1. Brush teeth after every meal or at least twice a day before bedtime and every morning.

2. Change your toothbrush every 3-4 months or after a sever cold or flu.

3. Buy soft toothbrushes. Medium or hard toothbrushes may cause damage to the soft tissue around the teeth as well as the enamel.

4. Synthetic bristles on a toothbrush work better than natural ones. Natural bristles tend to split earlier and may cause severe gum irritations and in time, cause teeth to become sensitive.

5. Ask your dentist for a demonstration of the proper use of your toothbrush.

Flossing your teeth, in addition to brushing, is one of the most important aspects of a good dental hygiene. Studies throughout the world have shown that flossing regularly reduces cavities, bad breath and provide a good line of defense against periodontal and gum diseases.

In addition to removing food particles, flossing also removes plaque under the gums. Plaque is a film of mucus and bacteria that gathers on a tooth surface. Over a period of time, plaque will result in tooth decay.

Flossing in between teeth and under the gumline everyday promotes healthier gum and teeth. Remember to floss up and down between each tooth at a rate of 8 to 10 strokes per tooth.

Bacteria and dead cells in the back of the tongue are the main cause of bad breath. The most impotant thing is to keep your tongue clean. There are tongue scrapers that can be used for this purpose. Brushing and flossing regularly, help decrease bad breath. In addition, fiber rich vegatables and fruits such as celery or apples help clean the tongue surface while protein rich foods can cause bad breath.