Make sure you:

• Drink water that contains added fluoride if you can. Fluoride protects against dental decay. Most public water systems in the United States have added fluoride. Check with your community’s water or health department to find out if there is fluoride in your water. You also may want to use a fluoride mouth rinse, along with brushing and flossing, to help prevent tooth decay.
• Gently brush all sides of your teeth with a soft-bristled brush. Round and short back-and-forth strokes work best.
• Take time to brush along the gum line, and lightly brush your tongue to help remove plaque and food.
• Ask your dentist or dental hygienist to show you the best way to floss your teeth.
• Change your toothbrush every three months, or earlier if the toothbrush looks worn or the bristles spread out. A new toothbrush removes more plaque.
• If you wear dentures, be sure to remove them at night and clean them before putting them back in the next morning.

• Eat healthy meals. Cut down on tooth decay by brushing after meals. Avoid snacking on sugary or starchy foods between meals.
• Don’t smoke. It raises your risk of gum disease, oral and throat cancers and oral fungal infections. It also affects the color of your teeth and the smell of your breath.
• Limit alcohol use to one drink per day for women. Heavy alcohol use raises your risk of oral and throat cancers. Using alcohol and tobacco together raises your risk of oral cancers more than using one alone.
• Limit how much of soda you drink. Even diet soda contains acids that can erode tooth enamel.

Have an oral exam once or twice a year. Your dentist may recommend more or fewer visits depending on your oral health. At most routine visits, the dentist and a dental hygienist will treat you. During regular checkups, dentists look for signs of diseases, infections, problems, injuries and oral cancer.

See your dentist right away if:

• Your gums bleed often
• You see any red or white patches on the gums, tongue or floor of the mouth
• You have mouth or jaw pain that won’t go away
• You have sores that do not heal within 2 weeks
• You have problems swallowing or chewing

Besides your dentist, other types of dental providers include:

• Dental hygienists: members of the dental staff who clean gums and teeth and teach patients how to maintain good oral health
• Periodontists: dentists who treat gum disease and place dental implants
• Oral surgeons: dentists who operate on your mouth and supporting tissues
• Orthodontists: dentists who straighten teeth and align jaws
• Endodontists: dentists who perform root canals
• Prosthodontists: dentists trained in restoring and replacing teeth

Your dentist may suggest ways to keep your mouth healthy. He or she can teach you how to properly floss or brush. Follow any recommended steps or treatments to keep your mouth healthy.

If you take medicines that give you a dry mouth, ask your doctor or nurse if there are other drugs you can use. Have an oral exam before starting cancer treatment. And if you have diabetes, practice good oral hygiene to prevent gum disease.