We are facing an increasing problem in our country.  People are not taking care of their bodies and as a result more people are suffering from the physical consequences.  One such thing that we are becoming particularly susceptible to is bone loss. Often times people forget that teeth are part of the bone that becomes effected.  Not only is a poor diet to blame for bone loss, but the deficiency in calcium and other vital nutrients is weakening your teeth as well. 

Many people are aware of some of the things that they can do to prevent bone loss but instead, for whatever reason, choose not to.  Tips to preventing bone loss are listed a little later in this article.  Perhaps instead of starting up new good habits, we should focus on breaking old bad habits.  There are foods and activities that reduce the calcium in our bones and the bone density itself.  Some of the things we should stop doing in order to prevent bone loss are:
    Stop drinking excessive amounts of caffeine-containing drinks (more than six drinks per day).  Caffeinated drinks include coffee, cola, many energy drinks and tea.
    Stop consuming excessive amounts of alcohol
    Watch your body weight.  Those with very low body weight are more susceptible to bone loss.
    Always in moderation.  Do not eat so much of a good thing that it become a bad thing.  For example very high intakes of fiber (more than 50g per day, from wheat bran) can attribute to bone loss.
    Stop being a couch potato.  Low levels of physical activity will compromise bone strength.
    Don't be overly paranoid about sun exposure.  Yes, you should still make sure to wear a hat and sun block if you are going to the beach. But did you know that your body needs a certain level of Vitamin D that is absorbed by the body through sunlight?  Low levels of vitamin D are commonly an issue for people who are housebound or for people who cover their bodies completely when they are outside.
After you have read what not to do, of course you are curious about what things that you can do to prevent bone loss.  A great deal of what you should do to prevent bone loss is related to your diet.  Below is a list of recommended foods and quantities needed to prevent bone loss.

Milk and milk products
Milk, yoghurt, cheese and buttermilk are huge sources of calcium. One cup of milk, a 200g tub of yoghurt or 200ml of calcium fortified soymilk provides around 300mg calcium. Calcium fortified milks can provide larger amounts of calcium in a smaller volume of milk for those who may not be enthusiastic milk drinkers.

Leafy green vegetables
Broccoli, collards, bok choy, Chinese cabbage and spinach are reccommended. One cup of cooked spinach contains 100mg, although only five per cent of this may be absorbed. By contrast, one cup of cooked broccoli contains about 45mg of calcium.  In addition, the absorption from broccoli is much higher than its leafier counterparts.

Soy and tofu
Tofu (depending on type) or tempeh and calcium fortified soy drinks are great options.

Fish
Sardines and salmon have more calcium than you may think.  Half a cup of canned salmon contains 402mg of calcium!

Nuts and seeds
Brazil nuts, almonds and sesame seed paste have good amounts of calcium in fact, fifteen almonds contain about 40mg of calcium.

Other calcium fortified foods
Breakfast cereals, fruit juices and bread as well as calcium supplements are more options to get you the calcium that you need to maintain adequate bone health.  Supplements are not as good as getting the calcium you need from foods, but for those who cannot stomach certain calcium rich foods or who would otherwise not get the calcium they need, supplements are a good option.

If you're like most adults of today, you have a few fillings somewhere in your mouth.  And the chance that those fillings are silver (also known as amalgam) is even higher, especially if they're older fillings.  Nowadays there is another option of fillings: white composite fillings.  You may wonder what the pros and cons of each type of fillings are.  This article is here to inform you of just that: the pros and cons of silver amalgam fillings, and then a brief mention of the pros and cons white composite fillings. 

Pros of silver amalgam fillings
    Amalgam fillings are relatively inexpensive and they are usually covered by most dental insurance companies
    Amalgam fillings are very strong and usually do not break due to heavy chewing on the filled tooth

Cons of silver amalgam fillings
    Amalgam fillings contain mercury and some other metals.  Although there has never been a study to prove the relationship between the mercury in amalgam to any medical dangers, it is well known that mercury in and of itself is a very deadly metal.
    Amalgam fillings have been known to leave people's teeth more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures.  This is due to the metal expanding or shrinking with the temperature of the food or drink that we consume.
    Amalgam fillings do not harden immediately, so you may not chew on the tooth with the filling for several hours after the filling has been placed.
    A significant amount of healthy tooth area is removed when getting an amalgam filling.  The dentist needs more space to prepare for the filling when using amalgam.  This can be damaging to the remaining healthy parts of the tooth.
    Not all dentists work with amalgam filings anymore.  So if you choose to get amalgam fillings and then switch dentists, it's possible that s/he will not be able to work with your fillings.

