Brush Correctly

• Brush your teeth for 3 minutes

• When you brush, position the head of the toothbrush toward your gums at a 45 degree angle. Move the brush back and forth gently in short strokes.
  
  

Eat teeth damaging foods sparingly

• Popcorn kernels, frozen candy bars, and ice cubes can crack your teeth

• Carbonated drinks erode tooth enamel

• Coffee and tea stain your teeth
  
  

Floss daily

Use your teeth only for chewing food

• Cracking nut shells, chewing pen caps and tearing off clothing tags can crack enamel, dislodge fillings or loosen teeth
  
  

Don't smoke

• Smokers are 4 times more likely to develop gum disease than non smokers
  
  

Don't clinch or grind teeth

• The pressure from clinching or grinding can add an additional 250 pounds of pressure per square inch of teeth.

• Clinching and grinding causes premature receding of gums and accelerates gum disease
  
  

Know the side effects of Medicines

• Side effects of some medicines indirectly affect your dental health
  
  

Don't ignore other health problems

• Some stomach conditions like gastrointestinal reflux disease can erode tooth enamel
  
  

Exercise Cautiously

• If necessary, wear a mouth guard to protect teeth
  
  

See a dentist twice a year

• A dentist can help you detect dental problems and fix them before they get worse.