National Dental Hygiene Month Is Celebrated in October

October is upon us, and that means a number of things. For some, it means the month they get to dress up for Halloween and eat a lot of candy. For others, it means that they will be drinking pumpkin spice coffee every day. However, those aren’t the only things that happen in October. It just so happens to be National Dental Hygiene Month.

You might be wondering what National Dental Hygiene Month is all about. It is a time of the year when you can give your thanks to the dental hygienists who work hard to keep your teeth clean. Also, it is a time to spread the word about the importance of practicing good oral hygiene.

Let’s take some time to discuss the latter. Practicing good dental hygiene requires a number of steps. Below, we will cover some of the most important steps and ways that you could improve your own oral care routine.

Why Is Dental Hygiene So Important?

You might wonder why dental hygiene is so important that it needs a whole month to honor it. The truth is that not enough people take oral care seriously enough. This is why dental problems are among the fastest-growing in the United States.

Good dental hygiene helps you avoid gum disease and tooth decay. This is important because these issues are linked to other health problems beyond oral ones. For example, people who suffer from gum disease are more likely to have diabetes, strokes, and heart attacks.

At the same time, good oral hygiene can affect your confidence level. When you practice good oral hygiene, your breath stays fresher, and your teeth are whiter. It will also make you less likely to lose teeth to tooth decay.

Showing Your Appreciation

Oral hygienists do a lot to keep you and your family’s dental health in good standing. However, few people show their appreciation. Thankfully, National Dental Hygiene Month is a great time to do that. Let your dental hygienists know how much it means to you that they keep your smile looking great.

There are more than 200,000 dental hygienists in the United States alone. Many of them work around the clock to ensure that your smile stays looking great. Lucky for you, some of the best oral hygienists are located right here in Oshkosh, WI. Do you part to let them know that you appreciate them.

How Can You Improve Your Oral Health Routine

Part of keeping up your oral health is visiting your Oshkosh, WI dentist at least twice a year. To keep your teeth looking great, though, you have to do your part every day. This means coming up with a fantastic oral health routine that you can do daily. Let’s talk about some of the elements that you should have in your daily oral routine. Following these tips should stave off dental problems, such as tooth decay and gum disease.

Brush Twice Daily

If there is one area of dental care that you can’t skimp on, it is brushing your teeth. Along with thinking about how you brush your teeth, you need to consider what you are brushing with. For example, when you go out to get a toothbrush, be sure that you get one that has soft bristles. The bristles should also vary in length to ensure that you are cleaning your teeth from multiple angles.

More importantly, you need to make sure that you brush at least twice a day. Dentists say “at least” because you should really brush after every meal. Usually, people don’t have the time or ability to brush that often. As a result, dentists say that you should brush in the morning and at night at the minimum.

Also, you have to remember to brush your tongue. It is home to a lot of the bacteria in your mouth. If you forget to brush your tongue, you are leaving all of that bad bacteria in your mouth, which can cause a lot of bad breath.

Floss Daily

You might not know this, but flossing is just as important as brushing your teeth. In fact, that is why dentists remind you to floss every day. Try flossing your teeth each night before you go to bed to remove plaque and food particles from between your teeth.

In addition to cleaning between your teeth, flossing is good at preventing gum disease because it stimulates the gums. This increases blood flow and makes your gums much healthier.

When it is time to floss, you can do it any way that you like. You can use traditional string floss or a water flosser. Most dentists agree that it doesn’t matter which one you choose as long as you floss.

Don’t Neglect Mouth Rinse

Mouth rinse is a great way to improve the hygiene of your mouth. For example, a mouthwash can kill bad bacteria, including the bacteria that is known for causing gum disease like gingivitis.

Of course, you don’t have to use just mouthwash. Another good choice is to use mouthwash in the morning and a fluoride rinses at night. Fluoride is a mineral that can strengthen your teeth and prevent the formation of cavities.

Chew Sugar-Free Gum

Did you know that chewing on sugar-free gum is a good way to clean your teeth in a pinch. Chewing gum increases the production of saliva. Your saliva washes away bad bacteria and food particles left in your mouth after eating. Additionally, saliva is full of minerals that your teeth use to strengthen enamel. While chewing gum can’t replace brushing, it can at least be a good substitute if you can’t get to your toothbrush.

How We Can Help You

Are you ready to take your oral care to the next level? If so, reach out to our dental office in Oshkosh, WI. We can provide affordable dental care. In fact, we offer a wide range of services, so no matter what dental problem you are having, you can count on us. Contact our friendly staff today. We can schedule an appointment to meet with one of our qualified dental hygienists.