Pros of white composite fillings
    White composite filling material contains acrylic and glass particles, no mercury, so there is no danger of mercury poisoning ever occurring. 
    White composite looks much more natural than amalgam filling.  Sometimes you can't even tell that you have a filling there.  When you smile, no one will have to see silver fillings, just nice, white teeth. 
    White composite fillings are less stress on your teeth than amalgam fillings because the dentist does not need to remove as much area of healthy tooth.  This keeps the tooth stronger and less likely to experience further problems.
    White composite fillings are usually "light cured" today, meaning that the acrylic material remains a liquid until a very bright light is shined on it, causing it to harden.  Using a "light cured" method allows for your filling to be chewed on almost immediately. 

Cons of white composite fillings
    White composite fillings may be slightly more expensive than amalgam fillings, however, most people find that they are usually well worth the cost. 
    Not all dentists work with white composite fillings. 

There are pros and cons to both amalgam fillings and composite fillings; although it seems that white composite fillings have a few more benefits.  They are definitely the up-and-coming method of filling cavities.  This is not to say, however, that you should demand white composite fillings from your dentist.  Composite fillings require a different type of training to place them and not all dentists are well trained in the process.  Be sure that if you choose to get white composite fillings, that your dentist feels comfortable placing them. 

Fluoride supplements are controversial, having both strong advocates and opponents.  The American Dental Association stands by its findings that fluoride reduces cavities while the FDA has started to put warning labels on toothpaste bottles that contain fluoride.  It is up to you to decide what supplements you believe are right for your family and you should weigh the advantages and disadvantages of supplementing fluoride carefully.

Advantages of supplementing fluoride (as per the ADA)

Fluoride has been shown to reduce cavities and tooth decay for the past few decades.
It is said that fluoride reduces cavities in both children and adults and also helps to prevent tooth decay in its early stages.  The ADA recognizes that some are weary of the positive claims made by those who support the supplementation of fluoride and that that "Fluoride is like any other nutrient; it is safe and effective when used appropriately."

There are a number of ways to get the fluoride that the ADA recommends.  Many cities now have fluoridated tap water (this means that the fluoride supplement is mixed right into the drinking supply).  Did you know that fluoride is present naturally in all water sources? Community water fluoridation has now been in existence for over 50 years.  Community water fluoridation is the process of adjusting the fluoride content water to the recommended level oral health experts say if needed for optimal dental health. The recommended community water fluoridation level is 0.7-1.2 parts fluoride per million parts water. Over the past fifty years water fluoridation has been shown to be an extremely effective and inexpensive means of obtaining the fluoride necessary for optimal tooth decay prevention.  However, not all community water sources have a fluoridated water source. For individuals who do not benefit from fluoridated water, there are other supplements available.

Other sources for fluoride supplements include an actual supplement taken orally, toothpaste, mouth rinse or fluoride applied professionally at the dentist's office.

Fluoride supplements are designed to play an active and convenient role in your overall oral care maintenance.  Fluoride works silently to fight tooth decay in a safe, convenient and effective manner.  If you are still concerned about the benefits of fluoride voice your concerns with your dental health professional.

According to the ADA "Dietary fluoride supplements (tablets, drops or lozenges) are available only by prescription and are intended for use by children ages six months to 16 years living in non-fluoridated areas".   There are different dosing directions depending on your child's age and the concentration of the child's drinking water.  It is important to talk to your dentist about the specific needs of your children.  It is said that optimal fluoride is necessary from the age of 6 months to when a child turns 16 years old. Taking fluoride supplements become more costly than water fluoridation and are certainly less effective on a wide-spread scale (such as to be used as a public health measure).

Disadvantages of supplementing fluoride (warnings by the FDA)

If you look on the back of your tube of fluoridated toothpaste you will find this warning: "Keep out of reach of children less than 6 years of age.  If more than used for brushing is accidentally swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away."

