Are you afraid of the dentist? You are not alone. Millions of Americans fear visiting the dentist and go to great lengths to avoid it at all costs - to the extent that the only times they bother visiting a dentist is when something is seriously wrong.

Let me let you in on a little secret - you do not have to visit the dentist that often if you do not want to. But if you want to avoid having to visit the dentist on a regular basis, then the key is to take good care of your teeth. And that means taking care of your teeth every single day.

Not only should you be brushing your teeth at least twice a day, you should also be flossing at least once a day. I remember an old saying my dentist used to repeat to me every time I visited his office as a child: "You do not have to floss all your teeth - only the ones you want to keep!"

That saying has stuck with me my entire life. And you know what? I have followed my dentist's advice religiously. And I can say now, at the age of thirty, that I still have not had a single cavity.

For some people, however, just brushing twice a day and flossing once a day are not enough. For young children and teenagers in particular, it is recommended that brushing three times a day might be best. This is because the teeth are still developing and are sensitive to the wears and tears that our mouths may encounter while still growing.

Bad teeth may run in your family. While this cannot always be avoided, there are things you can do to reduce the amount of cavities you have. If you are a smoker, then quit! Not only is it bad for your lungs - it stains your teeth as well. If you want to avoid stains on your teeth in general, then it is advisable to brush your teeth after having a cigarette, drinking a cup of coffee or tea, or drinking red wine. All of these substances cause stains on the teeth. In the event that you are unable to brush your teeth after indulging in one of these activities, then you should at least swish water around in your mouth to try to remove the residue from your teeth.