There are several things you can do to keep your smile healthy. Eating fresh fruits and veggies, lean meat, fish, and dairy will provide your teeth with the nutrients they need. Visiting your dentist every six months will allow them to identify and treat oral health issues as soon as possible. And, of course, brushing and flossing your teeth at home will lower your risk of cavities, gum disease, and other oral health problems. Though you may think brushing your teeth hard is the best way to ensure you remove all the plaque, this isn’t the case. Read on to learn about how overbrushing can harm your smile and signs that you’re doing it.

Did you know that approximately one-fifth of children between the ages of five and 11 as well as 13% of teenagers between ages 12 to 19 have at least one untreated cavity? Cavities are often the cause of improper oral hygiene. Not brushing and flossing often enough allows plaque and bacteria to build up on the teeth. These bacteria feed off the sugar in the foods and drinks your child consumes and release acids that attack their enamel, therefore making their smile more susceptible to decay. Using the proper tools is essential to keeping your smile healthy, so read on to learn about toothbrushes for kids and when your child can start using an electric one.