A healthy trend has been gathering momentum: We&#39;re holding onto our teeth for longer than ever before&mdash;thanks to fluoride, better dental care, and just good old fashioned oral hygiene.

It&#39;s good news for your overall health, because holding 

Brush Up On the Latest Dental-Filling Options

What you pick from the bread basket might have an impact on your pearly whites.

You&#39;re probably (hopefully) already grabbing the whole-grain goodies for their fiber and nutrition content. But now here&#39;s another reason to be choosy: Whole grains m

Eat This Bread for a Healthier Smile

If the toothpaste contains fluoride and has the American Dental Association's seal, it is good for your oral health. Learn more from our contributors.

Ditto to my colleagues Curatolo, Fiss and Rosen! 
 
One thing that is hard to remember among the noise of product promotion is that the real basic health care in dental hygiene is done by the brush and floss, not the toothpaste. A hundred years ago, Dr. Bass cured his own gum disease by inventing the modern toothbrush. The brush can break up the bacterial biofilm that grows on the teeth, and mix some air into the gums. That discourages the oxygen-hating pathogens, and encourages the oxygen-tolerant friendly bacteria. 
 
If you need certain specific medications for your teeth and gums, according to your dentist and hygienist, they should recommend specific products. Otherwise, it doesn&#39;t matter -- just low-abrasive, and as natural as you can find.

What type of toothpaste or mouthwash should I use?

What kind of dental floss should I use? Begin by choosing a brand of floss that displays the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance. Learn more from our experts about what kind of dental floss to use.

There are probably more types of dental floss than there are teeth in your mouth. So, what to choose? Waxed floss may have an edge, according to one Swiss study. But if the waxed stuff is just too slippery for you to hang on to, you might do better with unwaxed; some dentists believe unwaxed floss may be more effective at removing plaque. Go with what you won&#39;t mind using. How thick or thin depends on your teeth and the size of the spaces in between. Try a few different kinds to see what type slips easily between your choppers. You might even decide to use thin floss for one area of your mouth and thicker, textured floss in another spot.

What kind of dental floss should I use?

Learn more from our experts about preventing toothbrush bacteria growth.

Store the brush in an upright position if possible and allow it to air dry until using it again. Do not routinely cover toothbrushes or store them in closed containers. A moist environment, such as a closed container, is more conducive to the growth of microorganisms than the open air.

Make sure to replace your toothbrush every three to four months. Bristles that become frayed and worn with use will be less effective at cleaning teeth. Look for toothbrushes that display the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

How do I prevent bacteria growth on my toothbrush?

Learn more about if a vegetarian diet can help your oral and heart health from our experts.

Although a vegetarian diet is largely seen to be healthy, some vegetarians are at risk for not getting enough vitamin D or calcium. Not having enough of these essential nutrients might soften teeth, leading to decay and possibly periodontal disease. Vegetarians might not be able to absorb calcium as well as other people with different diets. This is because eating a lot of plant-based foods that have phytic and oxalic acid can discourage the absorption of some nutrients. Even though some professional organizations say that balanced vegetarian diets are good and nutritious, each individual&#39;s diet may differ. Talking to your doctor, dentist and dietitian can help you determine if your diet might cause problems now or down the road.

Can a vegetarian diet help oral health and heart health?

Should I see a dentist about my oral health problems? Whether you are 80 or 8, your oral health is important. Learn more from our experts about oral health.

Absolutely.&nbsp; &quot;Oral health problems&quot;&nbsp;may include&nbsp;sensitivity,&nbsp;cavities, gum disease, oral cancer, malocclusion, etc.&nbsp; If you think you have a problem in your mouth, you should see a dental professional immediately.&nbsp; Oftentimes it&#39;s less painful, less costly, and less time consuming&nbsp;to&nbsp;address the&nbsp;issue early before it becomes a major dental problem.

Should I see a dentist about my oral health problems?

Might you be able to skip those dentist visits and instead use alternative oral health treatments? Learn more.

As Dr. Dean Ornish answered in another Sharecare question (http://www.sharecare.com/question/more-money-spent-alternative-medicine), &quot;people are voting with their feet&quot; and choosing alternative health care, and spending over $34 billion a year out of pocket for those services. 
 
Lots of the knowledge of what we might call alternative treatments can be helpful in dentistry. Dentists have incorporated acupuncture, hypnosis, advanced nutritional counseling, ozone therapy, cranio-sacral technique, and much more into their practices (we hope with good training and experience).&nbsp; 
 
The ways that alternative treatments can augment and help dental care could fill a book, and probably should. But it always must be an addition to good basic dentistry, never a substitute. 
&nbsp;

Dr. John Davis, DDS

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Dr. John Davis, DDS

Dr. Davis's Locations

Practices

Dr. Davis's Accepted Insurance Carriers & Plans

Dr. Davis's Accepted
Insurance
Carriers & Plans