What is good Oral Hygiene ?
	Top Ten Tips
	Caring for your teeth
	Facts to wow your friends with

Useful Resources

	British Dental Health Foundation
	BDA Smile
	3D Education

Minty Pearl's Top Ten Tips

1. Brush twice a day.
   Brushing is the key to good dental health, fighting gum disease and a healthy, beautiful smile for life. Remember to brush twice a day for at least two minutes morning and night, giving attention to the gum line with small circular movements.
    
2. Floss before brushing.
   Flossing helps remove food particles that get stuck between your teeth. If these particles remain on the tooth surface, it can lead to dental health problems such as cavities, gum disease and gingivitis. It is best to floss before brushing to remove plaque and loosen debris from the tooth surface.
    
3. Get dental check-ups twice a year.
   Visiting the dentist twice a year for professional cleanings is imperative for dental health and to maintain your healthy, beautiful smile. It is especially important for women who take birth control pills, or who are pregnant or menopausal, as they have an increased susceptibility to oral care problems such as gum disease, tooth decay and cavities.
    
4. Limit caffeine and alcohol intake.
   Although they contain a high level of phosphorous, which is a necessary mineral for a healthy mouth, too much phosphorous can deplete the body's level of calcium. This causes dental health problems such as tooth decay and gum disease. Therefore, it is best to choose drinks like milk, which helps strengthen teeth and build stronger enamel, giving you a healthy, beautiful smile.
    
5. Stop Smoking
   Smoking cigarettes is one of the greatest contributors to the aging mouth. In addition to staining teeth, smoking interrupts calcium absorption in the body and can also cause potentially life-threatening diseases such as oral cancer. So stop smoking and enjoy the health benefits as well as a healthy, beautiful smile.
   
6. Visit your dentist before becoming pregnant.
   Expectant mothers can suffer from pregnancy gingivitis caused by hormonal changes and increased blood flow in the body.  Tell your dentist if you plan to become pregnant and they will advise you on your best dental care plan, including periodontal screenings for gum disease. They should also schedule regular dental check-ups throughout their pregnancy to help diagnose and treat related dental health conditions.
    
7. Increase your calcium intake.
   After the age of 30, women experience a 25 percent reduction in bone density. Restore lost calcium with a daily supplement and by eating fruits and vegetables high in calcium, such as dark leafy greens. These foods will also help to lower the acid buildup in the saliva that can lead to breakdown of tooth enamel.
   
    
8. Sleep at least 8 hours a night.
   Sleep allows the body to be replenished and renewed. Plus, you're more likely to flash your healthy, beautiful smile if you're well rested. Lack of sleep will cause your immune system to become run-down and depleted. This leaves you susceptible to infection from oral bacteria in your mouth.
    
9. Take a daily dose of vitamins C and D.
   Vitamins C and D help support the absorption of healthy mouth minerals such as calcium and phosphorous, which support the bone and gum tissue, keeping it healthy. This is an easy way to maintain dental health and fight gum disease.
    
10. Use the right toothbrush.
    Whether for children or adults, there are a variety of toothbrushes to meet all your dental needs. It’s important to select just the right toothbrush so look for one that will give you the clean you need with comfort and control. Getting a healthy, beautiful smile by using the correct toothbrush is easy.