Hi, @kealea!

This is a very interesting question, @kealea! I'm glad you put it. Actually, an apple a day should also keep the dentist away as the apple is very cleaning and nourishing for your teeth.

But, as always, there is a snag. As our ancestors for over more than 5 generations have decided to live on white flour, white sugar, refined oils and food from depleted soils, so we have reached now the point where even many young people are already "toothless" or have serious problems with gum infections or caries.

Therefore, the best we can do is eat wholesome food like fresh vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts and seeds as well as legumes. That will provide the whole body (the teeth as well) with the nourishment it needs to be healthy.

Since we have this "degeneration" problem, I'm afraid there is no other way to at least PROLONG the health of your teeth by keeping to the healthy diet mentioned above, having regular check-ups with the dentist and ask his advice plus total dental hygiene. I think it's worth doing!

Hope this helps!

Taking care of your teeth can help to keep your teeth and gums healthy, which will help to prevent cavities and gum diseases. There are many things that are involved in taking care of your teeth including brushing, flossing and seeing your dentist. Plaque is a sticky white film that is always forming on your teeth and contains bacteria which cause tooth decay. In order to prevent plaque from building up on your teeth and below the gum line, you will need to floss and brush your teeth regularly. Flossing should be done once a day around the same time you are brushing your teeth.

Gingivitis is another disease that can affect the gums and teeth if proper care is not taken. It can gradually progress to periodontitis, in which the gums pull away from teeth and form pockets that often become infected. It is best to use an battery powered toothbrush instead of a manual toothbrush.

http://healthnews.ebookroute.com/uncategorized/6229-tips-to-taking-care-of-your-teeth-your-whole-life-through/

Brushing the teeth every morning and evening, using dental floss, and mouthwash should help to keep the plaque away. After eating sugary snacks, drink a glass of water or chew a stick of gum. This keeps the saliva flowing in the mouth, a preventative of plaque.

Kissing is also a cool way to increase saliva production in the mouth. Black tea stops bacteria build-up, the prime cause of plaque. Also eating a piece of cheese increases saliva. Always keep the body topped up with plenty of fluid to prevent dehydration and bad breath.

It is not enough that you brush your teeth everyday to say that you have a good oral hygiene. Oral health does not only consist of teeth. The status of your gums, tongue, and the surrounding tissues inside your mouth are part of your overall oral health. Your teeth may appear clean and healthy but there are a lot of bacteria that live in between teeth. This is the reason why it is so important to see your dentist at least once every six months.

The dentist is the right person to assess the status of your oral health. Regular cleaning done by a professional dentist will help in maintaining the good condition of your teeth. There are specialized tools used by a dentist that will remove all the stains and dirt that a regular toothbrush alone cannot remove.

There are several ways of preventing damage to your teeth and avoiding treatment when you go to the dentist, but I don't think it is a good idea to avoid going for check ups.

If you take the trouble to clean your teeth properly several times a day and always last thing at night, that is a good start. As is regular flossing and using a good mouthwash. An electric toothbrush is much better at cleaning your teeth than an ordinary manual one and is a very good investment.

@antjecobbett is quite right about harmful eating damaging our teeth and some of the worst offenders for this are sweets, sugary fizzy drinks and surprisingly fruit juices, as they have a high acid content. If you drink fruit juice try using a straw as this helps keep the juice away from your teeth. Try nibbling on a piece of cheese after drinking juice, the calcium in it helps offset any damage.

If you see any blood when you rinse your teeth, this is a sign of gum disease, which if left untreated can result in tooth loss. An effective way of treating this is to use hydrogen peroxide as a mouthwash, this kills the germs in your mouth and can help keep teeth white. Also use it regularly to sterilize your toothbrush.

All of this will help keep your teeth in good order, but do get a check up with your dentist, a filling is a lot less unpleasant than an extraction.