This October is sure to be full of sweet treats and spooky fun, but it is also Dental Hygiene Month. Given all the candy being thrown around, it’s a great time of year to review and improve your oral hygiene routine. Here are a few dentist-recommended habits you should be sure to practice to keep your teeth safe from all the sugar you might be consuming this month.
Be Sure to Brush Daily
Brushing your teeth can be considered the foundation of your oral hygiene routine because it can eliminate most plaque and food debris from the outward-facing surfaces of your teeth. You should take care to brush your teeth at least twice every day, ideally after breakfast and before you go to bed at night, but remember to wait for thirty minutes after eating before brushing. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste, and gentle, circular strokes for at least two minutes at a time to provide your teeth with the best results.
Flossing Is Just as Important as Brushing
While brushing can clean the front, back, and chewing surfaces of the teeth, it cannot reach in between them. That’s where flossing comes in to eliminate plaque and food debris that can get stuck in the spaces between teeth. Without flossing, this stuff can cause tooth decay and gum disease, and a cavity boring its way into the enamel from between the teeth is just as dangerous as one doing so from the front. Flossing also stimulates blood flow to the gums, keeping them healthy and more able to resist infection.
To floss, cut off a two-foot strand and wrap both ends around two fingers on either hand. Then slide the thread between two teeth, move it up, down, back, and forth, and then lift it out of the area. Move on to a new section of floss and repeat between another pair of teeth until your whole smile has received the treatment.
Don’t Forget the Antibacterial Mouthwash
Many people think of antibacterial mouthwash as optional extra credit or as a fair enough substitute for brushing if they don’t have a brush and paste handy, but it is neither of these things. Antibacterial mouthwash is an essential part of a complete oral hygiene routine. Using it can kill more than 99% of the germs living in your mouth that cause tooth decay and gum disease. It also leaves your mouth with a wonderful minty fresh feeling that carries over to your breath.
When you’re faced with ghoulish volumes of candy this October, remember to brush, floss, and have a good rinse with antibacterial mouthwash. Keeping your mouth healthy is essential to your overall health and a beautiful smile.
About the Author
Dr. Phillip Sehnert earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, where he graduated in the top 10% of his class. He has served as a dentist for almost forty years and is a proud member of the American Dental Association, the American College of Dentists, and the Texas Dental Association. His practice in Lewisville, TX offers general, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency dentistry. For more information on proper oral hygiene, contact his office online or dial (972) 420-0042.