Tooth Talk
Your teeth are great for chewing, but you also need them to talk. Different teeth work with your tongue and lips to help you form sounds. Try saying the word "tooth" slowly and notice how your tongue first hits the inside of your incisors to produce the hard "t" sound and then goes in between your upper and lower teeth to make the "th" sound.

And if you love to sing "la la la la la," you can thank those teeth every time you sing a song. Pay attention to what happens to your teeth and tongue every time you make the "l" sound.

Treating Teeth Kindly
Brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste is your best bet when it comes to keeping your teeth in tip-top shape. Try to brush after eating or at least twice a day. It's especially important to brush before bedtime. Brush up and down, rather than side to side. You'll also want to floss your teeth - at least once a day. That removes food and plaque that gets stuck in between your teeth.

It's also important to visit your favorite tooth experts - your dentist and dental hygienist. During your appointment, they'll look out for any problems and clean and polish your teeth. You also might get a fluoride treatment while you're there.

In between dentist visits, you can prevent problems by eating fewer sugary snacks and sugary drinks, such as soda. Sugar can hurt your teeth and cause tooth decay, or cavities. But if you take care of your teeth now, you'll be chewing like a champ for the rest of your life!

Updated and reviewed by: Lisa A. Goss, RDH, BS, and Garrett B. Lyons, Sr., DDS
Date reviewed: March 2004
Originally reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD, and Garrett B. Lyons, Sr., DDS