Too much fluoride can cause fluorosis.  Fluorosis is caused by fluoride that stains teeth from the inside. Perhaps dentists were wrong in assuming that fluoride prevented cavities.  Instead what is preventing cavities is the calcium, magnesium and other teeth building components in the fluorinated water supplies.

If you are a smoker and don't believe that smoking is having an effect on your teeth, you are wrong!  Smoking stains teeth, promotes bad breath, and causes damage not only to the teeth themselves but to the gums and even the rest of your immune system as well. 

In the mouth, smoking mainly affects the gums and the lining in the mouth.  This deterioration makes the smoker more susceptible to diseases and even oral cancer.  Research has shown that smokers develop 5 times more oral cancers than non-smokers and consistently suffer from some degree of periodontal disease. In addition studies have shown that smoking can cause gum disease, bone loss, and tooth loss.

If you are still not convinced of the damage that smoking can inflict on your oral health, below are even more negative effects that smoking has on your teeth:

    Smoking reduces blood flow to the gums and cuts the supply of vital nutrients. For example, levels of vitamin C can be reduced by as much as half.  Ironically vitamin C is key to maintaining healthy gums.
    Smoking stains teeth, even within just a few years. For most new smokers surface stains can be removed, but the process becomes harder and harder with time as the stains will become deeper set in the enamel of the tooth.  Some stains are permanent and cannot be removed.
    Smokers are 6 times more likely to have periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is a serious matter as the disease not only affects the gums but also the bones in the jaw.  When these supporting bones are weakened the teeth become less stable and therefore move more easily. Periodontal disease can become so painful that removal of teeth is the only way to find relief from the pain.
    Many studies show that smokers tend to have more tooth decay than non-smokers.
    Smoking compromises your saliva flow and function which is important for cleaning the lining of the mouth and teeth and protecting teeth from decay.
    Periodontal disease is not necessarily and unavoidable result of smoking, rather smoking serves as a cover to the presence of the disease allowing it to do damage that is irreparable once it is discovered.
    Smoking actually inhibits the ability of the body to combat periodontal disease.   This is because smoking only magnifies the negative effects of plaque and bacteria formation at the gum line.
    Because smoking reduces sensation in the mouth, the pain otherwise caused by periodontal disease in non-smokers goes unnoticed. Therefore, by the time the disease is diagnosed irreparable damage has usually occurred.
    Nicotine is vaso-constrictive, meaning it constricts blood vessels. This makes the healing process more difficult as blood vessels must be able to supply an infection with anti-bodies and white blood cells.
    Remember that smoking does not only have a negative effect on your teeth but also on the teeth of those that have to share your smoking habit with you.  Children with parents who smoke are more likely to contract the same oral health problems that their smoking parents have.  Not to mention all of the other physical ailments that they will be subjected to later in life.

So keep your teeth and the teeth of those you love healthy by making the choice to quit smoking.  When you do, we will all smile a little brighter.

One thing you should begin to teach your children early in life is how to brush properly. The best time to begin teaching children the right way to care for their teeth is when your child is young. If children do not see taking care of their teeth as a priority when they are still young, it is less likely to be a priority when they get older.

In addition to learning good habits, knowing how to brush effectively at a young age is important for a number of other reasons as well. Healthy baby teeth help to maintain good nutrition by allowing children to chew properly. If a child's teeth are already decayed, he or she may have trouble chewing and developing good nutrition habits. In addition, healthy baby teeth are also important for speech development.

For many kids, especially the younger they are, it can be difficult to hold and use a toothbrush. Kids under three should always be supervised when they brush their teeth. You can begin to use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste around age two, but make sure they don't swallow it. The following tips will help teach your children how to brush their teeth effectively:

Model proper techniques
When your children go to the dentist, the dentist will usually take a model of teeth out and show kids how to properly brush their teeth on the model. You can also help kids by setting a good example and making sure you brush and floss regularly yourself. You might even consider brushing and flossing together in the morning and evening. As a general rule, they should be brushing this way:
    First, brush the outer surfaces of the upper teeth, then the lower teeth
    Next, brush the inner surfaces of the upper teeth, then the lower teeth
    Brush the chewing surfaces of the upper and lower teeth, which is the flat part of the back teeth.
    They should also brush their tongues as well.

