Crest can’t fight the oral health epidemic alone. We need your help. Children need to be told by the adults in their lives that caring for your teeth and gums is just as important as washing your hands. Also, nothing works better than setting a good example by practicing good oral care yourself.

Why is this so important for your kids? Because the added bonus of good oral health is a beautiful smile. The real benefit of good oral care is preventing cavities that can be both painful and cause early tooth loss. Proper care also prevents gum disease that can cause eventual tooth loss, bad breath, and can even be the beginning of other serious health problems.

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Check out these proper brushing techniques!

1. Outer & Inner Surfaces: Place toothbrush at a 45-degree angle; starting along the gum line use gentle, short, tooth-wide strokes against the gum line.
   
2. Chewing surfaces: Hold the brush flat and brush back and forth.
   
3. Inside surface of front teeth: Tilt brush vertically; use gentle up-and-down strokes with toe of brush.
   
4. Brush the tongue: Use a back-to-front sweeping method to remove food particles and freshen the mouth. Remember to gently brush the roof of the mouth too.
   
5. Brush long enough to thoroughly clean all tooth surfaces. The brushing motion itself helps remove stains, so don’t cut short the effectiveness.

EARLY CHILDHOOD HABITS CAN HELP YOUR CHILD DEVELOP A HEALTHY SMILE

The habits children develop as babies not only carry them through the first four or five years of life, but can be reflected in their smiles for a lifetime. That is why parents must practice healthy nursing and guide babies and toddlers in the direction of good teething practices. Crest Healthy Smiles, a national program created in response to the oral health epidemic, teamed up with Dr. Iván Lugo, President of the Hispanic Dental Association, to educate parents about risks associated with poor oral care habits in the early stages of life, and help steer them in the direction of better oral health habits.

Below, Dr. Lugo offers information and suggestions that can help parents start their children on the path to a healthy, beautiful smile.

Breast or Bottle Feeding

• Prevent “baby bottle tooth decay” by limiting the time an infant is exposed to sugary liquids like milk or juice.
• Children should not be put to sleep with a bottle. Allowing a child to suck on a bottle for longer than a mealtime can be hazardous to gums and erupting teeth.
• Once your child can sit up, encourage him or her not to drink from a bottle while lying down; not only can liquids linger longer in the mouth, but drinking while lying down can also cause ear infections.
• Juice should not be offered from a bottle, because sugars can linger in the mouth and promote cavities.
• As a baby approaches his or her first birthday, parents should encourage drinking only from a cup versus a bottle.

KEEP YOUR CHILDREN’S TEETH HEALTHY THIS HALLOWEEN

Scare Cavities Away with Useful Oral Hygiene Tips from Crest Healthy Smiles

Sweet treats are a major cause of tooth decay but don’t let that scare the fun out of Halloween. In fact, choosing the right treats and following a proper oral hygiene regimen will lessen the negative impact sweets will have on your children’s teeth and gums. Follow these five suggested tips from Crest Healthy Smiles for a safe and cavity-free Halloween:

• Trick cavities by choosing the right treats. The best treats are those that can be easily brushed or washed away from teeth by saliva or water. Options include sugarless/low-in-sugar candies and chocolate.
• Avoid treats that are sticky, chewy or hard. Treats that cling to teeth such as gummy candy provide nourishment for plaque-causing bacteria that cause cavities. Treats that are difficult to chew, such as hard candy, may damage teeth and in some cases can crack a tooth. Avoid these types of treats particularly if your child uses braces, because candy residues can become trapped between teeth and wires.
• Limit sweets intake to keep cavities in check. Constant snacking on candy cause tooth enamel to be continuously exposed to acids produced by the bacteria inside the mouth. Remember that sweets should be a treat and not part of every day eating. Every sugar dose equals about 20 minutes of a plaque attack so remember to brush or drink plenty of water after eating sugary treats.
• Brush for at least two minutes twice a day, everyday. This is particularly important if your child eats candy before going to bed because the dry environment of the mouth at night is an ideal playground for plaque. Make brushing fun by choosing fluoride toothpaste in your child’s favorite flavor, playing a favorite song while brushing or rewarding children with stickers for every good brushing.
• Floss your way to better teeth. Flossing removes plaque that can’t be removed by brushing alone from under the gum line and between your teeth. Flossing before brushing loosens the plaque and debris, which allows it to be brushed away easily. Check with a dentist to determine when children should begin flossing.

