When you were a child, your parents were likely in charge of your dental care. They probably told you when to brush your teeth and when to go to the dentist. However, once you reached adulthood, the responsibility for your dental maintenance fell to you. Unfortunately, if you're like many adults, you've fallen short on the responsibility, which can put your teeth and gums at risk. Here are four simple steps you can take to get back on track with your dental maintenance. 

Learn the Art of Brushing Your Teeth

If you don't pay attention to the way you brush your teeth, you may be doing it wrong. To get your teeth as clean as they can be, you need to learn the art of brushing. First, start with a new toothbrush, especially if your current one is more than a few months old. Second, move your toothbrush across your teeth in a circular motion. The small circles will help remove all the plaque and food particles from the surface of your teeth, as well as from the small spaces between them. Finally, don't forget to brush your tongue: germs and bacteria thrive on the surface of your tongue. 

Choose the Right Toothpaste

If you're like most people, you either spend several minutes choosing the perfect toothpaste, or you simply grab one off the shelf without paying any attention to the ingredients. Unfortunately, the wrong toothpaste can spell disaster for your teeth, especially if you're choosing a toothpaste that doesn't contain fluoride. Toothpaste containing fluoride helps strengthen your teeth and protects them from cavities. 

Give Your Gums Some TLC

If you've been neglecting your gums, it's time to stop. Your gums will pay the price for that neglect, and so will your teeth. In fact, neglecting your gums can lead to gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss. To avoid those dental problems, give your gums some TLC. Each time you brush your teeth, follow it up with some flossing. Flossing is an important part of proper dental maintenance. It's particularly important that you floss before you go to bed and when you wake up in the morning. Those are the times when the most bacteria has built up in your mouth. 

Visit the Dentist

If you stopped visiting the dentist twice a year as soon as your parents stopped scheduling your appointments, it's time to fix that mistake and give your dentist a visit so that you can schedule a checkup or a teeth cleaning appointment. Without those semi-annual dental visits, your teeth are at risk for a wide variety of dental problems. Ensure proper dental maintenance by visiting your dentist twice a year. Contact a provider like Scott W. Murphy Dentistry today to get started.