Make sure they brush long enough.
Brushing should be more than just swiping a toothbrush over your teeth. You can help kids learn how to brush effectively by using an egg timer set to two minutes. Or, you can play their favorite song while they brush and tell them to stop when the song is over. You can also purchase toothbrushes made specifically for children that plays a tune while they brush; when the music stops, they know they have brushed enough.

Make sure they cover all areas.
Sometimes, children have a tendency to brush the same area over and over again. Watch your kids as they brush to make sure they're getting the back and hard to reach places as well as the front.

Don't forget flossing.
Flossing habits are just as important as brushing and should also begin when children are young. Consider purchasing the small, hand-held tools that make flossing easier for little hands.

Teaching children how to brush effectively while they're young is important in helping to ensure they learn good oral hygiene habits.

Many parents have children who dislike going to the dentist just as much, if not more, than they do.  As you probably know children fear uncertain circumstances more than the average adult and the dentist's office is no exception.  Just as with adults, children fear the pain, anxiety and discomfort that accompanies a visit to see the dentist.  Some children fear the experience so much that they will not cooperate during the visit and their dental health concerns cannot be addressed.  Other children are unable to understand instructions given or cannot sit still for the period of time needed for more time consuming, technical, or difficult dental work.

Is sedation dentistry safe for children?
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Dental Association, the American Medical Association, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, when a child needs extensive dental treatment, general anesthesia is an accepted standard of care. Of course levels and potency of the sedation will vary depending on the age and health of the child receiving the treatment.

Do dentists need special training to administer sedation to children?
Pediatric dentist must study two to three years after dental school in specialty child dentistry education.  This special education includes training in the safe administration of sedation to children.  In addition to receiving educational training real life training and practice takes place in a hospital environment before a pediatric dentist is allowed to administer sedation in his own office.  The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry encourages all dentists to follow the Guidelines for the Elective Use of Conscious Sedation, Deep Sedation and General Anesthesia in Pediatric Dental Patients.  These guidelines recommend such procedures as patient evaluation, informed consent, monitoring, and back-up emergency services.

As with any profession, pediatric dentists take part in periodic continuing education courses offered by The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, along with a number of dental universities, which keeps those working in the dental profession well informed of developments in safe sedation techniques.

Have there been any cases where sedation dentistry has harmed a child?
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, pediatric dentists have an extensive safety record in sedation procedures. To date the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry is "not aware of a single case of morbidity or mortality in a pediatric dental office when the AAPD Guidelines have been followed conscientiously."

Is sedation the only option to calm my child at the dentist's office?
Sedation is one valuable option that you have as a parent to make your child's experience with the dentist more bearable.  Within the realm of sedation dentistry are several different types of sedation that can range from completely knocking your child out for hours to calming them with sedation enough to remain awake but no longer anxious about the experience.  Obviously the necessity for more or less dramatic sedation techniques will vary by situation.  A good rule of thumb is that the more extensive and painful a procedure is the more effective the sedative should be. 

Are there sedation options for a person of any age with a disability?
Sedation dentistry is an option available to all people who would not otherwise seek treatment for a serious dental concern.  Of course as individual cases differ, so too will sedation methods.  But the disabled, those who cannot control themselves, or those who cannot communicate effectively, do have options available to them.  Your dentist will be best suited to discuss your options and to give recommendations to you.

Unfortunately, fillings don't last forever. While they do last a long time - typically up to 15 years - there is a chance that at some point, your filling may fall out. Because there is decay under the filling, there is generally some pain associated with this.

Fillings fall out for a number of reasons. The filling may not have been placed properly, meaning it wasn't fit tightly enough into the tooth or the bond that holds it in was not strong enough, making the filling more susceptible to falling out. Or, it could simply be because the filling is old and weakened.

