Oral Care
Do your students have questions about oral care? If so, you might find some answers here. We did our best to cover the basics.

How many teeth do I have?

What are wisdom teeth?

How can I keep my teeth strong?

What food is good for my teeth?

What food is bad for my teeth?

Why shouldn't I swallow toothpaste?

What's plaque?

Why do I need to floss?

What's a cavity?

Can children under 12 use mouth rinse?

How does Crest® Pro-Health Rinse work?

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How many teeth do I have?
Most people eventually have 32 teeth, including wisdom teeth.

What are wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth usually appear between the ages of 18 and 20 at the very back of your mouth. They are called "wisdom teeth" because they appear relatively late in life (as far as teeth go!), when you are presumably wiser.

How can I keep my teeth strong?
Basic oral care requires brushing twice a day, flossing once a day and eating the right kinds of food.

What food is good for my teeth?
Your teeth and gums need a balanced diet. That means fruits and vegetables; breads and cereals; milk and dairy products; and meat, fish and eggs.

What food is bad for my teeth?
Mostly it's sugary snacks, such as candy bars, cookies and ice cream that lead to tooth decay. That doesn't mean you can't ever eat those kinds of treats; but too much can cause all kinds of problems, including cavities.

Why shouldn't I swallow toothpaste?
This should be avoided because the fluoride in toothpaste is absorbed by the body and can contribute to a condition known as "dental fluorosis," in which fine white lines become visible on teeth. Children should use a small amount of a low fluoride toothpaste such as Oral-B® Children's Toothpaste.

What's plaque?
When we eat certain kinds of food — especially food with lots of sugar and starch — it leaves behind plaque. You can't see plaque, but it contains bacteria that cause tooth decay over time. That's one reason why it's so important to brush your teeth at least twice a day.

Why do I need to floss?
Brushing your teeth helps remove most dental plaque, but only flossing can remove plaque from between your teeth.

What's a cavity?
A cavity is a hole in your tooth that can grow bigger and deeper over time. Cavities are caused by plaque.

Can children under 12 use mouth rinse?
Yes, children six years and older can use Crest Pro-Health Rinse because it does not contain alcohol. We suggest supervision for children six to 12 years old when using Crest Pro-Health rinse.

How does Crest Pro-Health Rinse work?
Crest Pro-Health is an antigingivitis/antiplaque mouthrinse formulated to kill germs that cause plaque, gingivitis and bad breath. It contains a clinically proven bactericidal agent (CPC) that weakens and effectively kills bacteria for 12 hours.