We all love an iced beverage after lunch or a satisfying midafternoon snack. But what we don’t love? The grimy feeling that builds on our teeth throughout the day. You know the one. It may seem harmless, but ignoring that grimy tooth feeling (or anything else about your oral care) means it’s time for a reality check up.
Oral health is about so much more than a sparkling smile. It’s actually intricately connected to overall well-being. From cavity prevention to choosing a powerful toothpaste, you deserve the truth about oral care. So we teamed up with Crest and TikTok-famous dentist Dr. Zainab Mackie to clear up the most common misconceptions. Ready to become your dentist’s favorite patient?
presented by
Time For A
Reality Checkup
We’re getting real about cavities, toothpaste, and more
Dr. Zainab Mackie
As a practicing general dentist,
Dr. Zainab Mackie shares videos of dental procedures and tips she thinks others will find intriguing, and has quickly gained an online following of those who want to learn more about their oral health.
Zero Cavity Status
Tips for a perfect checkup
Let’s be honest, there’s something seriously satisfying about walking out of the dentist’s office with zero cavity status. It means there won't be any high-pitched drills in your near future, but also that you’ve established a healthy oral care routine (not always an easy feat). To ace your next dental cleaning, work on these tips:
Brush with fluoride toothpaste.
We trust you know the importance of brushing your teeth. But what’s more important is that you’re brushing with an anti-bacterial fluoride toothpaste like Crest Pro-Health Clean Mint. Studies have shown that those who use a toothpaste with fluoride in it will experience less tooth decay.
Build a daily ritual of brushing for two minutes, twice a day. You’ll not only protect yourself from cavity-causing bacteria, but your regular dental cleanings might become something you look forward to.
Establish healthy brushing habits.
You’ll get more out of each tooth-brushing with a powered toothbrush. Powered toothbrushes are even proven to reduce plaque and gingivitis more than a manual brush (plus they’re more fun).¹
Choose a powered toothbrush.
Flossing is still important.
Long term studies indicate that regular flossers maintain better oral health.² But how often? The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends once a day.
Getting on good terms with your dentist starts with staying up-to-date on your professional cleanings. Plus, those who see their dentist regularly are proven to have better-than-average oral health. Worth it.
Visit your dentist regularly.
Sources
1. https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD002281.pub3/full
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7375740/
Misconception #1
Click to reveal
A cavity
is nothing to
worry about.
Reality checkup:
That aching in the back of your mouth? The longer you ignore it, the worse it gets. Cavities caused by bacteria can be formed in just three months, and can eventually require emergency treatment.
“When a cavity starts, you will likely not feel it or have any symptoms,” says Dr. Mackie. “However, if it continues to grow, it will only get deeper and become painful, requiring more emergency treatment at that point. The way to prevent this is by brushing twice daily and flossing. Brushing with Crest Pro-Health toothpaste will help stop cavities before they start—and protects against bacteria for up to 12 hours.”
It’s normal for
my teeth to feel a little grimy from time to time.
Click to reveal
Reality checkup:
Once you know, you know: That grimy tooth feeling is actually cavity-causing bacteria.
“A major contributor to cavity formation is the presence of plaque on our teeth. Plaque is a combination of bacteria and food. If it’s not brushed off soon enough,” Dr. Mackie warns, “it turns into a sticky film on our teeth. And we can actually feel it as that grimy tooth feeling. Brushing with Crest Pro-Health toothpaste twice a day will help fight that grimy tooth feeling to protect teeth and prevent cavities.”
My current
toothpaste offers enough protection.
Click to reveal
Reality checkup:
Actually, not all toothpastes are created equal. While most toothpastes stop working in minutes, Crest Pro-Health’s anti-bacterial fluoride protects teeth for up to 12 hours.
According to Dr. Mackie, “Every time we eat, the environment in our mouth changes in such a way that it can lead to the demineralization of the enamel on our teeth. This is how cavities start. Fluoride helps protect teeth by promoting remineralization and stopping the cavity-forming process known as demineralization.”
It doesn’t hurt to occasionally skip brushing at night.
Click to reveal
Reality checkup:
If you want to protect your teeth from cavity-causing bacteria, then it’s imperative to brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes. By brushing twice a day with Crest Pro-Health, you can be protected all day!
“As we eat throughout the day, food sits on our teeth,” explains Dr. Mackie. “This is what cavity-causing bacteria thrive on. It’s important to remove this layer of food and bacteria from our teeth every night to protect against cavities—even while you sleep.”
Misconception #2
Misconception #4
Misconception #3
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Meet the expert
As a practicing general dentist,
Dr. Zainab Mackie shares videos of dental procedures and tips she thinks others will find intriguing, and has quickly gained an online following of those who want to learn more about their oral health.
Dr. Zainab Mackie
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Pro-Health Clean Mint
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Pro-Health Clean Mint
