightest smile possible, watch what you eat and drink. Beverages like coffee, tea and soda are notorious for depositing unsightly yellow and brown stains on the surface of your teeth. Darkly colored juices are also potential culprits, as are certain types of gravy and fruit products. If you do consume these items, brush your teeth immediately after doing so.