Beyond Basics Good oral care starts with regular brushing, flossing, and dental appointments, but there might be more you can do. Your dental professional can help you go beyond the basics and do what's best for you. Use these tips to start a conversation at your next appointment, and see what you've been missing! Printer-friendly version   view all tips     General Nutrition Tips     Choose water over soda. Sipping soda can increase the rate of harmful acid attacks on tooth enamel.       Drink tap water when possible. If bottled water is your main source of drinking water, you could be missing the decay-preventive benefits of fluoride.       Low-carb diets can cause bad breath. A balanced, dental-healthy diet can help reduce tooth decay.       Stay fresh in between brushings, even when you eat on the go.       Illness and Medication     Replace your toothbrush every three months and after every illness.       Certain medications can impact your oral health, for example causing dry mouth.       Time for a brush replacement? Check out our selection of manual brushes and replacement power brushheads.       Pregnancy and Kids   Good oral health habits not only help prevent oral problems during pregnancy, they also help the oral health of your baby.   Take care of your child's oral health from birth. For starters, clean baby's gums with a washcloth.   Oral-B Stages® offers toothbrushes for all the developmental stages your child's mouth goes through. Learn more.     Seniors   More people are keeping their teeth as they get older, but older adults face additional dental problems. Thorough daily care is essential.   If you have arthritis, make brushing easier by inserting the end of your toothbrush into a tennis ball.   Some seniors find the ergonomic handle and brushing action of a power toothbrush easier to handle.     Smokers     Smokers can have gum disease even without any signs of bleeding.       Smokers have an increased incidence of periodontal disease, and the bone and tooth loss associated with it.