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National Dental Hygiene Month

By October 12, 2022oral health
national dental hygiene month represented by teeth and toothbrushes

October is National Dental Hygiene Month and is dedicated to promoting oral health across the country. Not surprisingly, more candy is consumed in October than any other month, so it’s a good time to remind our patients that oral health is essential to your overall health.

Tips for Overall Oral Health

Keeping your mouth healthy requires daily dental hygiene. We have some tips for you to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Brush every day, twice a day, for two minutes. This method will help remove the plaque that causes cavities, bad breath, and gum disease. Hum a favorite song or set a timer on your phone to make sure you brush long enough.

Flossing is essential to do every day. Flossing reaches the areas in-between your teeth that your toothbrush can’t get to. In fact, flossing removes 40% of the plaque on your teeth! Skipping this important step will set you up for gum disease and cavities. When is the best time to floss? It doesn’t matter. The best time is the time you will do it.

Your saliva also plays an important part in your oral health. Saliva washes away food particles after you’ve eaten and contains minerals that can help rebuild enamel and neutralize acids in your mouth. Crunchy vegetables and fruits like celery, carrots, and apples are healthy foods that can stimulate saliva. Chewing sugar-free gum is another way to stimulate your salivary glands. This can be helpful in the middle of the day after lunch if you don’t have access to a toothbrush to help prevent cavities.

Take Charge of Your Oral Health

You can improve your oral health by following the tips above in addition to scheduling your bi-annual teeth cleaning and exam at Smiles by Design. Regular exams check for tooth decay and gum disease, as well as oral cancer. Celebrate National Dental Hygiene month and schedule your appointment today by calling 316-263-6343.