OREANDA-NEWS. August 26, 2015. Members of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) are treating more than 5.8 million children, teen-agers and adults in the U.S. and Canada. These orthodontic patients are paying close attention to an important aspect of their treatment: their oral hygiene home care. Crest/Oral-B and the AAO (American Association of Orthodontists) are teaming up to raise awareness about good oral hygiene maintenance for orthodontic patients in addition to the benefits of getting professional services from AAO member orthodontists.

“Orthodontic treatment is a smart investment in good dental health,” according to Morris N. Poole, DDS, president of the AAO. “Good oral hygiene is especially critical during orthodontic treatment. Using the proper oral care products can help patients keep teeth and gums clean, and enjoy a healthy and beautiful smile when their treatment is complete.”

Crest + Oral-B's collaboration with the AAO will include a number of activities to build awareness among both dental professionals and consumers. These include the development of materials to help dental professionals communicate and engage their patients on oral hygiene techniques, compliance and making the right product choices for optimal oral health. On the retail front, in-store and other activities will allow the AAO to reach more consumers more often. Crest/Oral-B is one of the global leaders in oral care product technologies with the most comprehensive range of home care products like the Bluetooth-enabled electric toothbrushes, toothpastes, rinses, flosses and other specialty products. Its Ortho Essentials Kit has been scientifically shown to reduce plaque and improve oral health in patients who are having orthodontic treatment.

“Crest/Oral-B is very excited about the collaboration with the AAO and remains committed to promoting better oral health awareness and making it accessible to consumers,” said Bob Straka, Director of Professional Oral Care, P&G.

Frequent removal of plaque and food debris that collect around teeth and orthodontic “appliances” (the formal name for devices such as braces that move teeth and align jaws) contributes to successful orthodontic treatment. Brushing and flossing as recommended by one’s orthodontist during active orthodontic treatment will maintain the good health of teeth, gums and supporting bone tissue. The right tools enable patients to perform their oral hygiene effectively, which will help them finish treatment on time with great results.

The AAO helps its members provide the highest level of expert care to their patients by supporting orthodontic education and research, and by offering members world-class continuing education opportunities to stay abreast of innovations in clinical care. Orthodontists are dentistry’s experts in moving teeth and aligning jaws to create a healthy bite. After graduating from dental school, the future orthodontist must study orthodontics for an additional two-to-three academic years in an accredited orthodontic residency program. There they learn about tooth movement (orthodontics) and the guidance of dental, jaw and facial development (dentofacial orthopedics). Only after successful completion of this formal education may an individual be announced as an “orthodontist.” The AAO admits only orthodontists for membership. By selecting an AAO member for orthodontic treatment, the public is assured that the doctor is an orthodontist.

The AAO provides a Find an Orthodontist service at www.mylifemysmile.org. The public can also look for the AAO logo on a doctor’s website or in the office to confirm their AAO membership; only AAO members may display the AAO logo.

Anyone interested in improving the function and appearance of their teeth should consult an AAO-member orthodontist. Consumers can refer to a list of questions at https://mylifemysmile.org/mylifemysmile/brochures/To_help_you_find_the_right_kind_of_professional.pdf to help them choose their provider.

For more information, visit: www.crestprohealth.com, www.oral-b.com, www.mylifemysmile.org and www.aaoinfo.org.

ABOUT CREST

A trusted leader in oral health, Crest was the first oral care brand to secure the ADA Seal of Acceptance for a clinically proven fluoride toothpaste. Since first introducing fluoride toothpaste over 50 years ago, it is estimated that Crest has helped prevent more than half a billion cavities in the United States. Headquartered in Cincinnati, OH, Crest is owned and distributed by Procter & Gamble.

ABOUT ORAL-B

Oral-B is the worldwide leader in the over \\$5 billion brushing market. Part of the Procter & Gamble Company, the brand includes manual and electric toothbrushes for children and adults, oral irrigators and interdental products, such as dental floss. Oral-B manual toothbrushes are used by more dentists than any other brand in the U.S. and many international markets.

ABOUT PROCTER & GAMBLE

P&G serves consumers around the world with one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Always®, Ambi Pur®, Ariel®, Bounty®, Charmin®, Crest®, Dawn®, Downy®, Fairy®, Febreze®, Gain®, Gillette®, Head & Shoulders®, Lenor®, Olay®, Oral-B®, Pampers®, Pantene®, SK-II®, Tide®, Vicks®, and Whisper®. The P&G community includes operations in approximately 70 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and information about P&G and its brands.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ORTHODONTISTS

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) is a professional organization for 18,000 member orthodontists in the United States, Canada and abroad. Orthodontists are uniquely qualified to correct improperly aligned teeth and jaws to create a healthy bite and a beautiful smile. They are specialists in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. Orthodontists receive an additional two-to-three years of specialized education beyond dental school in an accredited orthodontic residency program. Only those who have successfully completed this formal education may call themselves “orthodontists,” and only orthodontists are eligible for membership in the AAO. Because of their advanced education, orthodontists are able to provide each patient with individualized care, drawing on the full range of treatment options.

Visit www.mylifemysmile.org for information about orthodontists, orthodontic care and to find nearby AAO-member orthodontists.