Everyone loves clean teeth and a clean mouth. October is dedicated to promoting healthy mouths for National Dental Hygiene Month. We celebrate the work of dental hygienists to keep your pearly whites clean.
The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) is encouraging dental hygienists across the country to get involved in National Dental Hygiene Month (NDHM) to increase public awareness of proper oral health habits for children, especially the prevention of early childhood caries.
3 Easy Steps for Good Dental Hygiene at Home
Floss
Floss every day. Flossing contributes to good dental hygiene because it removes plaque and food in between your teeth. Brushing also removes plaque and food debris, but the bristles of a toothbrush can’t reach deep in between teeth to remove it all. Therefore, flossing helps keep your mouth as clean as possible.
Use approximately 18 inches of floss. It allows you to use a fresh area of floss every few teeth without reinserting bacteria you just removed. Keep in mind the floss should rub against the teeth in a motion that creates a forward or backward ‘C’ shape, wrapping the floss around each tooth.
Brush
Brushing your teeth twice a day helps fight bad breath, it can also prevent cavities and gum disease. Start with your brush at a 45-degree angle to your gums and use short back and forth strokes across the sides and tops of your teeth. Then, hold the brush vertically and use several shorter strokes to focus on the backs of your teeth of the front anterior teeth where plaque builds up often. Rinse your brush after each use and allow it to air dry. Make a conscious effort to brush your teeth every morning and every night before bed for two minutes.
Rinse
Rinse with mouthwash after brushing. Another thing that people think is optional with oral hygiene is mouthwash. Mouthwash can go where toothbrushes and floss can’t to rid your mouth of debris. Add mouthwash to your oral care regimen to get the most thorough clean you can. An antimicrobial rinse will help keep your mouth clean and will do wonders for your breath.
Don’t forget to schedule your routine dental exam and teeth cleaning. Webster Dental recommends having your teeth cleaned every six months.
Caring for Your Child’s Dental Hygiene
Most children have their full set of teeth by 3 years old. Tooth decay can happen as soon as your child’s teeth begin to appear. If you see teeth, it’s time to start brushing with fluoride toothpaste. If your child is 3 or younger, use a tad (the size of a grain of rice) of toothpaste. For children 3 or older, use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
Kids need to floss too! If two teeth are touching, it’s time to start flossing.
Drinking water with fluoride has been shown to reduce cavities by 25%.
Your child’s first dental visit should take place after their first tooth appears, but no later than the first birthday.
Dental decay is the most common disease for kids. It affects 50 percent of children by middle childhood and nearly 70 percent by late adolescence. By emphasizing good dental hygiene, parents can help lay the foundation for an effective oral health routine for their kids.
Dental hygienists are preventive oral health professionals, licensed in dental hygiene, who provide educational, clinical, and therapeutic services that support total health through the promotion of optimal oral health. Schedule your appointment today with a dental hygienist at Webster Dental to have your teeth cleaned. Call (630) 663-0554. There’s nothing quite like a smile that’s bright and clean.
Webster Dental is located at 1121 Warren Avenue, Suite 130, in Downers Grove, Illinois 60515. Our dental office is in the heart of downtown Downers Grove, and just minutes away from Interstates 88, 355, 55, 290, and 294.