Healthy Mouth: Do These Things Help or Hurt?

| Practice | Help or Hurt? | Reason |

|---|---|---|

| Brushing twice a day | Help | Removes plaque and bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease. |

| Flossing once a day | Help | Removes plaque and bacteria from between teeth where your toothbrush can't reach. |

| Using a mouthwash | Help or Hurt | Can be helpful for reducing bacteria and plaque, but it should not replace brushing and flossing. Some mouthwashes can contain alcohol, which can dry out the mouth and increase the risk of cavities. |

| Eating sugary foods and drinks | Hurt | Sugar feeds the bacteria in your mouth that cause cavities. |

| Smoking | Hurt | Smoking damages the gums and increases the risk of gum disease and oral cancer. |

| Drinking alcohol | Hurt | Alcohol can dry out the mouth and increase the risk of cavities. |

| Not visiting the dentist regularly | Hurt | Regular dental checkups can help identify and treat problems early on, before they become more serious. |