Most people are aware of the things that they need to avoid for good dental health, such as sweets, soda pop and chewing ice, but many people are not aware that there are things that they can do to help their teeth stay strong and healthy. However, there are a number of positive habits that people can develop to boost their overall dental health.

Drink More Water

Drinking more water is healthy for the entire body, including teeth. Drinking water helps to clean the mouth by rinsing food particles from between teeth and gums. This is especially important after meals or sugary snacks when immediate tooth brushing is not an option. Staying properly hydrated will also help to keep gums and other mouth tissue healthy.

Eat a Balanced Diet

Eating a balanced diet is important for overall health, but it is also necessary for dental health. The body needs calcium and vitamin D to build strong teeth and jaw bones, vitamin C to fight off oral infections and folic acid to build cells in the mouth. Crisp produce, such as apples and celery, work as natural tooth cleaners when they are chewed, helping to keep teeth clean and healthy.

Brush After Meals

Brushing each morning and evening is a good start, but it is best for a person to brush his or her teeth after every meal. During meals, food particles can become stuck to or stuck between teeth. If left against the teeth, these food particles can quickly begin to break down and form odor causing bacteria and begin to damage teeth. Even if toothpaste is not available, brushing with water alone after meals will still remove the majority of food particles left in the mouth after eating.

Floss Regularly

A person should floss their teeth at least one a day. Ideally, a person who is flossing once a day will do so before brushing his or her teeth in the evening. Flossing helps to loosen and remove particles that have become stuck between the teeth. It is best to brush after flossing in order to complete a thorough job of cleaning the teeth. Flossing should also be completed after eating meals that are likely to leave food stuck in the teeth, such as red meat, nuts and bread.

Professional Dental Care

Though a person who takes proper care of his or her teeth can expect to have few dental problems, dental problems can still occur. To deal with these problems in a timely manner, it is important for people to see a dentist on a regular basis. Patients should visit the dentist at least annually, but every six months is better. Frequent visits allow problems to be found and corrected before they get worse and provides a person the opportunity to have his or her teeth professionally cleaned.