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Dentists know that prevention begins with cleaning teeth regularly. They also know most people brush too quickly to get their teeth really clean. If you want clean teeth, take time to brush. A proper cleaning should take you about three minutes.

The next time you brush your teeth, keep these important points in mind. It is a good idea to brush after every meal, but it is essential to brush thoroughly at least once every 24 hours. Remember, one thorough cleaning is better than three or four haphazard ones.

Don't scrub too hard. By doing that you will actually damage your teeth and gums. Use a gentle, massaging action and a soft-bristled brush. Flossing is also essential to keep your teeth and gums in good shape. Flossing cleans those areas your toothbrush cannot reach.

Dentists know most people are not going to cut out sugar completely. Nevertheless, there are many healthy choices you can make in how, what and when you eat. To help you make the choices, dentists offer the following suggestions.

(i) A WELL-BALANCED DIET
Like the rest of your body, your teeth and gums need good nutrition. Without an adequate and balanced supply of vitamins and minerals, the chances of tooth decay and gum disease are greater.

(ii) STICKY SWEETS
Sweets can cause great harm to your teeth. However, what is more important is not just the amount of sugar you eat, but the length of time your teeth are exposed to it. Sticky sweets cling to the teeth and the longer they stay there, the more damage they do.

(iii) SNACKS
Sugary foods cause acids to be produced in the mouth. The more often you eat sugary snacks, the more times you expose your teeth to an "acid attack". Sweet drink are also considered as sugary snack.

(iv) TOBACCO
Apart from causing other health problems, tobacco can cause gum disease and oral cancer. Smoking also stains your teeth and this stain is not easy to remove. Gum disease is a serious threat to dental health. It begins as a mild infection, but left unchecked it spreads, destroying the ligaments and bones that support the teeth.

The following symptoms show that your gums are in need of attention: red, shiny, puffy gums; gums that bleed when you brush or floss; discharge from the gums; serious bad breath; any shifting or loosening of the teeth. If not treated, gum disease causes the gum to recede, thus exposing the roots of the teeth. Your teeth then loosen and finally fall out.

Most people go to the dentist only when they have serious dental problems. That is not advisable. Think of a dentist as your partner in prevention. With regular checkups and professional cleaning, the dentist can help you stop dental disease before it starts. See a dentist at least once in six months. Like the saying goes, "Prevention is better than cure"!

Learn more about this author, G. Lee.
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