October marks not only the start of fall and the holiday season to come but also National Dental Hygiene Month! For those who don’t know, National Dental Hygiene Month is an opportunity to promote strong oral hygiene practices in our communities and recognize the dental professionals whose dedicated work keeps our smiles strong, healthy, and radiant!
We’re here today to tell you all you need to know about National Dental Hygiene Month 2023!
What Is National Dental Hygiene Month?
National Dental Hygiene Month is a joint effort between the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) and Colgate that highlights the hard work our dental hygienists do and celebrates their unwavering commitment to creating happy and healthy smiles. It offers an invaluable opportunity to amplify the vital oral health messages to patients that dental professionals promote year-round.
Throughout October, Colgate and the ADHA work together on free continuing education courses, events, and resources for hygienists and exclusive promotions on Colgate products and services.
Here are our top tips for what you can do in your daily life – besides regularly visiting your dentist and dental hygienist, of course – to ensure optimal oral health!
The Fundamentals of Proper Dental Hygiene
A strong at-home oral health routine is essential for keeping your teeth and gums healthy and avoiding serious health issues in the future. Here are some tips on creating a strong routine for yourself and your family:
- Brush your teeth regularly and properly. It’s vital that everyone brush their teeth at least twice daily, using toothpaste. Brush in smooth circular motions – remember harder is not better – make sure to clean all the surfaces of the teeth.
- Floss regularly and properly. Make sure to floss daily to remove plaque and food particles from between your teeth and under the gumline. It’s important to keep in mind that, as with brushing, harder, more vigorous flossing does not yield better results. Keep it smooth and steady!
- Rinse regularly with mouthwash. Eliminate the harmful bacteria that cause plaque and tartar and can ultimately threaten your teeth by rinsing regularly using an antimicrobial mouthwash. In addition to brushing and flossing, of course!
- Maintain a healthy diet. Try to eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains, while limiting consumption of foods and beverages high in bacteria-promoting sugars and enamel-eroding acids.
- Stay hydrated. Drinking water consistently throughout the day helps wash away food particles and bacteria from the surfaces and spaces between your teeth.
Celebrating National Dental Hygiene Month in Charlotte, NC!
If you’re in the Charlotte area and looking to prevent or address tooth wear, contact dentist Dr. Heather Gentry and the team at Gentry Dental to schedule a consultation appointment!