The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) and the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company created National Dental Hygiene Month in 2009, and the ADHA and the Wrigley Oral Healthcare Program (WOHP) have continued to work to increase public awareness about maintaining good oral health. October is National Dental Hygiene Month, and Colgate reported that the awareness month this year would focus on the four routines essential to healthy smiles:
Brushing
MouthHealthy.org, the consumer website of the American Dental Association (ADA), recommends people brush twice a day, for two minutes each time, with a soft-bristled brush. As Colgate notes, your brush should be able to fit your mouth and allow you to reach all areas of the mouth with ease.
You should place your brush at a 45-angle degree to your gums and gently moving the brush back and forth in short, tooth-wide strokes. You want to brush the outer surfaces, inner surfaces, and chewing surfaces of your teeth.
As it relates to inside surfaces of teeth, you want to tilt your brush vertically and use a motion that includes up-and-down strokes. You will also want to brush your tongue to remove bacteria and keep your breath fresh.
Flossing
Flossing is an activity that most people are well aware of the benefits, yet so many do not make an effort to floss regularly. Let National Dental Hygiene Month serve as your opportunity to get reacquainted with this very beneficial form of care for your mouth.
You should try to use 18 inches of floss and wind the floss around your fingers so you will have an inch or two of floss to use on your teeth. Hold your floss between your thumb and index finger and slide it up and down between your teeth.
Rinsing
Rinses are essential to eliminate biofilm and bacteria that brushing and flossing cannot. Properly rinsing your teeth is vital in reducing the chances of dental decay and infection.
Less can often be more with rinsing, and you should try to rinse with as little water as possible. MouthHealthy.org also recommends using rinses without alcohol.
Fluorides are one of the most common kinds of rinses used by most people, and these products can vary. Some people also rinse simply by using a small amount of water mixed with the toothpaste in their mouth that is swished around and spit out.
Chewing
Colgate claims that studies have shown that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after meals can help prevent tooth decay. According to MouthHealthy.org, chewing sugarless gum increases the flow of saliva, which washes away food and other debris and neutralizes acids produced by bacteria in the mouth while providing disease-fighting substances throughout the mouth.
Contact Us
This October, make dental hygiene a priority and schedule a checkup for yourself and your loved ones. Contact the friendly team at Babylon Dental Care. Let us discuss all of your options with you when you call (631) 983-6665 or contact us online.
