Oral health tips for adults

You can keep your teeth for your lifetime. Here are some things you can do to maintain a healthy mouth and strong teeth.
Brush with fluoride toothpaste.
Practice good oral hygiene. Brush teeth thoroughly and floss between the teeth to remove dental plaque.
Visit your dentist on a regular basis, even if you have no natural teeth or have dentures.
Do not use any tobacco products. If you smoke, quit.
Limit alcoholic drinks.
If you have diabetes, work to maintain control of the disease. This will decrease risk for other complications, including gum disease.
If your medication causes dry mouth, ask your doctor for a different medication that may not cause this condition. If dry mouth cannot be avoided, drink plenty of water, chew sugarless gum, and avoid tobacco products and alcohol.
See your doctor or a dentist if you have sudden changes in taste and smell.
When acting as a caregiver, help older individuals brush and floss their teeth if they are not able to perform these activities independently.
Here are a few additional tips for maintaining healthy teeth and gums.
Reduce the daily amount of sweetened drinks.
Drink plenty of with meals, and along with sweetened beverages to wash away the sugar and acids.
Use a straw to help reducing the contact of sweetened beverages with your teeth.
Supplement (or replace) sugary drinks with milk, yogurt, or water.

Protect your child’s teeth by following the tips

Make sure your child brushes their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
By the time your child is 1 year of age, Indian Medical Assosiation recommends that your child visit a dentist for an initial check-up.
If your child is younger than 2 years, consult first with your doctor or dentist regarding the use of fluoride toothpaste. Clean your child’s teeth every day as soon as the first tooth appears by brushing without toothpaste with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush and plain water.
If your child is younger than 6 years, watch your child brush their teeth. Make sure your child only uses a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and always spits it out rather than swallows it. Help your child brush until she has good brushing skills.

Brushing teeth is an integral part of the oral hygiene routine. For a healthy mouth and smile, it is imperative to:
Brush teeth twice a day with a soft bristled toothbrush . The size and shape of the brush should fit one's mouth so that it reaches all areas easily.
Replace the toothbrush every three or four months or sooner if the bristles are frayed
Use a toothpaste having appropriate fluoride content (IDA specified)
Place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to gums.
Move the brush back and forth gently in short strokes.
Brush the outer surfaces, the inside surfaces and the chewing surfaces of all teeth.
Brush your tounge to remove bacteria and keep your breath fresh.
To clean the inside surface of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make serveral up-and-down strokes.