We’ve all heard it: brushing your teeth for two minutes, twice a day and flossing once a day are foundational guidelines for oral health. But have you ever stopped to wonder who makes these guidelines?  The American Dental Association provides a number of guidelines and recommendations for daily life to help you maintain the health of your mouth.
Not all oral hygiene products are equally helpful. Some products are designed to feign health through surface-level cosmetic treatment. Be wary of such products, and avoid them if you can. There are a plethora of more thoroughly effective products that not only clean and whiten teeth, but also protect it from problems like cavities, tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath.
To help consumers easily recognize the highest quality oral hygiene products, the American Dental Association (ADA) instituted the Seal of Acceptance program in 1931. Since then, the seal has become the stamp of authenticity and excellence when identifying a high-quality oral hygiene product.
For a product to earn the ADA Seal of Acceptance, the manufacturer must submit the product to the ADA for testing and research. The ADA then tests the active ingredients for safety and effectiveness. If the product meets the exacting guidelines, it will earn the right to print the Seal of Acceptance on the label.
You will find the ADA Seal of Acceptance on many items related to oral hygiene: toothbrushes, floss, interdental cleaners, toothpaste, and even chewing gum. For added convenience, the ADA 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 AZ Dental. Dr. Ravi Aulakh and our staff will be happy to help in any way we can. If you are in the Sunnyvale, California area, be sure to call 408-738-1000 today!