October is National Dental Hygiene Month! It may not be the first celebration that comes to mind when you think of this time of year, but National Dental Hygiene Month brings awareness to the importance of oral health and the amazing work dental hygienists do. Oral health is often overlooked for many reasons, but you can use this month to get back on top of your dental hygiene in Ormond Beach. Keep reading to learn about how you can maintain good oral hygiene from an expert dentist.
Why Dental Hygiene is Important
You may know that keeping your teeth clean can prevent cavities, but did you know that your oral health is linked with your overall health? Lack of proper oral healthcare can result in decay and gum disease that can affect your body. Gum disease causes an increased risk of heart problems, stroke, diabetes, and more.
Your dental hygiene is also important in your appearance. A nice smile can help you advance in your work life and social life, and the key to a great looking smile is maintaining a proper oral healthcare routine. See some tips below on how to keep your mouth healthy in your day-to-day life.
Brushing and Flossing
Make sure you’re brushing your teeth twice a day, for 2 minutes each session to prevent plaque buildup and decay. Once plaque has built up, it will form into tartar. Tartar can only be removed by a professional.
Be sure to brush your gumline at a 45-degree angle to prevent bacteria that causes gum disease, and brush your tongue at the end of your session to keep bad breath and lingering food particles at bay.
You should also floss at least once a day to remove food debris and plaque that can live in between your teeth. If you think about it, each of your teeth have 5 sides: front, back, top, left side, right side. If you’re not flossing, you’re leaving 2 sides of each of your teeth exposed to harmful bacteria.
Your local dental hygienist works hard to keep your teeth clean and free of tartar. This advanced form of plaque can cause you real problems like decay, cavities, and gum disease. They can also catch issues in your mouth while they are still small, which saves you a lot of time and money down the road.
Mouth Rinses and Gum
Your teeth only account for less than half of your mouth, so you can use mouthwash with an American Dental Association (ADA) seal to clean your mouth in areas where your brush can’t reach.
Sugar-free gum stimulates saliva flow, which naturally wash away bacteria, food debris, and acids in your mouth. This is another way to clean your mouth in areas your brush, but it shouldn’t be a substitute for any other parts of your oral healthcare routine.
Use the above tips to stay on top of your dental hygiene. Celebrate National Dental Hygiene Month by making sure you have routine checkups scheduled with your dentist in Ormand Beach!
About the Practice
Dr. Andrew Nawrocki is a highly-trained dentist who provides the best care possible to his patients. He believes in patient education, which is why he wants to help his patients practice good oral hygiene at home. He currently runs his own practice, and he can be contacted through his website or by phone at (386) 677-1046 for any questions.