Guard Teeth from Cavities Every Day

Sealants—plastic coatings that help guard teeth from cavities³—play a big part in keeping your teeth healthy, but they aren’t a magic bullet. The American Dental Association stresses these other key ingredients for keeping your mouth cavity-free:

• Brushing gently, at least twice a day^1,2 with fluoride toothpaste. Pay special attention to the gum line.¹

• Cleaning between your teeth at least once a day with either floss or interdental cleaners^1,2

• Eating a balanced diet with limited snacks²

• Regularly visiting your dentist¹

Fluoridated water supplies have also helped reduce dental cavities, but children can get too much fluoride. Make sure children put only a pea-sized dab of toothpaste on their brush, and remind them to rinse out and not swallow both fluoride toothpaste and mouthwashes that contain fluoride.⁴ Children younger than age 6 should not use a fluoride mouthwash because of the risk of swallowing it.^1,4

¹ “Cleaning Your Teeth and Gums (Oral Hygiene).” American Dental Association. www.ada.org/public/topics/cleaning.asp Accessed 2008.

² “Cleaning Your Teeth and Gums (Oral Hygiene): Frequently Asked Questions.” American Dental Association. www.ada.org/public/topics/cleaning_faq.asp Accessed 2008.

³ “Dental Sealants.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, December 2007. www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/publications/factsheets/sealants_faq.htm Accessed 2008.

⁴ “Interim Guidance on Fluoride Intake for Infants and Young Children.” American Dental Association, November 8, 2006. www.ada.org/prof/resources/positions/statements/fluoride_infants.asp Accessed 2008.