Back-to-School Health and Safety Tips

Back-to-school kicks off an exciting time for all family members. But between classes, after-school activities, homework and parents’ responsibilities, keeping the family healthy and smiling can take some planning. Here are some tips from Crest Healthy Smiles to help your family stay on a healthy track from the first day of classes through the entire school year:

• Walk the Walk: The first walk to school can cause some anxiety for young children and their parents. Relieve your child’s stress by walking the route a few times before the school year starts. It will make both of you feel better as well as give you some quality time together.
• Gear Up for Sports: An injury can take the fun out of gym class and after-school sports but proper sporting gear can help. Sprained ankles and shin splints can be avoided by wearing sport-specific sneakers and use a mouth guard to protect teeth from getting chipped by a fly ball or errant puck or hockey stick.
• Check in with your Pediatrician and Dentist: Children who feel sick or are in pain as a result of a tooth ach will be less likely to do well in class. Keep everyone smiling by making appointments with the pediatrician and dentist to ward off illnesses and detect vision, hearing and dental problems.
• Keep Smiles Healthy: According to a report by the U.S. Surgeon General’s office, oral-health related problems cause the loss of 51 million school hours per year. Combat tooth decay by getting children to brush for the recommended two minutes twice a day and using proper brushing and flossing techniques.
• Encourage Healthy Snacking: Teach children about healthy snacking and avoiding junk food. Stock pre-cut fruits, vegetables, cheese and pre-made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in their lunch boxes and in the fridge. Also, stick with nutritional drinks like pure milk, water and fruit juice instead of plaque and cavity-inducing drinks like sodas and other artificially-flavored drinks.
• Select a Back-friendly Book Bag: The wrong book bag can make your child’s walk to school a real pain in the neck--and back. Before you buy a back pack, make sure the straps are well-padded or opt for a bag with wheels and a handle.
• Back-to-school time should be fun for everyone. With a little planning, keeping your family healthy and smiling will be a breeze.
  

SOFIA VERGARA AND CREST HEALTHY SMILES HELP
FAMILIES SMILE BRIGHTER

To celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month, Crest Healthy Smiles, a national program designed to help improve children’s oral health, has teamed up with celebrity mom Sofia Vergara to provide tips to moms about how to get their children to brush and avoid tooth decay--the single most-common childhood disease. As every busy mom knows, getting kids to brush is a big challenge and celebrity moms are no different. “Keeping my son’s smile healthy and beautiful is a top priority for me. I try and make the time fun and exciting for everyone,” says Vergara.

Check out Sofia’s tips for keeping your child’s smile healthy and beautiful.

Tip #1 Make it Fun
As a mom, “it is important to get kids to think about brushing as fun and exciting,” says Vergara. My son uses Crest SpinBrushes because he likes its fun designs like Dora the Explorer. It’s made to fit perfectly in children’s hands and he can use it similar to a manual brush so he learns the appropriate way to brush.

Tip #2 Develop a Reward System
Children should brush their teeth twice a day and floss daily, so I keep track of my son’s brushing on a calendar by the sink with gold stars. If there are two stars at the end of the week, we play his favorite game on Friday night as a special prize.

Tip #3 Make Brushing Time, Family Time
At night we get together in the bathroom to brush our teeth for the recommended two minutes. We play our favorite song (which is usually around two minutes) and brush together for the duration of the song.

Tip #4 Get Children in the Right Frame of Mind for the Dentist
Dentists recommend dental check-ups every 6 months, which can be scary for many children. So prepare them beforehand – I always give my son an idea of what to expect – we use picture books or we’ll do little role playing exercises to explain to him what to expect during his dental visit.

Dayanara Torres and Crest healthy smiles bring healthy, beautiful Smiles to Families

It’s Crest’s 50th birthday and to celebrate years of dedication to good oral hygiene, the brand has partnered with actress, former Miss Universe and celebrity mom Dayanara Torres. During National Children’s Dental Health Month (February), Torres will team up with Crest Healthy Smiles, a national program designed to help improve children’s oral health, to encourage families to brush up on their dental hygiene.

