Like a car engine, your mouth needs routine maintenance to keep it in top working condition. When neglected, things start to go wrong and you're stuck in a dentist's chair - begging the doctor to fix it. Quickly.

Nobody wants that. Luckily, all it takes to stay out of the dentist's chair is a little brushing and a little flossing. Ten minutes out of your day, tops. You can spare that much time, can't you?

Okay, now that we're all agreed that routine maintenance is the way to go, it's time to make sure you've got all the tools you need.

Tool Time
How old is your toothbrush? If it dates back to the last century, run, don't walk to the nearest store and pick up a new one. It's a good idea to replace your toothbrush every three to four months. However, if the bristles look worn, replace it right away so you don't hurt your gums.

All toothbrushes are not created equal. Select a toothbrush with soft, nylon bristles that have round ends for kinder, gentler polishing. Also look for a brush with a small head so you can easily reach every nook and cranny in your mouth.

When buying toothpaste, make sure you pick a winner. Look for one with the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance - you'll know that it's been proven safe and effective. You may want to keep an extra brush at work (or in your locker for students).

Maintenance Schedule
To keep your pearly whites both pearly and white, brush them for three or four minutes twice a day using a pea sized amount of toothpaste. You probably think you do, but most of us spend less than a minute brushing. So next time you brush, stop to smell the toothpaste and take your time so you don't miss any spots.

Tips for Effective Maintenance
There are many different ways to properly brush your teeth. You should check with your dentist to determine what's best for your particular model of mouth, since tooth position and gum condition varies from person to person. Following are some guidelines for a common, effective way to get the job done.

• Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and gently brush teeth in a circular motion.
• Since your toothbrush will only clean one or two teeth at a time, change its position to properly clean each tooth.
• Gently brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces and the chewing surfaces of all your teeth.
• Use the tip of your brush to clean the inside surfaces of your front teeth using a gentle up-and-down stroke.
• Be sure not to brush your teeth too hard or use a hard bristled toothbrush, as this can cause your gums to recede and also wears down the tooth structure. These conditions can lead to tooth sensitivity.
• Last but not least, remember to brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.

Flossing . . . A Little Bit of String Goes a Long Way

Bet you thought you were done, didn't you? No such luck. When you've finished brushing, you've only done half the job. Flossing provides the finishing touch - it gets hidden bits of food out and rids your mouth of sneaky bacteria that can turn into plaque, the evil creator of cavities and gum disease.

You might already know that. Maybe you're among the 63 percent of Americans who have dental floss beckoning to them from the cupboard, yet still don't floss as often as they should.

Stop making excuses! You should floss every day to keep that nasty plaque from hardening. To help build the habit, try to brush at the same time every day. According to a Johnson & Johnson consumer survey of daily flossers, the majority finds it's easiest to floss right before bed - that way your teeth are nice and clean for that 6-8 hours you're asleep!

It's up to you what kind of floss you use. You could choose waxed or unwaxed, flavored or unflavored or even high-tech flosses designed to slip into tight spaces easily. To make the job even easier, you can buy a floss holder that holds floss tight for you, or even an interdental cleaner - a refined sort of toothbrush designed to stimulate gums and get rid of bacteria.

Prefer to take care of business the old fashioned way? Here's a sure-fire way to handle your floss and thoroughly clean your teeth:

• Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the rest around the same finger on the other hand. This finger will take up the floss as it is used. Only keep 3-4 inches of floss between your fingers at any one time.
• Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers. Guide the floss between your teeth, using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into your gums, as this can injure the gum tissue. You will need to place one of your fingers with floss on it in your mouth, next to the tooth you are flossing.
• When the floss reaches the gumline, curve it into a "c" shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.
• Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently run the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up and down motions.
• Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth. Be sure not to forget the back side of your last tooth.
• That's it! You're done. That wasn't so hard, was it? Stick to this routine, and with any luck, the next time you see your dentist, (you still have to go every six months, you know) he'll tell you to smile on.