Proper Brushing
Brushing at least twice a day is perhaps the most important aspect of effective dental hygiene at home. To get the most benefit from you brushing routine, the are four simple points to keep in mind:

• Use a soft to medium toothbrush
• Use a toothpaste with fluoride
• Maintain the correct brushing angle
• Brush in a pattern

A soft toothbrush makes it much easier to remove the plaque below the gum line, where periodontal disease starts. A toothpaste that contains fluoride will help harden the outer enamel layer of your teeth. Position the brush at a 45 degree angle where your gums and teeth meet. Use the tip to brush the backs of the front teeth, using a vertical motion. As you brush, let the bristles apply gentle pressure to your gums.
If you develop a systematic pattern for your brushing, you will help assure that every tooth and surface gets attention. You might start with the insides of the upper teeth, then go to the insides of the lower teeth. Go on to the outsides of the upper teeth and then to the lower. Brush the chewing surfaces of you upper, then lower, teeth, and end by gently brushing your tongue and even the roof of your mouth. (top of page)

Floss, Floss, Floss
We all know we should, but studies show that two-thirds of us don’t -- despite the fact that their dental hygienists have been actively encouraging the flossing habit for over 80 years. Flossing will help you keep you teeth healthy, keep your teeth longer, and even help you stay healthier in general.
If you think you can’t be bothered, you really should think again: gum disease is much bigger bother. In fact, the consequences of periodontal (gum) disease can be much more threatening than you might imagine. Harmful bacteria can enter the bloodstream through gums compromised by disease, creating the potential for a variety of serious conditions. (top of page)

Change Your Toothbrush!
As a rule you should replace your toothbrush at least every three months. Toothbrush bristles wear down relatively quickly. Once they're frayed and bent, they can't slide under the tissues to clean under the gum line, so they don't clean your teeth as well as they should. In addition to being inefficient for cleaning your teeth, old, frayed bristles can actually harbor more, bacteria and other potentially harmful microorganisms. It’s a small investment with a guaranteed upside. (top of page)

Choosing Toothpaste
The good news is that a wide variety of toothpaste formulations are available. The bad news could be that it makes choosing the best option a bit more difficult: Tartar-control or whitening? Gingivitis-fighting or enamel-protecting? With baking soda and peroxide, or without? With "natural" ingredients, or with the newest antibacterial agent? And do you really need fluoride?
The bottom line is that toothpaste need to clean your teeth, without being too rough or "abrasive." It should remove the film of bacteria and saliva call “plaque” that can lead to decay and gum disease. If plaque stays on your teeth, it will harden into a tough, yellowish, bacteria-laden coating called “tartar.” Once on your teeth, the only way to get rid of tartar is to have it professionally removed.
One question about toothpaste is easily answered – choose and use a toothpaste with fluoride. Being helping to build a stronger enamel surface, fluoride is an essential defense against the development of tooth decay. The ADA recommends that you start with a moderately abrasive toothpaste, since these provide superior cleaning properties. As marketed, these brands are often identified as “whitening”?and may contain baking soda. The presence of peroxide indicates a whitening formulation.
Some people, because of their body chemistry, insufficient dental hygiene, or a combination of the two, accumulate tartar more rapidly than others. If you think you fall into this category, try a tartar-control toothpaste. These brands are typically less abrasive because gums may have become more sensitive. (top of page)

