Other tips for maintaining sound dental health include:

• Limit snacking. When people eat foods containing simple or complex sugars (e.g., bread, candy, cookies, sodas), bacteria in dental plaque begin to feed on the food particles. This creates an acid that eats away at the enamel of a person’s teeth for 20 minutes or more each time a person eats. This erosion is the major cause of dental problems such as tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease. Frequent snacking is particularly bad for oral health, because the cycle of enamel destruction repeats with each snacking session. In addition, people do not commonly brush their teeth after snacking. Brushing after snacking will help to interrupt the enamel destruction cycle.
  
  
• Drink fluoridated water when possible. Many communities in the United States add fluoride to public water systems to help protect teeth against decay. People who live in communities that do not add fluoride to the water are urged to consult with a dentist about whether they should receive fluoride from alternate sources (such as fluoride supplements, treatments, gels, mouthwash or toothpastes).
  
  
• Do not use tobacco. Smoking or use of smokeless tobacco can significantly impact a person’s oral health. Oral cancer and periodontal disease are among the most serious oral health problems associated with tobacco use. Other conditions associated with tobacco use include tooth decay, bad breath (halitosis) and stains on the teeth.
  
  
• Perform a self-examination of the mouth weekly. Patients are often able to identify changes in their mouths that may require the attention of a dentist. These include swollen gums, chipped or discolored teeth, and sores or lesions on the gums, cheeks or tongue. Self-examinations are particularly important for tobacco users so they can detect early signs of oral cancer, such as swelling, numbness, sores or lumps in the mouth. In addition, diseases that affect the immune system, such as AIDS and diabetes, often first become apparent when mouth sores and other oral problems appear.
  
  
• Replace toothbrush regularly. A toothbrush should be replaced every three months or whenever the bristles start to wear down. Worn bristles do not effectively clean the teeth.
  
  
• Make preparations for oral health care prior to or early in pregnancy. Whenever possible, women should have any necessary dental work performed prior to pregnancy, or between the fourth and sixth months of pregnancy.
  
  
• Begin care for children’s teeth early. From the time an infant is born, proper care of the gums and teeth is an essential part of maintaining good oral health. Dental care is important even before the teeth begin to show. After feedings, parents are urged to run a damp washcloth over the infant’s gums to keep bacteria from building up. Once teeth begin to appear, they can be brushed with a soft children’s toothbrush. Or, gauze can be rubbed over the teeth. This should be done at the end of each day. Once the child develops teeth that touch, daily flossing is also necessary. Sealants can be applied by a dentist onto permanent molars to help prevent tooth decay.