I'm sure you've all heard Mom or Dad ask, "Did you remember to brush your teeth?!" You may think this is just one more way for them to nag you, but they really do have a point.

This stuff called plaque begins forming on the teeth very quickly. What is plaque? It's this , film that grabs onto your teeth. It squirts harmful acids on your teeth. This acid causes your teeth to decay.

It forms all the time, 24 hours a day. Imagine all that nasty bacteria trying to cling to your teeth paving the way for cavities, bad breath, irritation, bleeding gums and worse. 

This is why it is so important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day. You see, if you take the time to brush and floss, you interrupt the nasty plaque from forming and harming your teeth and gums.

You are the one that can control the plaque in your mouth!

Foods containing a lot of sugar, such as candy, cake and soda produce acids that cause cavities and plaque to form. Plaque loves sugary things, so it's best to try and limit these types of foods. To make sure that you are getting enough nutrients for good general and oral health, you should choose foods from the four basic food groups: fruits and vegetables, breads and cereals, milk and dairy products, and meat, fish, and eggs.

Proper brushing is also very important! You should brush your teeth at least twice a day....just after breakfast and before you go to bed is the best time. Take your time making sure you brush all your teeth in the front and back. The brush should be placed against the teeth at an angle. A careful brushing should take about 3 minutes. 

Test your memory. Play the toothbrush game. 

You should visit your dentist regularly. Your dentist will check all of your teeth to look for little holes (cavities). If he or she finds any, they will drill away the bad bit of the tooth and fill the hole with a filling mixture. The dentist, or his dental assistant, will show you the proper way to brush your teeth to keep them clean and healthy.