October is National Dental Hygiene Month! In honor of the big event, we’re sharing a few of our favorite tips to keep your teeth, mouth, and gums healthy and happy. After all, we know you love seeing your family dentist, but you don’t want to go more frequently than you have to.
With that in mind, here are our best dental hygiene recommendations to keep your smile beautiful this fall:
4 Quick Tips to Keep Your Teeth Strong This October
Each October, National Dental Hygiene Month seeks to educate kids, families, and individuals about how best to care for their teeth, mouth, and gums. Fortunately, maintaining healthy teeth is easier than it sounds. With a little due diligence and smart tricks, you can protect your beautiful smile for years to come.
Here are our top tips:
1. Brush Regularly
You know you should brush your teeth every day, but do you know how? For best results, hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and brush in a circular motion, using small, gentle strokes to cover the entire surface of your teeth.
Using a fluoride-enriched toothpaste, brush the back, inner, and chewing surfaces of your teeth. Change your toothbrush every few months to keep the bristles clean.
2. Floss Daily
Did you know that nearly one-third of Americans never floss their teeth? These people are at risk of dental decay, gingivitis, and other troublesome dental issues. If you’re among them, now is the time to change your flossing ways.
To get started, aim to floss twice a day – once in the morning and once at night. Using about 18 inches of floss, wind each end around the middle finger of each hand. Place the floss between your teeth, and use your fingers to create a gentle sawing motion, moving the floss up and down the inner edges of your teeth. When you’re done, rinse your mouth with water and discard the floss. The ADA has a great guide, if you want further illustration.
3. Rinse After Meals
If you can’t brush after a meal, settle for rinsing your mouth instead. This serves a few important purposes. For one, it clears your mouth of food debris that could cause decay. Secondly, it gives your teeth a gentle cleaning and keeps plaque from building up throughout the day. Bonus points for carrying mouthwash in your bag and swishing with it a few times a day.
4. Chew Something Crunchy
Did you know apples and celery make great natural toothbrushes? If you’re in the middle of a long day, toss one of these mouth-healthy snacks into your bag. They’ll scrub plaque off your teeth and fill you up at the same time.
Contact us To Book Your Regular Check-ups Now
If it’s been a while since you visited the dentist, give the team here at Orange Beach Family Dentistry a call. Your trusted dental health professional, we provide high-quality dental check-ups and services for the whole family. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you keep your mouth healthy this month and all year long.