It’s hard to believe that summer’s long, warm days have been replaced with the shorter, cooler days of fall. Not only are pumpkin carving, Halloween, and football regular occurrences in the fall, but did you know October is also National Dental Hygiene Month? So, what is National Dental Hygiene Month, and what can you do to improve your oral health? Keep reading to learn more.
What Is National Dental Hygiene Month?
Colgate and the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) work together in October to spotlight the importance of dental hygienists and celebrate their efforts to help others achieve and maintain a beautiful smile. Some of the goals and initiatives of National Dental Hygiene Month include the following:
- Providing free continuing education courses and events to dental hygienists
- Making resources available to dental hygienists
- Offering promotions on Colgate’s products and services
- Promoting the positive ways that dental hygienists help their patients
- Creating opportunities to remind patients of the importance of oral hygiene
Ways to Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Even though October is National Dental Hygiene Month, you should focus on good oral hygiene habits year-round. Here are some ways to keep a healthy smile with good oral hygiene habits:
Brush Your Teeth
In the morning and the evening, you should spend two minutes brushing your teeth. Your dental hygienist can show you the proper brushing technique to help you avoid tooth decay and gum disease.
Floss Your Teeth
Daily flossing allows you to remove food particles and plaque that may be stuck between your teeth. Your dental hygienist can educate you on the best ways to floss your teeth.
Rinse with Mouthwash
Your dental hygienist may recommend that you rinse your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash as part of your oral hygiene routine. Mouthwash can flush bacteria from your mouth, giving you fresher breath and a cleaner mouth.
Chew Sugar-Free Gum
One final way to practice dental hygiene is to chew sugar-free gum. Chewing gum after you eat or drink will increase your saliva production, replacing essential minerals that protect the enamel on your teeth. In addition, when you eat or drink something that contains sugar, the sugar mixes with the plaque on your teeth. When this happens, acids form that can cause cavities, so chewing gum can help.
Looking to Celebrate National Dental Hygiene Month in Palos Heights?
If you want more information about National Dental Hygiene Month, the dental team at Palos Pediatric Dentistry is ready to help! Our goal is to help all our patients achieve the best oral health possible, and practicing good dental hygiene habits is an integral part of that. Our expert dental hygienists work tirelessly to help every patient, so if you visit us in October, be sure to thank them.