If your filling falls out, you should make an appointment with the dentist immediately. In the meantime, however, there are a number of things you can do to minimize the pain until you can get to the dentist:

    First of all, call and make an appointment with the dentist and ask to be seen as soon as possible. Even if you are not experiencing pain, the filling needs to be fixed. Neglecting to see the dentist can result in the growth and spread of infection, which can result in more painful, expensive procedures than fillings, like a root canal. Many dentist offices set aside slots for emergencies, or will be able to fit you in right away, depending on the severity of the pain.
    If possible, save the piece of filling that has fallen out. In some cases, the dentist can re-cement the filling instead of having to drill more teeth away for the new filling.
    Rinse your mouth with warm water, and then gently brush and floss the teeth to remove any debris from the filling. Do not brush or floss too hard around the tooth that lost the filling, as the tooth will probably be cracked and hard brushing and flossing could be painful.
    If you have any, take a piece of dental wax and soften it by rubbing it between your fingers. Place a small piece of the wax over the exposed tooth to prevent it from exposure to air and debris until you can see the dentist. This will also help to alleviate any pain while protecting the tooth from further damage. Even if the tooth area doesn't hurt, you should still cover the area for protection.
    If the tooth is painful, take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as Tylenol, Advil, or ibuprofen.
    Until you see the dentist, avoid eating on the side the missing filling is on as much as possible. If the missing filling is painful, this won't be too hard.

Once you get to the dentist, he or she will be able to determine the best step to take in order to fix the filling. When a filling is lost, typically there is some sort of decay still remaining around the filling. If this is the case, the dentist may do some drilling and put in a new filling altogether. If there is no decay, the dentist will determine what caused the filling to fall out in the first place, and then either fix the broken filling or replace it with a new one.

Teeth are stronger than you may think.  Did you know that your teeth can withstand thousands of pounds of pressure?!  Although teeth are amazingly strong, they are not un-breakable.  Teeth can break as a result of trauma such as from a blow to the face or biting down on something hard.  Children are especially susceptible to breaking teeth because of rambunctious play that can lead to hitting teeth on anything from the flagpole to the driveway.  Of course, failure to take care of your teeth can also make them more prone to break.  Not brushing and eating properly will weaken teeth.  Week teeth are more susceptible to decay and decay eats away at teeth.

When you break a tooth it is most likely going to be obvious to you.  Many people can feel the loose part of tooth in their mouth.  Others who do not feel the piece of tooth that has broken off will likely feel pain, sensitivity to air and foods and swelling.   Many times the nerve under the tooth is damaged from the trauma and a damaged nerve can be very painful.

Because there is no at-home remedy for a broken tooth you must see a dentist as soon as possible.  Remember that pain serves as a warning sign that the well-being of your body has been compromised.  Pain also serves as a warning that the body has received damage of some king and ignoring that pain can lead to more serious problems such as infection and permanent damage.  

While you prepare to see your dentist regarding your broken tooth, keep the following instruction in mind:

1.    Save the tooth and any pieces - Depending on the extent of the break, your dentist may be able to cement or bond back on the piece of tooth that had been broken off.  Although this solution is often temporary it can lessen your symptoms until a more permanent solution can be found.
2.    Rinse your mouth - use warm water to rinse your mouth out.  Make sure that you are saving any tooth pieces.  Once you have cleaned out your mouth, carefully clean the pieces of the broken tooth.
3.    If you are bleeding from the area that has the broken tooth, use gauze to contain the bleeding.  Usually the bleeding will stop in about 10 minutes.  If you continue to bleed your situation may be more serious and you should seek emergency medical attention.
4.    Reduce swelling - applying a cold compress or ice wrapped in a towel over the area covering the tooth (the check or the lips).  The cold will reduce swelling and temporarily numb the pain.
5.    Temporary cement - if your dentist cannot see you right away and you do not think that your situation is an emergency, there are dental cements that you can purchase to temporarily protect the broken area of the tooth.  These dental cements are usually available in the pharmacy section of your store.
6.    Pain reliever - Feel free to take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or Advil.  Some advise against taking an aspirin because aspirin is designed to thin the blood and therefore could make any bleeding that you are having much harder to control.  

If you receive a minor chip to your tooth there is no need to panic.  Most chipped teeth can be repaired and there is little likelihood that you will look your entire tooth as a result of a chip.  

Remember that seeing your dentist as soon as possible is going to be the best solution for solving any broken tooth problems.  Your dentist can need to determine possible threats to your oral health such as if the break was caused by decay and if the nerve is in danger.

Adults with a damaged nerve usually will require root canal treatment.  Children have more positive prospects when it comes to saving the root and a dentist could fix the problem entirely if seen immediately.

