If you want a beautiful smile, you have to take care of it. Many simple oral care practices can help you maintain a bright smile, fresh breath, and a healthy mouth. Brushing your teeth is the foundation of oral care. Below are some basic tips from the American Dental Association.

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Oral Care Benefits:
*Supports healthy teeth & gums
*Fights plaque build-up
*Keeps breath clean & fresh
*Maintains oral health

Maintaining Oral Care
Brush at least twice every day and take time to clean your teeth well. Use toothpaste and brushes that fit your needs. Fluoride toothpaste is best. Find a toothbrush that is comfortable to use. You may want to try an electric or battery-powered toothbrush to help you brush thoroughly.

Proper Brushing
Brush with a back-and-forth motion and hold the brush at a slight angle against your teeth. Brush your tongue for fresh breath. Don’t brush too vigorously; harsh brushing can irritate the gums. Keep your toothbrush clean to prevent bacterial growth. Rinse your brush with water after use and store it in an upright position that allows it to air dry. Replace your toothbrush as needed, generally about every three to four months. Replace sooner if bristles become frayed.

Flossing & Oral Care
Flossing is another key component of proper oral care. Use plenty of floss, about 18 inches for each flossing. Floss one tooth at a time, winding the floss around your fingers as you go to get a fresh piece of floss for each tooth.
- Be gentle. Pull the floss from the gum line to the top of the tooth to scrape off plaque build-up. Rub the floss against all sides of the tooth to get it thoroughly clean. If flossing seems hard to do, you may need to switch to waxed floss or use dental picks to clean between the teeth. Just don’t give up!

Other Oral Care Tips
You may also want to use antimicrobial mouthwash to reduce plaque build-up. An oral irrigator can help clean food from the teeth, but it cannot clear plaque from teeth. Go to the dentist once or twice a year for a thorough cleaning to help prevent oral health problems like gum disease. Be sure to contact your dentist between visits if you experience symptoms such as red, swollen, or bleeding gum, persistent bad breath or bad taste in your mouth, changes in teeth alignment or temperature sensitivity, or gums pulling away from teeth, or teeth falling out.