Although many adults know that seeing their dentist regularly is an important part of maintaining good oral health, nearly half of adults skipped the dentist.

However if you do not go for yourself you may want to go for your kids, to keep from passing on a dental cavity. Make sure to make and keep your dental appointment, every adult needs to be screened for tooth decay. While warning signs such as tooth sensitivity, pain, or visible holes in teeth are cavity clues, one of the biggest mistakes often made is to avoid the dentist until you are in pain.

Regular cleaning’s can help prevent tooth decay from turning into cavities and reduce levels of cavity-causing (and cavity-spreading) bacteria in your mouth.

Many people know that colds, chickenpox, and even yawns are contagious, However did you know that dental cavities can be contagious too? Sugar-laden candy bars are not the only cause of tooth decay.

Tooth decay actually results when bacteria in your mouth feed on food debris and produce acid as a byproduct. This mix of food, acid, saliva, and germs clings to your teeth as a filmy substance called plaque, which can erode teeth enamel and cause cavities to form.

No matter what you eat, cavities will not form without the help of such bacteria. These germs can spread from mouth to mouth via shared food and utensils, sneezing, kissing, and more, according to Edward “Trey” Wilson, DDS, a dentist in private practice in New York City and New Hope, Pa. — making cavities contagious.

Choosing and maintaining your tooth brush tips.

1) When choosing a toothbrush you want to pick one with soft or extra soft bristle. The hard the brush bristles, the greater the risk of harming your teeth and gums. Therefore unless advised by your dentist soft bristled toothbrushes are the better pick.

2) Another good tip is to make sure you pick a toothbrush that has the seal of approval by the American Dental Association.

3) Keep in mind the type of brush you use is not nearly as important as brushing the right way and twice a day. Any approved toothbrush will be a good tool, but you have to know how to use it.

4) Change your toothbrush regularly. Throw away your old toothbrush after three months or when the bristles start to flare, whichever comes first.

5) If you notice that your toothbrush bristles flare sooner than every three months, It may be that you are brushing too hard. Therefore try easing up.

Do not short change your time when it comes to brushing your teeth. Two minutes is the minimum time you need to clean all of your teeth. If you need to set a timer or brush to a song on the radio. But do not skimp on brushing time. While brushing your teeth make sure to brush each tooth thoroughly.

When brushing your teeth make sure not to brush too hard. Doing so can damage your gums. Brushing too hard can cause your gums to recede. Plaque attaches to teeth like jam sticks to a spoon. It can not be totally removed by rinsing, but a light brushing will do the trick. Once plaque has hardened into calculus (tartar), brushing ca not remove it. If you think you might brush too hard, hold your toothbrush the same way you hold a pen. This encourages a lighter stroke.

It is important to brush your teeth for good oral health care but over brushing is not helpful. Therefore brush no more than three times a day. Brushing after lunch will give you a good midday cleaning. But brushing too often can damage your gums.

One of the first oral health care tip is to brush your teeth at least twice a day. One of those times should be just before you go to bed. When you sleep, your mouth gets drier. This makes it easier for acids from bacteria to attack your teeth. Then when you wake you will want to brush your teeth after breakfast. That way, bits of food are removed. But if you eat in your car or at work, or skip breakfast, brush first thing in the morning. This will get rid of the plaque that built up overnight.

It is important to visit a dentist regular in order to prevent gum disease and other oral health problems. Therefore make sure to schedule regular dental cleanings and exams. In the meantime, you will want to contact your dentist if you notice any signs or symptoms that could suggest oral health problems, such as:

• Red, tender or swollen gums
• Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
• Gums that begin pulling away from your teeth
• Loose permanent teeth
• Changes in the way your top and bottom teeth align with each other
• Unusual sensitivity to hot and cold
• Persistent bad breath or an unusual taste in your mouth
  Early detection and treatment of oral health problems with your gums, teeth and mouth can help ensure a lifetime of good oral health.

In order to get the most out of flossing, here are some flossing tips that may help you maximize your flossing.

1) Length of Floss: Do not be skimpy on the amount of floss you use. Brake off about 18 inches of dental floss. Wind most of the floss around the middle finger on one hand, and the rest around the middle finger on the other hand. Grip the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.

2) Be Gentle: Do not snap the floss into your gums or be rough when flossing. You want to guide the floss between your teeth using a rubbing motion, when the floss reaches your gumline curve it against one tooth

3) Take your time: Flossing should not be rush. Make sure to take one tooth at a time. Slide the floss into the space between your gum and tooth. Use the floss to gently rub the side of the tooth in an up-and-down motion. Unwind fresh floss as you progress to the rest of your teeth.

4) Keep it up: Flossing like brushing should be done at least twice a day every day after eating. Yet many people forget this important part of their daily dental care habit. There by only get half the benefit need for good oral health care.

Don’t Forget to Floss. Flossing is an important part of your daily dental care habits. Do not stop with brushing your teeth or you are just doing half the job. You can not reach the tight spaces between your teeth and under the gum line with a toothbrush. That is why brushing alone is not good enough, and brushing and flossing is necessary in order to maintain healthy teeth and gums.

Your toothbrush is not meant to last a life time, that why it is important to know when to replace your toothbrush. Invest in a new toothbrush or a replacement head for your electric or battery-operated toothbrush every three to four months, sooner if the brush bristles become frayed.

It is important to take proper care of your toothbrush. You want to always rinse your toothbrush with water after brushing your teeth. Store your toothbrush in an upright position, if possible, and allow it to air-dry until using it again. You do not want to routinely cover toothbrushes or store them in closed containers, doing so can encourage the growth of bacteria.

Brushing Your Teeth Correctly Can Take Some Practice.

Sometimes in order to do something well it does take some practice. Make sure you are brushing your teeth correctly and if not practice brushing you teeth so you can have good technique.

Brushing Your Teeth: You will want to hold your toothbrush at a slight angle, aim the bristles toward the area where your tooth meets your gum. Gently brush with short back-and-forth motions. Remember to brush the outside, inside and chewing surfaces of your teeth, as well as your tongue.