Avoiding Dental Debt: 5 Habits your Family Must Form in Order to Dodge a Lifetime of Expensive Dental Visits.

The appearance of cavities is a symptom that dental health is not in optimal conditions and, if not treated in time, these could cause more serious ailments that impact people’s health and finances. Fortunately, there are different ways to take care of your teeth at any age to avoid a lifetime of expensive dental visits: Smile, because Crest has you covered!

Take care of teeth before and after eating sweets

According to dental health experts, cavities appear when bacteria and food remains settled on the teeth and remains on them for a long time without being brushed; thus, the acid accumulates in one or several teeth, causing a cavity. Experts affirm that foods with a high sugar content contribute to the appearance of cavities, but it is not about avoiding them completely, especially in childhood, as there are other options, such as proper cleaning after consumption.

Most dentists recommend brushing your teeth after consuming foods or drinks high in sugar, although this hygiene process should wait at least 30 minutes. It is important to instill proper dental health monitoring in the family, no matter where we are. For example, if you’re out of the house and don’t have a toothbrush and toothpaste at hand, the next best thing is to rinse your mouth with water before consuming sweets and drink a glass of water after you’re done.

Apply a correct amount of fluoride

Did you know that the Centers for Disease Diagnosis and Prevention recommend drinking tap water to care for your teeth? This is because, at least in some states, it contains optimal amounts of fluoride to help improve dental health and prevent the appearance of cavities or other conditions related to oral health. If the place where you live has a low level of fluoride in the water, it is best to complement your dental hygiene with other products.

But why is fluoride so important? This substance has the task of strengthening the enamel of the teeth, thus reducing the risk that they develop harmful conditions. Other ways to integrate fluoride into oral hygiene is through toothpastes such as Crest + Scope, for adults, and Crest Sparkle Fun for children. 

Choosing a suitable toothbrush

Dental hygiene begins when a person is born, and that is why it is necessary to know what the best brushing techniques are according to the age of each member of the family. Before the appearance of the first milk teeth, it is necessary to gently clean the gums with a gauze or soft cloth; tooth brushing will begin when the child has at least one tooth, ensuring that the toothpaste has an adequate fluoride content. Regardless of how old we are, dental health experts recommend selecting toothbrushes that are safe and easy to use.

A crucial aspect to promote dental hygiene in the family is to choose toothpastes according to the age and needs of the people. For that, there are options like Crest Sparkle Fun paste for children and Crest Complete+ Scope and Pro Health Advanced for adults.

Brush for two minutes, at least twice a day

The first step will be to choose a high-fluoride toothpaste, like Crest + Scope, which whitens, freshens and protects teeth for the whole family, and Crest Sparkle Fun for children. For a better result, dentists recommend brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes, as this is a good way to remove any food that has remained between the teeth and to avoid the accumulation of bacteria harmful to oral health.

Childhood is the best time to educate regarding dental hygiene habits, since these will remain throughout the child’s life, bringing benefits in adulthood, such as the prevention of periodontal diseases. Good dental hygiene habits include the knowledge that brushing should cover the entire oral surface: from the inside and back of the teeth, to the tongue, holding the brush at an angle of approximately 45 ° and with delicate movements to avoid discomfort.

Lose fear of the dentist

One of the biggest challenges of dental practice at any age is severe anxiety towards dentists; however, this aversion can be considerably reduced by scheduling preventive visits in which the family has the opportunity to talk with the dentist and dental hygienists; this will serve to verify that dental care can be pleasant, painless and useful to prevent future ailments.

Losing fear of the dentist includes regular visits and brief conversations with the professional who will attend to patients, so that they know step by step the procedure to which they will undergo and, in this way, fully trust in the skill of the dentist. Remember that prevention is the basis for having a strong and healthy smile, and with Crest, you will have multiple toothpastes to protect your whole family’s teeth at every stage of life. Smile, Crest has you covered!