Brushing and Flossing The purpose is to remove plaque that forms naturally on your teeth and gums. You want to remove the soft plaque before it turns into hard tartar. Brush with a soft toothbrush with fluoride toothpaste at least 2 times a day for at least 2 minutes each (although it is better to brush after every meal). Floss at least once a day.

Brushing Hold the toothbrush at a 45 degree angle to the gumline and brush in a gentle circular motion. Brush the outside surfaces, the inside surfaces, and when cleaning the inner surfaces of the upper and lower front teeth, use the tip of the toothbrush. Brushing your tongue removes bacteria that naturally collects on the surface of your tongue. This helps eliminate sulfur by-product causing bacteria which can cause bad breath.

Flossing Wrap approximately 18 inches of floss loosely around your middle fingers. Hold the floss between your thumb and index finger to create a one inch area of tension. Make a C shape around the back of the last tooth and scrape up and down into the gumline to remove plaque. Come one tooth forward and work the floss between the teeth, making a C shape around one tooth and then the other. Scrape up and down the length of one tooth, following it into the gumline to remove plaque. Wrap the floss in a C shape around the other tooth and scrape up and down the length of the tooth, following it into the gumline to remove plaque.

Sealants Sealants are thin liquid plastic coatings applied to children's permanent back teeth. A sealant is painted onto a tooth and hardened with a special light.  After the sealant is applied, it shields bacteria and food from seeping into the grooves on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth.  This helps prevent cavities. Grinding Many people tend to clench or grind their teeth. Stress is one of the factors known to cause clenching and grinding. Because some people grind in their sleep, they may not even be aware that they grind. Some of the symptoms to look for are: sore, tired jaws when you wake up dull headaches earache sensitive teeth Some of the damage caused by grinding can include: chipped teeth flattened, worn down teeth loosened teeth cracked teeth A common treatment is a mouth guard, which is a plastic mouthpiece custom made to fit over either your upper or lower teeth. It is a physical barrier to prevent tooth to tooth grinding damage.