Why do I have to brush my teeth?

Back in the old days, most people didn't brush. They didn't have toothbrushes or toothpaste. Many people had terrible toothaches! The same people who cut hair also pulled out teeth. They were called barber-dentists. Nowadays we have anesthesia to numb our mouths when we go to the dentist. It wasn't around back then, though. It wasn't much fun getting rid of a toothache!

Fortunately, we now know that cavities and gum disease cause tooth pain. We also know the best way to prevent cavities is to brush twice a day.

Brushing also helps prevent bad breath and keeps teeth looking good. You might not care about that now, but you will when you're a teenager!

Why does Dad say that junk food will give me cavities?
I want a SpongeBob SquarePants toothbrush, but my sister says Barbie toothbrushes are better. Do I have to listen to her?
Mom wants me to get a new toothbrush, but I LOVE my old Spider-Man toothbrush! How can I convince her that Spidey rules?
How often should I brush my teeth?
Why do we use toothpaste?
What is the best toothpaste?
What is fluoride?
Help! I'm supposed to floss, but I can't reach my back teeth! What do I do?