Many times, parents will make the mistake of waiting until their children start school or have a full set of baby teeth before taking them to the dentist. But experts actually recommend that children visit the dentist much earlier than that.

Most dental experts recommend you take your children to the dentist when their first tooth comes in, usually between six months and a year of age. This is important for a number of reasons, the main one being prevention. Surprisingly enough, dental decay and problems can begin in infancy. Even though you can't see the teeth, they're still there - babies are born with about 20 baby teeth formed in the jaw. Your child's dentist will discuss with you the best ways to prevent decay in baby teeth, including a common condition called bottle mouth. This occurs when children are put to bed with a bottle of milk or juice. The sugars in these liquids can lead to decay in baby teeth.

On your child's first visit, the dentist will conduct an abbreviated exam while your baby sits on your lap. The dentist will teach you how to care for your child's baby teeth. This may include running a damp washcloth over your baby's teeth after nursing or bottle feeding to prevent the build-up of bacteria in the mouth and on the gums, or using a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush the baby teeth. Your child's first trip to the dentist will probably also include:

?    Providing you with a program of preventative care for your child, including how to brush and floss, as well as the importance of diet.
?    A risk assessment for cavities. Generally, children who drink a lot of juice, as well as children whose parents have had cavities, are at a higher risk. Your child's dentist will assess the risk and recommend ways to prevent cavities.
?    Information about finger, thumb and pacifier habits and how the affect your child's dental health
?    General information about the child's teeth growth and development

In addition, the dentist will answer any questions you may have.

Picking the right dentist
You will not want to take your child to your own dentist for his or her first check-up. Rather, it's important that you take your child to a pediatric dentist. A pediatric dentist is one who specializes in caring for children's teeth and preventing dental problems. They have extensive training in dental school working with children exclusively.

When looking for a pediatric dentist, ask for recommendations from friends or neighbors. Before taking your child to the dentist, ask about their policy on first visits (some dentists have an age limit and won't see children under a year). You may also want to ask how long they've been in practice and make sure they are in good standing with the American Dental Association.
Proper dental care begins in infancy. Your child's first trip to the dentist should begin before his or her first birthday and will put him or her on the road to proper dental care throughout life.

Flossing is one of the most important things you can do to prevent gum disease and tooth decay in between the teeth. Along with brushing your teeth, it is the most effective way to remove plaque.

Flossing the teeth comes with a number of benefits, and neglecting to floss regularly can lead to a number of serious dental and gum problems. One of these is cavities. Brushing does not clean in between your teeth. When the plaque and food and sugar in between your teeth are not removed by flossing, they start to eat away at the enamel in your teeth, eventually causing cavities in between the teeth. These are difficult, if not impossible, to detect without an x-ray from the dentist.

Gum disease is another result of not flossing. Flossing properly is also important for the gum line. Gum diseases, or periodontal diseases, occur when people don't brush or floss enough. Some common symptoms of this include sore or bleeding gums, hardened gums, and eventual tooth decay.

Types of floss
There are two main types of dental floss - waxed and weaved, or unwaxed. If you're confused about which type of floss you should use, keep in mind that while each have their own benefits and everyone has their own personal preference, they are both equally effective when it comes to removing plaque.

Waxed floss has a coating on it that makes it easier for many people to slide the floss between tight teeth or tight restorations. Waxed floss is also not prone to shredding, as weaved floss is. However, some claim that waxed floss leaves a residue on the teeth.

Weaved floss, on the other hand, tends to make a squeaking sound that lets you know your teeth are clean. However, this type of floss tends to tear and shred, and these pieces can get snagged in the teeth.

When it comes down to it, it's all a personal preference, as both types are about equal when it comes to removing plaque. You can also get floss, both waxed and unwaxed, in flavors such as mint and cinnamon.

Flossing properly
Once you have chosen the type of floss you like the best, it's important to floss properly. Practice proper flossing techniques. Pull the floss taut and pinch it between your thumbs and index fingers. These fingers will be your guides as you floss. 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.

Experts recommend you floss your teeth at least once a day. If you ever find that something is lodged in your teeth, use floss to gently try and remove it rather than picking at the teeth and gums with foreign objects.

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.