The anti-aging industry is a gazillion dollar industry - both men and women work very hard to maintain their youth and health for as long as possible. While plastic surgery procedures and skin rejuvenation techniques can be quite costly, maintaining a beautiful smile is rather inexpensive and easy. Did you know that healthy, white teeth are as much of a visual indicator for youth and beauty as healthy skin? In fact, bright white teeth are probably more visually appealing than vibrant skin. If you want to restore some youth to your aging body, look no further than your teeth!

The first step towards healthy teeth and gum are the simple acts of brushing and flossing your teeth. Both of these maintenance routines are rather easy to perform. The ideal goal would be to brush your teeth after every meal and after every snack. While that might be possible for someone who works at home to brush their teeth that often, it isn't realistic for the person who has a normal eight hour workday. If you work a typical forty hour work week, your best bet is to brush your teeth in the morning before and after breakfast, and then to brush your teeth before and after dinner when you get home. You should also brush and floss your teeth at bed time. If you think you can pull it off without getting hassled by your co-workers, you should keep a toothbrush at the office and brush your teeth after lunch.

Do you like gum? It's been proven that chewing sugar free gum is actually beneficial to your teeth and gum. When you chew gum, your mouth produces saliva and saliva is one of the mouth's natural defenses against plaque buildup. One of the better types of sugar free gum is Trident Xtra Care. The gum contains two key ingredients for tooth health: Xylitol and Recaldent. Xylitol is a sweetener that doesn't get broken down by the bacteria in your mouth. The result is a more pH balanced mouth and less plaque buildup. Recaldent is a milk derivative that actually helps restore the tooth enamel on your teeth.

The primary weapon of choice for home dental care is the common toothbrush. The best choice for bristle strength is a soft bristle; medium and hard bristles can damage your gum. The basic rules to follow when using a toothbrush are as follows: never share your toothbrush with anyone, don't store it in a drawer or closed area, and make sure you thoroughly rinse it after every use. Additionally, you should not place a cap on top of the toothbrush as this will increase the likelihood of bacteria buildup.

The modern toothbrush is now a battery powered toothbrush that has a spinning head. If you can afford it, you should always use a power toothbrush. They are relatively inexpensive - around ten bucks - and they are highly effective at removing plaque. While a normal toothbrush only removes about 50% of the plaque on your teeth, a power toothbrush can remove up to 90%. There are power brushes that cost several hundred dollars but I don't think these are worth the money. Ideally, you should replace a toothbrush every few months, and by purchasing the low cost power toothbrushes it is very affordable for practically anyone to always have a brand new, spinning tooth brush in their bathroom cabinet.

When it comes to toothpaste, you should always purchase a brand that contains fluoride. Another ingredient to look for is Triclosan. Both ingredients are designed to fight cavities and prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

Flossing is another tool for fighting tooth decay. While a toothbrush is great at removing plaque from the surface areas of your teeth, flossing is excellent for removing plaque from the small crevices between your teeth that the toothbrush cannot reach. Floss is available in many different varieties: non-waxed, flavored, thin, and waxed. There are also small, pre-strung throw-away flossing devices that are designed to make flossing easier to perform.

If you develop a routine of brushing, flossing, and using sugar free gum throughout the day, you'll maintain healthy teeth and gum for many, many years.