In an ideal setting, we would be able to brush out teeth after every meal or after every time we ate sweets. However, we clearly do not live in a world, or have lives that allow this to happen.

As a general rule, you should be brushing your teeth at least twice daily with an American Dental Association-approved toothpaste and toothbrush or after eating sugary substances. Your toothbrush should be replaced every three to four months. The correct technique is to brush for at least two minutes (a minute on the top and a minute on the bottom) in a circular motion, concentrating on the gum line. In addition, you should floss to get between the teeth.

However, this is usually not always possible. Eating out, eating in the car, traveling, and grabbing a bite on the run make it difficult to brush our teeth after we put anything in our mouth. There is good reason to be concerned with keeping teeth clean when brushing isn't a possibility. Sugar and food particles that build up on the teeth turn to an acid that slowly erodes the enamel, leading to decay and painful, costly dental procedures like fillings and even root canals.

If you don't always have access to your toothbrush, here are some tips for keeping your teeth clean when you can't brush:
1.    Chew gum. While it's not as good as brushing, chewing sugar-free gum is actually a good way to clean teeth of plaque and even food particles after eating. It also freshens breath.
2.    Floss. It's not a bad idea to keep some floss in your purse or car. Now, you can buy floss on a little pick that is portable and more convenient to use, so you don't have to worry about pulling out a long thread of floss. Once you're done with the small pick, you just toss it in the trash.
3.    Keep mouthwash on hand. While many mouthwashes are just made to mask the odor, usually for about 30 minutes. A mouthwash that contains ingredients such as cetylpyridinium chloride, chlorhexidine, sanguinarine, and phenolic compounds will work to reduce the bacteria in the mouth, making breath fresher for up to 8 hours or more. In addition, look for a mouthwash with fluoride, an ingredient that will help strengthen the teeth, and anti-tartar agents, which reduce the amount of tartar build-up in your mouth.
4.    Rinse with water. If you don't have access to anything but water, that's fine too - swishing water around in your mouth can also help to clean teeth and remove surface food particles.
5.    Consider using tooth wipes. There are textured tooth wipes you can purchase at the drugstores that work well for cleaning your teeth while you wait to get to a toothbrush. These don't require any liquid; you simply rub them on the surface of your teeth.

Keeping teeth clean is the most important way to prevent tooth decay. But when it's not possible to brush your teeth, the above tips will help you to get your teeth as clean as possible until you can brush them.

Brushing your teeth is perhaps the best way to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Regular brushing of the teeth, when combined with flossing, can help to combat plaque and tartar build-up, which can result in cavities and other more serious problems if left unchecked.

Experts recommend you brush at least twice a day, preferably after every meal. In order for brushing to be truly effective, there are a number of techniques that should be followed.

Proper brushing technique is to brush your teeth for at least two minutes (a minute on the top and a minute on the bottom). You should brush your teeth in a circular motion, concentrating on the gum line. As a general rule, the following pattern should be adhered to:
    First, brush the outer surfaces of your upper teeth, then your lower teeth
    Next, brush the inner surfaces of your upper teeth, then your lower teeth
    Brush the chewing surfaces of your upper and lower teeth, mainly the flat part of your back teeth.
    You should also brush your tongue as well. This can help to freshen breath by removing plaque build-up on the tongue.

With regards to the kind of toothbrush to use, the best ones have soft nylon bristles. Toothbrushes should be replaced every 3 or 4 months or after you are ill. You may also want to consider an electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes have certain advantages over manual toothbrushes, in that they cover more area faster. As a general rule, they are recommended for people who have limited use of their hands, such as from arthritis. Studies show that people who use electric toothbrushes are also more likely to brush longer, so it could be advantageous.

The toothpaste you use is also important. There are a wide variety of toothpastes on the market, from those that are specially formulated for sensitive teeth to whitening toothpastes to flavored kinds. The type you choose depends on your individual needs. Regardless of the type of toothpaste you use, it should contain fluoride and other cavity and tartar-fighting ingredients. Always make sure your toothpaste as well as your toothbrush are approved by the American Dental Association.

It is also recommended that you floss at least once a day. You should always floss before you brush. Practice proper flossing techniques by pulling the floss taut and pinching it between your thumbs and index fingers. Keep the floss in the center taut, and then slowly and gently work floss between your teeth and down to the gum line. Once you are finished flossing, brush your teeth.

Make sure to floss gently, and avoid snapping the floss into your gums. This can cause damage and bleeding to your gums. In addition, do not pull floss back and forth against the gums. This can be painful if your gums are sensitive and can also cause damage to your gums.

Brushing our teeth is something we do every day, but it's important to follow the proper brushing techniques for the most effective results.

Long has been the debate over whether or not fluoride does more harm than good.  The American Dental Association says that over the course of studying dental health in the last 50 years that there has been a significant drop in tooth decay.  They attribute this decline in decay to fluoride and fluoridated drinking water.  The FDA on the other hand has not yet approved the statements and claims of the ADA.  In fact the FDA has issued warnings against the dangers that can result from improperly using fluoridated products and supplements.

