Tips How to keep your Oral Health and a Fresh Breath

Brushing and Using Dental Floss

• Floss and brush your teeth, gums and tongue daily. Clean as far back on your tongue as you can, as that’s where bacteria often collect. If you don’t clean your mouth, any remaining food particles will attract bacteria, which cause bad breath and contribute to tooth decay.

• Electric toothbrushes will do a better job of removing plaque and tartar from your teeth. Use fluoride toothpaste and gently concentrate on where your teeth meet the gum line, and keep your toothbrush on for at least two minutes. Afterwards, grab some dental floss (waxed is a good choice since it can get in the spaces between the teeth much easier) and go around each tooth in a curved motion.

Have a healty diet

• To prevent tooth decay cut down on those carbonated sodas, chocolate bars, hard candies and those sickly sweet energy bars you might be tempted to eat in the morning. Instead, choose more raw vegetables like celery, and fruits like apples and pears. Red wine, fruit juices and vinegary salad dressings can be acidic and will eat away at the tooth enamel over time.

• Be aware that certain foods — such as garlic, onions and some spices — can contribute to bad breath for up to 72 hours after eating.

Cigarettes, cigars and chewing tobacco

• Can cause dry mouth and bad breath -- on top of being harmful to your overall health. Ask your dentist for help with smoking cessation.

Bad breath

• Can be an early symptom of periodontal or gum disease. Gum disease is an infection that affects the gums and jawbone, which can lead to a loss of gum and teeth. If left alone, the bacteria will build up on your teeth and irritate the gums.

• Dry mouth leads to bad breath. Saliva inhibits the growth of bacteria that contribute to bad breath by cleansing the mouth and removing odor-causing food particles. Dry mouth is also caused by some medications, alcohol and breathing with your mouth open. Drink plenty of water or chew sugar-free gum or candy to keep your mouth moist.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

• Dentists have all the technology necessary to make sure your teeth are in good shape, and to find problems that are not visible just by looking in the mirror, like cavities and gingivitis. The dentist will also screen for signs of oral cancer, which is treatable if detected early.

More than a perfect smile

Everyone is vulnerable, because bacteria that routinely lurk in the mouth cause tooth decay and gum disease.Most people don't know they have these infections. They often cause no pain and few symptoms, but can lead to far worse. Gum disease may also heighten the risk for heart disease, diabetes, pneumonia and premature birth.

Regular dental checkups can pay off in other ways too. Dentists can spot signs of diabetes, heart disease and cancer.All of which means that your dentist can do much more than save your teeth and gums.

If more people realized the consequences of not taking care of their teeth and gums, they'd probably call a dentist tomorrow.

Healthy teeth and gums let us talk, smile, laugh and kiss without embarrassment.

So to have not only a perfect smile but a healthy body don't forget these simple rules: brush your teeth twice a day, rinse, floss once per day, get regular checkups and eat healthy.