October brings us a few reasons to celebrate and help spread some dental health awareness – its National Dental Hygiene Month! Here are three reasons why dentists LOVE October.
- October is National Dental Hygiene Month;
- Halloween ensures job security;
- October is also National Orthodontic Health Month.
Here are a few tips for keeping your smile healthy and beautiful through better dental hygiene.
Brush softly: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid compromising your tooth enamel.
Floss thoroughly, but carefully: Be sure to floss thoroughly, but take care not to floss too vigorously or you may irritate your gum tissues.
Wait to rinse: For maximum benefit, wait a few minutes after brushing to rinse your mouth with water.
Use mouthwash: Mouthwash contains ingredients specifically designed to target dental disease-causing bacteria.
Chew sugarless gum: Do this after or between meals to stimulate saliva - your natural defense against tooth decay!
Make dental visits essential to your hygiene: Some things shouldn’t be postponed, and your dental checkup and cleaning appointments are among them.
Here are some more uncommon tips from dental hygienists that you may have not heard before.
Consider a child’s toothbrush: If you’ve ever sat in the hygienist’s chair and had them marvel as to how small your mouth is, you might want to consider a child’s toothbrush, as too big a brush can cause you to miss spots when cleaning and can wear down your enamel if you’re not careful.
Begin brushing without toothpaste: Did you know brushing without toothpaste prior to doing so with toothpaste can help reduce plaque build-up by 63%?
Carry a straw with you: Since teeth are porous, they tend to pick up dark colors like coffee, tea, wine, and colas. Using a straw transfers these liquids past the front surface of your teeth and helps to keep your pearly-whites sparkling!
- Don’t brush right after meals: Most people think the best thing they can do after meals is to run right into the bathroom and brush their teeth. Your best course of action is to wait 30 to 60 minutes before you brush!
Why not celebrate National Dental Hygiene Month by booking your next appointment today?
P.S. Keep in mind that dental health is an essential part of your general health, but it is just one out of the many components you need to pay attention to. October is not only Dental Hygiene Month – it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month as well, drawing public attention to the importance of regular medical testing.