When Sharks lose a tooth, another one drops into place in their mouth to fill the gap. They're always losing and regrowing new teeth. People aren't like that. If they forget to brush and lose a tooth to decay or accidentally hit their mouths off of something in their home, there is no new tooth waiting to drop down. We get one set of teeth as children and one set as adults and that's it. So it behooves us to take good care of the teeth we have. Otherwise we might end up with gaps or paying for expensive false replacement teeth.

Eating Habits

Have you ever heard the old adage: "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?" Well, it applies to looking after your teeth, too. If you take care not to have too many candy and sugary sweets, you can cut down on the amount of decay in your mouth. Anything sugary or sticky, such as toffee, pressed fruit snacks, and gummy candy, sticks to your teeth and degrades the enamel much faster than the ingredients in healthier foods like bread or cheese.

Cleaning Habits

Get into the habit of cleaning your teeth after every meal and you'll be surprised at the difference it will make to your oral health. Brush after every time you eat for two minutes. Use antibacterial mouthwash to kill the germs that cause tooth decay. Your bathroom cabinet should also come stocked with dental floss, which you should use at least once per day, as your toothbrush can't reach between your teeth. Remember to replace your toothbrush with a fresh one every two months.

Dental Visits

Even with as much prevention and cleaning as you can manage on your own, your teeth are still going to decay a little bit all the time. As an adult, you should visit the dentist every six months, or at the very least, once per year. Get a thorough cleaning from a dental hygienist (with fluoride treatment) as well as a checkup from your dentist. If you find it difficult to remember to book an appointment, try to tie it to your annual physical exam or find a dentist near work so you can go at lunch.

Extras

There are lots of extra things you can do to keep your teeth and gums at their healthiest. If you're suffering from misalignment of teeth, you can visit an orthodontist to straighten them out. You should also get x-rays of your teeth at the dentist every few visits. They'll provide the x-ray protection and it will tell them if your teeth are healthy on the inside.