As much fun as we have joking about enamel and pulp and such things, taking care of your teeth is serious business. Studies show that the health risks of not caring for your teeth include potential dementia, heart disease, diabetes, increased risk of pneumonia, and life-threatening blood infections.

Which is why we want to lay out the musts of dental care, to crush any confusion about what needs to be done for a truly healthy mouth and thriving life, according to the dental experts.

Here we have several of the most critical dental world updates to help patients and loved ones stay on the right track.

Floss Every Day. Flossing at least once a day will remove stray bits of food that can lead to decay and damage as they sit on the sides of your teeth. If you’ve fallen out of practice, you may see a little blood at first for a few days, but should that continue, make sure to see a dentist, as unexpectedly bleeding out of any part of your body is a sign something is likely wrong.

Flossing Comes First. Online debate has run rampant in years past as to whether one should floss or brush first. We strongly believe in flossing thoroughly first before rinsing the mouth with water or mouthwash, to make sure any stray food pieces are flushed away before you brush your teeth and gums. This way you’re not brushing these errant bits and blobs into your teeth but have a clean slate to brush. Brushing last also allows the active ingredients in toothpaste to work, without being flushed away by a rinse of mouthwash.

Be Wary of Dental Trends. When it comes to your teeth, don’t follow the crowd. Things like teeth-whitening treatments, decorating your teeth with jewelry, and using charcoal toothpaste can have devastating effects on your enamel and overall oral health. Not to mention, these kinds of treatments can have varying effects on actually improving your teeth. Always check with a trusted dentist before applying treatments, especially if your only source on them appears on TikTok.

Don’t Miss a 6-Month Visit. And replace your brush every two to three months so it remains effective and doesn’t damage your gums with broken or slanted bristles. Remember that your dental professional is the best resource you have for maintaining healthy teeth, gums, brain, and body.

Keep a Healthy Diet. We don’t just mean skipping the Everlasting Gobstoppers and Sour Patch Kids of the world, though that’s also advised. We mean seeking out foods that naturally clean the teeth. High-fiber foods such as apples, nuts, raw root vegetables like celery and carrots, and popcorn, which increase saliva production and strengthen your jaw and teeth.

Maintaining good sense and trusting the experts about our dental health, and not following fads and hunches, sets the stage for strong mouths and bodies, helping us reap the benefits of healthy teeth and gums for our entire well-being.