Follow these dental hygiene tips and you'll be on your way to achieving a healthy, beautiful smile for life:

1. Brush twice a day.
2. Floss before brushing.
3. Get dental check-ups twice a year.
4. Limit sodas, coffee and alcohol.
5. Put out the cigarette.
6. Visit your dentist before becoming pregnant.
7. Increase your calcium intake.
8. Sleep at least 8 hours nightly.
9. Take a daily dose of vitamins C and D.
10. Use the right toothbrush.

Brush twice a day.
Brushing is the key to good dental hygiene, fighting gum disease and a healthy, beautiful smile for life. Remember to brush twice a day for at least two minutes morning and night, giving attention to the gum line with small circular movements.

Floss before brushing.
Flossing helps remove food particles that get stuck between your teeth. If these particles remain on the tooth surface, it can lead to dental hygiene problems such as cavities, gum disease and gingivitis. It is best to floss before brushing to remove plaque and loosen debris from the tooth surface.

Get dental check-ups twice a year.
Visiting the dentist twice a year for professional cleanings is imperative for dental hygiene and to maintain your healthy, beautiful smile. It is especially important for women who take birth control pills, or who are pregnant or menopausal, as they have an increased susceptibility to oral care problems such as gum disease, tooth decay and cavities. Sign up for our free reminder service and we'll make sure you never forget an appointment.

Limit sodas, coffee and alcohol.
Although these beverages contain a high level of phosphorous, which is a necessary mineral for a healthy mouth, too much phosphorous can deplete the body's level of calcium. This causes dental hygiene problems such as tooth decay and gum disease. Beverages containing additives such as corn syrup and food dye can make pearly white teeth appear dull and discolored. Therefore, it is best to choose beverages like milk, which helps strengthen teeth and build stronger enamel, giving you a healthy, beautiful smile.

Put out the cigarette.
Smoking cigarettes is one of the greatest contributors to the aging mouth. In addition to staining teeth, smoking interrupts calcium absorption in the body and can also cause potentially life-threatening diseases such as oral cancer. So stop smoking and enjoy the health benefits as well as a healthy, beautiful smile.

Visit your dentist before becoming pregnant.
Expectant mothers can suffer from pregnancy gingivitis caused by hormonal changes and increased blood flow in the body. Prior to becoming pregnant, all women should have periodontal screenings for gum disease. They should also schedule regular dental check-ups throughout their pregnancy to help diagnose and treat related dental hygiene conditions.

Increase your calcium intake.
After the age of 30, women experience a 25 percent reduction in bone density. Restore lost calcium with a daily supplement and by eating fruits and vegetables high in calcium, such as dark leafy greens. These foods will also help to lower the acid buildup in the saliva that can lead to breakdown of tooth enamel.

Sleep at least 8 hours nightly.
Sleep allows the body to be replenished and renewed. Plus, you're more likely to flash your healthy, beautiful smile if you're well rested. According to the National Sleep Foundation, women are more likely than men to experience insomnia. Lack of sleep will cause a woman's immune system to become run-down and depleted. This leaves you susceptible to infection from oral bacteria in your mouth.

Take a daily dose of vitamins C and D.
Vitamins C and D help support the absorption of healthy mouth minerals such as calcium and phosphorous, which support the bone and gum tissue, keeping it healthy. This is an easy way to maintain dental hygiene and fight gum disease.

Use the right toothbrush.
It’s important to select just the right toothbrush so look for one that will give you the clean you need with comfort and control.