National Dental Hygiene Month: What You Need to Know
October is National Dental Hygiene Month, an annual initiative to raise awareness of dental health issues. Dental Hygiene Month was created by the ADA (American Dental Association), and dentists around the country get involved to help spread the word about ways people can improve their oral health. Brands such as Colgate and Wrigley’s, and organizations such as the American Dental Hygienists Association. participate with their own campaigns to support the initiative.
For 2017, the National Dental Hygiene Month campaign focuses on four key actions that help you to keep your mouth healthy:
- Brushing – Brush your teeth twice a day, following the techniques recommended by your dentist. This includes using a soft-bristled toothbrush that reaches to all areas of your teeth and gums and brushing your tongue to remove bacteria and keep your breath fresh.
- Flossing – Use dental floss to remove bits of food and plaque from the gaps between your teeth. Dentists recommend to floss once a day, just before brushing your teeth.
- Rinsing – Use mouthwash to rinse your mouth out and keep your gums healthy. The best time to use mouthwash is after eating, especially if it contains fluoride, instead of after brushing your teeth.
- Chewing – Chewing gum keeps your breath fresh by encouraging the flow of saliva around your mouth. The best time to chew gum is after a meal or any time you want to freshen your breath but don’t have the opportunity to brush your teeth.
People are encouraged to use the hashtag #DentalHygieneMonth to join the conversation and help promote the campaign on social media. National Dental Hygiene Month is a great opportunity for everyone across the dental health industry to work together with educators and families to improve awareness of the simple dental hygiene techniques that can make a huge difference to oral health.
In addition to National Dental Hygiene Month, dental organizations also promote National Children’s Dental Health Month each February. This campaign focuses particularly on educating children about the benefits of paying attention to their dental health in order to encourage good habits from a young age.
One of the dental clinics lending their support to National Dental Hygiene Month is Patriot Family Dental in Clarksville, Tennessee. Find out more about our practice and all the services we offer.
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