Brushing your teeth for two minutes, twice a day and flossing once a day are foundational guidelines for oral health. But who makes these guidelines? The American Dental Association provides a number of guidelines and daily recommendations to help you maintain the health of your mouth and teeth.
Not all oral hygiene products are created equal.Some products are meant only to feign health through surface-level cosmetic treatment. Be wary of such products, as there are a plethora of more effective products that not only clean and whiten teeth, but also protect it from problems like gum disease, tooth decay, cavities, and bad breath.
To help consumers identify only the highest quality oral hygiene products, the American Dental Association (ADA) instituted their Seal of Acceptance program. Since it began in 1931, the seal has become the hallmark for identifying a high-quality oral hygiene product.
To earn the ADA Seal of Acceptance for a product, the manufacturer submits the product to the ADA for testing and research. The ADA will then test the active ingredients for safety and effectiveness. If the product meets the rigorous guidelines, it will earn the right to print the Seal of Acceptance on the label.
Many products hold the ADA Seal of Acceptance: toothbrushes, floss, interdental cleaners, toothpaste, and even chewing gum. As an added convenience, the ADA also provides an index on their website of all oral hygiene products that have earned the seal.
If you would like more insight or recommendations on specific oral health products, talk to a member of our dental team at John S. Grisham, DDS. Dr. John S. Grisham and our staff will be happy to help in any way we can. Call 603-444-2100 today!