So how is fluoride enhanced toothpaste different from other fluoride supplements including fluoridated water?  One of the biggest differences is that fluoride enhanced toothpastes are not meant to be ingested.  The fluoride is meant to be applied to the surface of the teeth and not consumed.  There are typically two categories of topical tooth treatments.  The ones that are sold over the counter and kept in your family's medicine cabinet, and the treatment that you can only find in your dentist's office.

Toothpastes and mouthwashes
Toothpaste containing fluoride has been used since 1960.  Since that time there has been a significant drop among users of fluoride-containing toothpaste in the level of cavities.  The American Dental Association recommends that all people over the age of two years old use toothpaste with fluoride.  Parents of children younger than the age of two should consult with their dentist about how to care for their toddler's teeth.  In addition to toothpastes there are also mouth rinses or washes that contain fluoride.  Mouthwashes are intended to be held in the mouth for a period of a few seconds and then to be spit out again.  Mouthwashes are not intended to be swallowed.  Various kinds of mouthwashes are available over the counter or by prescription.   The ADA recommends mouthwashes for all people above 6 years of age.  Those younger than 6 years old may not be able to use a mouthwash without swallowing it. 

Applied by a dentist
Special fluoride gels, foams or rinses can be applied to the teeth during a regular dental visit.  Typically the fluoride treatments that you would receive in a dentist's office are more concentrated than those you would find in a toothpaste or mouthwash.  It is therefore only necessary to receive fluoride treatment from your dentist every once in a while.  Although there is no ADA accepted dental office mouthwash, what dentists do is apply the fluoride to the teeth by putting the fluoride substance in a tray and allowing your teeth to soak in the product.  

Toothpaste tube warnings
As with any supplement there are dangers to using fluoride improperly.  Fluoride in toothpaste is intended for topical application only.  Toothpaste should not be swallowed.  You should rinse your mouth out well after brushing and you should teach your children to do the same.  As a reminder the following message has been printed on toothpaste tubes containing fluoride:

"WARNINGS: Keep out of reach of children under 6 years of age. If you accidentally swallow more than used for brushing, seek professional or contact a Poison Control Center immediately."

Fluoride, although helpful, will not prevent tooth decay unconditionally.  Fluoride will not change the consequences of a poor diet nor will it fight already existing damage.  Fluoride is just one of the tools used to maintain good oral health.  Taking care of the other aspects, such as lifestyle, that affect your teeth is up to the individual consumer

Brushing teeth is one of the most, if not the most, important things you can do yourself to keep your teeth and gums healthy. In conjunction with flossing, proper and regular brushing fights plaque and gum disease and prevents more serious problems.

Part of proper brushing includes picking out the right toothbrush. But if you go to the store to pick up a toothbrush, you're likely to be inundated with choices. Angled heads, soft bristles, hard bristles, electric, and all sorts of features can make it difficult to choose a toothbrush. However, choosing the right toothbrush is important, as it can have an impact on how clean your teeth become.

When deciding on the right toothbrush, there are a number of things to take into consideration, including:
    Bristles. This is probably the most important factor when choosing a toothbrush. Most toothbrushes come in either soft, medium, or hard bristles. You should choose a toothbrush that has soft nylon bristles, as they will last longer and not hurt the gums, no matter how hard you brush. Contrary to what some may believe, harder bristles do not clean the teeth any better and can actually damage the gums.
    Angle. As a general rule, angled bristles may be more effective at reaching hard-to-reach places in the mouth than flat brushes. You may want to get a toothbrush with an angled mouth that will be able to reach the teeth in the very back of the mouth.
    Size of head. The size of the brush head is also important. If you're choosing a toothbrush for a child, be sure to get a toothbrush designed specifically for children; there are a number of varieties for different age groups. The brush head should fit comfortably in the mouth and be small enough to reach harder-to-reach places.
    Choose a comfortable handle. Many toothbrushes now have rubber handles, which make it more comfortable to grip and less likely to slip out of your hands when wet.

What about electric toothbrushes?
There have been conflicting studies on the effectiveness of electric brushes in removing plaque build-up: some say they remove more, other studies claim there is no difference. In the end, an electric toothbrush is simply a personal preference. Electric toothbrushes have certain advantages over manual toothbrushes, in that they cover more area faster. As a general rule, they are recommended for people who have limited use of their hands, such as from arthritis. Studies show that people who use electric toothbrushes are also more likely to brush longer, so it could be advantageous.

Once you have chosen the proper toothbrush, be sure to brush properly. Experts recommend you brush teeth at least twice daily with an American Dental Association-approved toothpaste. Your toothbrush should be replaced every three to four months. Proper brushing technique is to brush for at least two minutes (a minute on the top and a minute on the bottom) in a circular motion, concentrating on the gum line.

While the choices may seem overwhelming, following the above guidelines will help you to choose the most effective toothbrush.