If you want to have a healthy and happy smile, you already know that you should brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day. Brian S. Kubo, DDS, the premier dentist in Kamuela, Hawaii, also recommends other simple dental hygiene steps you can take every day to improve the strength of your teeth and your overall health.

Here are five daily tips for healthy teeth:

• Drink Tap Water: Choose tap water instead of bottled water. Tap water usually contains fluoride, which is a mineral that helps strengthen the enamel on your teeth.

• Limit Sugary Snacks: It might surprise you, but it’s not how much sugar you eat that harms your teeth but how often you eat sugary snacks. The bacteria that live in your mouth digest the food particles left behind on your teeth and produce acids that erode the enamel on your teeth and contribute to cavities. To protect your teeth, this Oahu dentist suggests limiting the number of times you eat sugar throughout the day.

• Drink Tea: A great way to prevent bacteria from producing acid that leads to tooth decay is to drink green or black teas, which contain compounds that destroy bacteria growth.

• Chew Gum: After each meal, pop in a piece of sugarless gum and chew for about 20 minutes. Chewing sugarless gum stimulates the production of saliva, which not only washes away the acids in your mouth but also brings more calcium to the surface of your teeth, strengthening the enamel.

• Scrape Your Tongue: The back of your tongue is a hotbed for bacteria. After you brush your teeth, use a tongue scraper to remove the bacteria buildup on your tongue. This not only protects your teeth but also helps prevent bad breath.

Good oral hygiene requires more than brushing and flossing. Follow these dental hygiene steps and make regular appointments to see your dentist for checkups and cleanings. Dr. Kubo also specializes in teeth whitening, veneers, and dental implants. For more information about the best cosmetic dentistry practice in Kamuela, Hawaii, visit the website or call the dentist office at (808) 885-8465.