We can all use some foolproof tips for avoiding plaque. Plaque

is an aggregation of harmful bacteria that collects on our

teeth and gums, showing up as a fuzzy, whitish coating near the

gum line. If plaque is allowed to build up and isn’t removed on

a regular basis, it inevitably leads to tooth decay and gum

disease.

So that said, here are ten surefire tips to avoid plaque

build-up and enjoy a fresher, healthier mouth.

1. Brush at least twice a day to avoid plaque.

Use a small, circular motion and be sure to brush each

individual tooth on all sides. Pay special attention to back

teeth which may be harder to reach. Make a difficult job easier

with one of the new electric or battery-powered toothbrushes,

and brush for a full 30 seconds ... not just until your mouth

fills up with foam, a common mistake. If bacteria is a real

problem, look into the new high-end, rotating "plaque remover"

electric toothbrushes.

2. Remove more plaque by brushing your gums.

Using a soft tooth brush, gently brush your gums as well as

your teeth to avoid plaque. Hint: Lift your lips from your gums

in order to better reach plaque collecting in the crevices. For

super-powered gum cleaning, use one of the water picks or oral

irrigators available on the market.

3. Don't forget to brush your tongue to help avoid plaque and

bad breath.

The tongue is simply filled with tiny crevices where plaque and

bacteria collect. Although brushing your tongue may feel odd at

first, neglecting to do so may leave as much as 50% of the

bacterial-causing plaque still in your mouth.

4. Floss daily to avoid plaque build-up between teeth.

Your tooth brush simply can't reach all the plaque between your

teeth, so flossing is necessary to avoid plaque build-up.

5. Avoid between-meal snacks, since sugar feeds the bacteria

that causes plaque.

Bacterial does its worst damage within about ten minutes after

a meal or snack. Most people don't brush after every snack --

and invasive sugar comes in the form of foods like fruit

(fructose) and milk (lactose), not just candy and soda.

6. Drinking water washes bacteria from your mouth, helping to

avoid plaque.

Drink plenty of water after a meal or a snack, swishing it

around a bit, and you've improved your odds against oral

bacterial already.

Want to test your brushing technique and learn how to better

avoid plaque? Try this:

1. Add a few drops of food coloring to a small amount of water.

2. Brush your teeth as you normally would, then rinse your

mouth with the colored water.

3. Now look for the areas where food coloring still clings to

your teeth, tongue and gums. The food coloring has colored all

the plaque you missed!

4. Brush again to remove all the colored areas. Next time you

brush, you'll be more aware of your problem areas and better

avoid plaque build-up.

As you can see, there are a number of tips sure to aid you in

the fight against plaque. Adding just one or two at a time to

your dental routine is sure to improve your odds against plaque

-- and your oral health.