Parents: By providing your children with effective preventive dental care, you and your family dentist can help give them a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.

The caring professionals here at DentalWorks would like to share their top five tips for keeping your family's smiles healthy and bright. If you have any questions, please call us at 1-888-56-TOOTH (1-888-568-6684) or request a dental care appointment online.

Preventive dental health care tip #1: Be sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day - preferably after meals. Brush two to three minutes at a time using a toothbrush with a small head (1 inch by ½ inch) and a long, wider handle.

Preventive dental health care tip # 2: Look for the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. For more than 125 years, the ADA has promoted safe and effective dental services products.

Preventive dental health care tip # 3: Because dental floss prevents plaque buildup by cleaning those hard-to-reach areas between your teeth, it's important to floss every day. Pull the floss ends so that the floss forms a "C" as it wraps around each tooth. Floss your teeth gently, easing the floss thread between your teeth before gently scraping plaque from the gums to the top of the tooth. Remember to also floss the backs of your teeth.

Preventive dental health care tip # 4: Call your family dentist if a family member's gums are red, swollen or sore, or if they bleed when brushing or flossing. You should also contact your dentist if the gums start to pull away from the teeth. Does he or she have a bad taste in his or her mouth? Have a loose tooth or teeth? Have a new or increased sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures? Call the family dentist!

Preventive dental health care tip # 5: Schedule checkups with your family dentist at least two times a year for each member of your family. That way, each person will have regular exams, cleanings and fluoride treatments - and, if a problem arises, it can be dealt with quickly and in its earliest stages.

Call us at 1-888-56-TOOTH (1-888-568-6684) with any questions or make an appointment for dental services online - or, if necessary, take advantage of our emergency dental care!