Although people who live in the public eye and depend on their looks always take care of their teeth, dental hygiene is something we should all take seriously, even if we don't show up on magazine covers.

Dental hygiene
The first step is to observe good dental hygiene. This involves such basic practices as brushing your teeth after every meal and using toothpaste with fluoride. The former will eliminate bacterial plaque and the fluoride will protect the teeth's enamel and minimise the effect of acids. Bacterial plaque is enemy number one of teeth because it accumulates on them and beyond the gum line, causing cavities and gingivitis. Plaque is formed by bacteria that live in the mouth and transform sugar into acids which in turn mix with remains of food and saliva. Although sugars are largely responsible for dental decay, good dental hygiene can eliminate their effects. And the amount of sugar eaten is less important than the frequency with which it is eaten, even in small quantities.

You should brush your teeth for about three minutes, making sure the brush covers all of them. It is best to follow an established order, and don't forget the backs of the teeth and molars, as web as the tongue. Changing brushes is essential. Never use one for more than three months, and it is best if the brush is medium hard. It is also a good idea to use mouth wash with fluoride and dental floss to get at plaque between teeth.�

Problems and treatment
But these preventive measures are not infallible. Sometimes diseases appear and then the main thing is to detect them as early as possible. So it is essential to go to the dentist once a year so he or she can detect problems like cavities in their initial stages. When the cavity affects the enamel there is no pain. If it has reached the dentin there is sensitivity to hot or cold. If deeper parts of the tooth are affected, there can be infection and an abscess. Meanwhile, gingivitis is a common periodontal disease that affects the gums and has symptoms such as spontaneous bleeding after brushing. Periodic cleanings by a professional will keep this from become a more serious condition that can lead to loss of teeth.�

When a tooth or molar has a cavity, the first procedure for fixing it is known as a filling. The sick part of the tooth is eliminated and replaced with a mix of precious metals, resins or porcelain. If the cavity is deeper, crowns are used, or root canals. This involves removing the centre of the tooth, the tissue and the blood vessels, then sealing the tooth.�
If a tooth is lost for good, it can be replaced with a fake one that is supported by the remaining teeth. Removable false teeth can be extracted, and are held in place with hooks linked to healthy teeth. In recent years dental implants have become popular for reasons of comfort, hygiene and durability. These are false teeth that are drilled into the bone of the jaw and replace dental roots. Once this piece is installed in the bone, the false tooth is placed over it.

Perfect teeth
Somewhere between therapeutic care and cosmetic dentistry is the field of orthodontics, which is used to correct improperly positioned teeth. The problems can include crowding of teeth, teeth that protrude, an uneven bite or too much space between teeth. The most common technique for correcting these conditions is to install braces, which are small devices made of metal, ceramics or plastic that the orthodontist adjusts gradually until the teeth are in the right position. Treatments of a more aesthetic nature include whitening. The most common way is with gels and a mouthpiece worn at night. But there are also techniques with light beams. These work very fast.