To have pleasant breath and a sweet smile, you need a clean mouth. Taking proper care of your teeth is important and helps preventing various problems, as you get older. Dental care includes follow up a healthy diet, cleaning your teeth after eating, and having complete dental examination on a regular basis.

The mouth is a busy place, with millions of bacteria continuously on the move. Some of them (bacteria) are risk-free, while others can harm your teeth as well as gums, and are called plaque, which is the main cause of gum disease. Brushing and flossing your teeth will pull out plaque, which causes bad breath, tooth decay and various gum diseases. To have a clean mouth you must remove the plaque from between the teeth and under the gum line. If not removed, plaque builds on the teeth and eventually irritates the gums and causes bleeding. Here are some tips to keep your teeth strong: -

- Brush teeth, tongue and gums at least twice a day for two to three minutes.

- Having a brushing habit after breakfast enhances your chances of proper plaque removal.

- Debris and bacteria collected on your tongue can cause bad breath. Brushing your tongue will freshen up your breath.

- Change your toothbrush every 2-3 months, and after a cold or any communicable disease.

- Visit your dentist after 6-9 months for complete check up to keep your teeth extra clean, and free from tooth problems.

- Put limit on sugary or starchy foods and drinks. To get fluoride, drink tap water daily.