As every busy mom knows, teaching children about the proper way to care for their mouths and teeth is no easy feat – Torres’s own challenges are no different. “My two small children are at the age when it is important to instill good oral hygiene habits. I try to spice up brushing in the morning and before bedtime so that it becomes a fun activity for them,” says Torres.

Below, Torres provides tips to parents about how to get their children to brush their teeth and avoid tooth decay--the single most common childhood disease.

Tip #1 Start Early
Good oral care begins at birth. Before my children started teething, I would wipe out their mouths with moistened gauze after they ate. By the time my children turned a year old, I scheduled an appointment with the dentist – even if they only have a couple teeth, a dentist should be involved in a child’s oral care.

Tip #2 Offer a Helping Hand
As a mother, I realize that it’s important to help my children with their oral hygiene. Until children are old enough to understand the basics of brushing technique, which is usually around 3 or 4 years of age, my dentist says parents should brush their children’s teeth for at least two minutes, twice a day, and floss their teeth.

Tip #3 Bring Variety to Brushing
To keep brushing from getting boring, I look for ways to make it fun. I let my children choose different flavored toothpastes to keep in the bathroom so that they can have options each time they brush. They also have Crest SpinBrushes in great designs like Spiderman and a firetruck – they are battery-operated toothbrushes that make brushing fun and they’re only about $6 and can be used by children under 3 if supervised by an adult.

Tip #4 Practice Good Oral Hygiene All Around the House
Instead of sticky and sugary snacks, like gummy candy, soda and ice cream, give children healthy snacks that wash away easily, like raw vegetables and fruit. Also, after my children have brushed their teeth at night, I only let them drink water– the sugar that is left from juice and milk can create cavities in the mouth during sleep.

Tip #5 Make Going to the Dentist a Gift
Dentists recommend dental check-ups every 6 months – each time I bring my children, I prepare them for what will happen, and reward them for good behavior. I let my children watch their favorite television show, or plan a fun afternoon activity for them after each visit.

Geena the Giraffe and Crest healthy smiles Offer advice to children on achieving healthy, beautiful smiles

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, and Crest Healthy Smiles wants you to be in on the celebration! Geena the Giraffe, mascot for Crest Healthy Smiles, a national program designed to help improve children’s oral health, and the Crest 1st Grade Program, used by over 3 million 1st grade students a year, says, “It’s very important to take good care of your smile. Having a great smile allows you to have the confidence to be successful in school, extracurricular activities and life!”

Check out Geena’s tips on brushing, avoiding tooth decay, and having fun, all at the same time!

Tip #1 Ask for Help
Sometimes it is hard to brush or floss your teeth properly – especially if you’re like me and your mouth is a ways from your arms! Don’t be embarrassed to ask for help from a parent or other trusted adult – it will make your smile healthier and more beautiful in the long run.

Tip #2 Make Brushing an Activity
Think of creative ways to make brushing your teeth fun. I personally love listening to the sounds of my friends playing in the jungle while brushing! If you don’t have wild friends like me, you can listen to a two-minute song to keep yourself brushing. Also, ask Mom or Dad for a cool toothbrush, like a Crest SpinBrush, which comes in designs like Spiderman and Dora the Explorer – they bring your favorite cartoon and television friends into the bathroom with you.

Tip #3 Eat Like Me!
If you’re like me, you like healthy snacks that wash away easily; I eat lots of plants, but you can eat raw vegetables, fruit, popcorn, and other nuts and grains. Also, after brushing your teeth before bedtime, you should only drink water – the sugar that is left from juice and milk can create cavities in your mouth during sleep. Steer away from sticky and sugary snacks, like gummy candy, soda and ice cream.

Other useful tips!

• Be sure to visit your dentist regularly and brush twice a day.
  
• Brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes each time.
  
• Use a soft brush so it is gentle on the gums and remember to change your brush every 3 months.
  
• Use a fluoride toothpaste to help strengthen the enamel on your teeth.
  
• Floss – floss – floss!
  
• Eat healthy and choose snacks that are better for teeth such as fruits, vegetables, low-fat yogurt and cheese.
  
  

Caring for Children's Teeth - A Parent's Guide.