Simple tips for healthy teeth from Bolivar Missouri Dentist, Bolivar Smiles; as recommended by American Dental Association .

• Brush your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth daily with floss or an inter dental cleaner. This takes just a few minutes a day. Use a correct toothbrush, and brush and floss correctly.
• Eat a balanced diet for good overall health, selecting a variety of foods from the five main food groups (bread, cereals, and other grain products; fruits; vegetables; meat, poultry, fish and alternatives; milk, cheese, and yogurt), and limit snacks.
• See your dentist regularly for a dental examination and professional cleaning – a key to helping prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
• If you experience the following, then you have chances of a periodontal disease:
• Gums bleeding during brushing
• Red and/or swollen gums
• Gums that have pulled away from the teeth, Pus between the teeth and gums
• Bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Ask your dentist about cosmetic options for improving the appearance of teeth that are stained or chipped.
• Don’t use tobacco products; they can increase your risk of gum disease and cancer of the mouth and throat.
• Don’t chew on hard objects that could crack a tooth.
• Don’t ignore gums that bleed when you brush or floss or changes in the way your teeth fit together when you bite.
• Wear a mouth guard when playing active sports.