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We all know that food comes in through our mouth. Chewing the food is the first process of the body’s digestive system. The teeth that line our mouth serve the function of chewing well. The front teeth serve to tear off the food while the back teeth tear it into manageable pieces which are then further broken down in our stomach. We also show our teeth when we smile and bad looking teeth can turn people off. Maintaining proper dental health is a necessary component and will help you keep your teeth for a long portion of your life.

A dental health routine should include three parts, brushing, rinsing, and flossing. Preferably in that order. Some dentists recommend brushing after every meal, others twice a day. Either answer is correct and which one you choose is a matter of individual preference.

Brushing your teeth is a fairly simple affair and the brush should be held at an angle and rubbed vigorously back and forth across the enamel of your teeth. The fronts, tops, and back of the teeth should be going over for a period of about 2 minutes. (30 seconds for each section.) Use a toothpaste with mild abrasives to move the plaque off the teeth. Brushing the tongue helps control bad breath.

The next step in a daily routine to maintain dental health is rinsing. Rinsing simply removes the toothpaste out of the mouth. Adding a fluoride rinse can help strengthen the teeth, or you can use an antibacterial mouthwash like Listerine can prevent gum diseases like gingivitis. Pour the chosen rinse into a cup, swish it around in your mouth for thirty seconds and spit it back out.

Thanks to better at-home care and in-office dental treatments, more people than ever before are keeping their teeth throughout their lives. Although some diseases and conditions can make dental disease and tooth loss more likely, most of us have a good deal of control over whether we keep our teeth into old age.

The most important thing you can do to maintain good oral health is to brush and floss your teeth regularly.

Most mouth woes are caused by plaque, that sticky layer of microorganisms, food particles and other organic matter that forms on your teeth. Bacteria in plaque produce acids that cause cavities. Plaque also leads to periodontal (gum) disease, a potentially serious infection that can erode bone and destroy the tissues surrounding teeth.

The best defense is to remove plaque daily before it has a chance to build up and cause problems. Brushing removes plaque from the large surfaces of the teeth and, if done correctly, from just under the gums. Flossing removes plaque between teeth.

What is basic dental care?
Basic dental care involves brushing and flossing your teeth regularly, seeing your dentist and/or dental hygienist for regular checkups and cleanings, and eating a mouth-healthy diet, which means foods high in whole grains, vegetables and fruits, and dairy products.

Why is basic dental care important?
Practicing basic dental care:

Prevents tooth decay.
Prevents gum (periodontal) disease , which can damage gum tissue and the bones that support teeth , and in the long term can lead to the loss of teeth.
Shortens time with the dentist and dental hygienist, and makes the trip more pleasant.
Saves money. By preventing tooth decay and gum disease, you can reduce the need for fillings and other costly procedures.
Helps prevent bad breath. Brushing and flossing rid your mouth of the bacteria that cause bad breath.
Helps keep teeth white by preventing staining from food, drinks, and tobacco.
Improves overall health.
Makes it possible for your teeth to last a lifetime.
Are there ways to avoid dental problems?
Keeping your teeth and gums healthy requires good nutrition and regular brushing and flossing.

Brush your teeth twice a day�in the morning and before bed�and floss once a day. This removes plaque, which can lead to damaged teeth, gums, and surrounding bone.
Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride, which helps prevent tooth decay and cavities. Ask your dentist if you need a mouthwash that contains fluoride or one with ingredients that fight plaque. Look for toothpastes that have been approved by the American Dental Association.
Avoid foods that contain a lot of sugar. Sugar helps plaque grow.
Avoid using tobacco products, which can cause gum disease and oral cancer. Exposure to tobacco smoke (secondhand smoke) also may cause gum disease, as well as other health problems.1
Practice tongue cleaning. You can use a tongue cleaner or a soft-bristle toothbrush, stroking in a back-to-front direction. Tongue cleaning is particularly important for people who smoke or whose tongues are coated or deeply grooved.
Schedule regular trips to the dentist based on how often you need exams and cleaning.
When should my child start seeing a dentist?
By the time your child is 6 months of age, your doctor should assess the likelihood of your child having future dental problems.2 If he or she thinks your child will have dental problems, be sure your child sees a dentist before his or her first birthday or 6 months after the first primary teeth appear , whichever comes first. After your first visit, schedule regular visits every 6 months or as your dentist recommends.

Experts recommend that your child’s dental care start at 12 months of age.2 If your baby has dental problems caused by injury, disease, or a developmental problem, see your pediatric dentist right away.

Frequently Asked Questions
Learning about basic dental care:
What is basic dental care?
How do I choose a dentist for my child?
Can I find out about dental problems early?

Being diagnosed:
How will my dentist examine my teeth?
When should my child start dental care?

Getting treatment:
How will my dentist care for my teeth?
What is the best way to brush and floss my teeth?
How does what I eat affect my dental health?

Ongoing concerns:
What is it like to get a filling?
Will my child need fluoride?
Does teeth whitening work?
How can I deal with being nervous about going to the dentist?
What special concerns do older adults have?
How do I pick a dentist for my child?

The Sacramento Bee

As a pediatric dentist, Dr. James Musser sees many cautionary tales.

In his 26 years of practice in Sacramento County, Musser has on occasion placed stainless steel crowns on all of a young patient’s rotted baby teeth. Sometimes these tiny teeth are so decayed they are unsalvageable, and he must remove them all.

“Parents think they get a free ride on the first set,” Musser said. “But baby teeth can decay and abscess, and the child can go through severe pain.”

Musser sees some of the most serious cases in the county because he is one of the few pediatric specialists able to administer the general anesthesia that many of the patients referred to him require during treatment.

Tooth decay is children’s worst chronic health problem, a “hidden epidemic,” according to the Dental Health Foundation’s 2006 “California Smile Survey.”

And dental health officials say the problem will only get worse with a 10 percent cut to Medi-Cal that took effect statewide Tuesday as part of the state’s effort to deal with the state budget deficit.

In Sacramento, Yolo, Amador, El Dorado and Placer counties, about 65 percent of children living in poverty do not have adequate access to dental care, according to the Sacramento District Dental Foundation. Statewide studies have shown that poor access is the result of lack of insurance and a limited number of dentists providing care for uninsured or underinsured patients.

Across California, children have more dental problems than children in most other states, according to the Smile Survey.