See the dentist regularly
Get routine dental checkups and cleanings, and brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste in between.
- How often
- Yearly
- Time
- About an hour
- Recommended for
- 1 factor
How to do it
- Book routine checkups and professional cleanings, as often as your dentist recommends for you. Some people need one or two visits a year, others more.
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
- Clean between your teeth once a day with floss or another interdental cleaner.
- Limit sweets and sugary drinks such as soda.
- If you smoke, ask your dentist or doctor about quitting. Smoking raises your risk of gum disease.
Why it helps
Tooth decay and gum disease often don't hurt until they are advanced. Regular cleanings remove hardened plaque that brushing misses, and checkups catch problems while they are small and cheaper to fix.