Flashing your best, most healthy smile means brushing well and often. In fact, the American Dental Association recommends brushing teeth twice a day for dental hygiene and to help promote dental health. Make the most of that time by giving your brushing technique a refresher.

Tips for Brushing
Brush for at least 2 minutes each time to thoroughly clean all tooth surfaces. Brush your tongue using a back-to-front sweeping method to remove food particles and freshen your mouth. Remember to gently brush the roof of your mouth.

Choosing a Toothpaste
Your toothpaste's taste can make brushing a more enjoyable experience, leading to more thorough brushing, better dental hygiene and reduced risk for gum disease. It is also important to choose a toothpaste that meets your dental health needs. For example, to help strengthen weak spots and help prevent cavities, select a toothpaste with fluoride such as Crest Cavity Protection. Try our interactive Dental Plan to help find the toothpaste specific to your dental health needs.

The Right Toothbrush
There are so many to choose from! Children need to use a child-size toothbrush specific to the size and shape of their mouths and hands. Soft bristles with rounded ends provide gentle cleaning of teeth and delicate gum tissue.

For adults, most dental professionals recommend a soft-bristle brush for removing plaque to help fight cavities and help prevent gum disease.

Replacing Your Toothbrush
Most dentists recommend replacing your toothbrush every three months.

Nutrition and Dental Health

The bottom line is that a good diet equals healthier teeth. Sugary snacks can lead to cavities. Choose nutritious snacks for you and your family, such as vegetables, low-fat yogurt, fruits and low-fat cheeses, which are healthier and better for your teeth.

Content provided by Crest