Ouch! Sensitive Teeth?
Does it hurt when you take a bit of ice cream or drink something icy? Sensitive teeth – known as dentin hypersensitivity – are a common occurrence resulting from a thinning of a tooth’s enamel surface.
Enamel is just one component of a tooth’s outer surface. Dentin is the layer just beneath the enamel, on the portion of a tooth that is above the gums. Cementum is the hard outer layer of the lower portion of a tooth that exists beneath the gums. Teeth become sensitive when the enamel thins and exposes the dentin and cementum, allowing the nerves and cells within the tooth to feel uncomfortable.
Enamel thinning can be caused by many things, including: brushing too vigorously near the gum line, gum recession or periodontal disease (meaning that the gum line probably wasn’t brushed vigorously enough!), tooth decay, tooth grinding, corrosion caused by chemicals or digestive acids.
Fortunately, there are treatments available for sensitive teeth. A simple first step is using a toothpaste formulated for sensitive teeth. The downside to these products is that they don't take effect until they've been used for several days, so they don't offer immediate relief.
A more long-term solution would be to apply fluoride to the damaged enamel portion of your tooth, binding to it and strengthening it so discomfort is lessened. This could either be an in-office procedure and accomplished by prescription medication. Another option is to apply a sealant or a resin coating to cover the exposed surfaces and minimize discomfort. (top of page)

Sealants
Sealants have become an important part of a preventive dental care program. A typical sealant is a clear or white plastic coating that is placed in the grooves of the biting surfaces of back teeth. Back teeth have deep grooves and pits that are very difficult to keep clean. Plaque, which is a nearly invisible film of bacteria and food, collects there. Every time you eat, the bacteria in plaque forms acid, and without sealants, these acid attacks can cause the enamel to break down and decay. The result is a cavity.
To place sealants, first your dentist thoroughly cleans and dries the teeth. A conditioning solution is applied, and then the sealant material is brushed into the grooves of the teeth. The one-time application is very long-lasting. (top of page)

A Look at X-Rays
A full-mouth series of x-rays is a necessary first step in a thorough dental examination. X-rays reveal cavities between teeth, worn-out fillings and crowns, tartar on the roots, and receding bone levels or abscesses. The complete set provides a baseline for comparisons on an ongoing dental health program. A typical full series includes 18 separate film images throughout your mouth. Dental x-rays use high-speed film, so the amount of radiation exposure is very low. A lead apron is draped over you to protect the rest of your. A full series of x-rays only amounts to as much radiation as you'd get from about eight weeks of everyday natural background radiation. (top of page)

Old Fillings
Many of us have fillings in our mouths that date back many years, even to our childhood. These fillings may now be old, dark, unattractive, and possibly defective. Over time, the space between the tooth and filling may eventually open and allow bacteria and food debris to enter, potentially causing dental decay. It is definitely worthwhile to your fillings evaluated to see if the require replacement. Also, you may simply want to replace fillings that are unattractive.
There are many state-of-the-art materials and procedures available today that are quick, cost effective for replacing old, unattractive or defective fillings.
Composite (bonding) fillings can be closely matched to the color of your existing teeth. They are particularly well suited for use in front teeth or visible parts of teeth.
Crowns (caps) are used when a tooth is too damaged to be repaired with a filling. A crown encases the entire tooth surface restoring it to its original shape and size.
Inlays/Onlays are restorations are custom made fillings. They can be made of composite resin, porcelain or gold. Inlays/onlays are usually best for molars that have had large fillings or have been damaged.
Porcelain veneers are used primarily in the front teeth. They are very thin shells of tooth-shaped porcelain that are individually crafted and permanently cemented to the front surface of teeth. They are a great solution for fixing discolored, pitted, shipped, malformed, or slightly crooked teeth. Veneers are also used if you have unwanted spaces. Veneers are very durable, natural looking, and do not stain. (top of page)

What About Amalgam Fillings?
Over the years there has been some concern as to the safety of amalgam (silver) fillings. An amalgam is a blend of copper, silver, tin and zinc, bound by elemental mercury. Dentists have used this blended metal to fill teeth for more than 100 years. The controversy is due to claims that the exposure to the vapor and minute particles from the mercury can cause a variety of health problems. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), up to 76% of dentists use silver containing mercury to fill teeth. The ADA also states that silver fillings are safe and that studies have failed to find any link between silver containing mercury and any medical disorder. The general consensus is that amalgam (silver) fillings are safe. (top of page)