Taking care of your mouth properly begins at infancy. It is important to care for your baby's gums and teeth once they begin to come in. Using a wash cloth is recommended for cleaning your baby's new teeth and just a minimal amount of toothpaste until your baby is old enough to spit the toothpaste back out.

Brushing your teeth properly helps to prevent cavities, gingivitis, and gum disease. Good dental hygiene doesn't stop with brushing your teeth properly. To prevent bad breath it is recommended that you brush your tongue also. To care for your gums experts recommend messaging your gums and gently brushing them with a toothbrush while cleaning your teeth.

Even with good oral hygiene at home, you should still visit a dentist to have your teeth cleaned professionally twice a year.

“It seems that certain bacteria found in patients with periodontitis have also been detected in the artherosclerotic plaque of the heart vessels. Periodontitis in itself can lead to tooth loss if left untreated, which further increases the risk of introducing bacteria into the bloodstream.” — Dr. Poulos — FOX News