Did you know that October is National Dental Hygiene Month? You probably didn’t even know such a thing existed, but it is indeed a “thing,” and it’s a great time to take a look at your daily oral hygiene habits to make sure you are doing all that you can to keep your teeth healthy and beautiful!
Why is good dental hygiene important?
Life gets pretty busy, and oftentimes taking care of your teeth and gums gets pushed way down to the bottom of the “to-do” list. But, really, developing and keeping up with good oral health habits doesn’t take too much time out of the day – and the benefits are many. First, it keeps you from the pain and hassle of dealing with tooth decay, cavities, and even worse. Having bad oral health can even lead to serious problems with your overall health; an infection that starts in your mouth can spread to the rest of your body and can cause heart and circulation problems, diseases such as pneumonia, and even complications during pregnancy.
If you have gum recession, constant tooth aches, chronic bad breath, and bleeding gums, you probably need to make some adjustments to your daily oral care routine. Your dentist can advise you on what you may be doing wrong, but here are some tips to keep in mind:
• Brush your teeth thoroughly at least twice a day. Don’t brush too hard, and use a soft-bristled toothbrush. And don’t forget to brush your tongue, with either your toothbrush or a tongue scraper (available at your local drug store).
• Avoid tobacco products.
• Floss at least once a day.
• Use an antibacterial mouthwash at least once a day; choose one that is alcohol-free to prevent dry mouth.
Are you doing all you can to keep a healthy and beautiful smile? It isn’t hard to do, but sometimes even the most conscientious of us need some reminders – and that’s what National Dental Hygiene Month is for! Take good care of your smile, and don’t forget to see the staff at Pound Ridge Cosmetic Dentistry for a checkup and cleaning. Call 914-468-4759 for an appointment today!
