National Dental Hygiene Month

We love what we do and part of our job is to teach the importance of good oral health care and its impact on our overall health and well-being. That being said, we get to celebrate National Dental Hygiene Month in October which is the perfect time to discuss proper brushing and flossing techniques. Here’s to Healthy Teeth & Gums for Life for you and your family!

Let’s concentrate on Brushing, Flossing, Rinsing and seeing your holistic/biological dentist every 6 months or sooner as needed. Let’s get going, we want you to have a healthy smile.

Brush Your Mouth
Yes, your mouth, notice we did not say teeth. The reason is that your teeth are not the only thing in your mouth; you have your gums, your tongue and roof of your mouth. This will help get rid of bacteria that causes bad breath. Remember to brush your teeth and gums lightly; do not attack them with the bristles, as this will do more harm than good. Also, make a habit of brushing at least twice a day, preferably in the morning and in the evening.

We recommend a soft bristle toothbrush or an electric toothbrush with a round head. Make sure to play your favorite tune or put a timer in your bathroom to ensure you brush for at least 2 minutes. With the electric toothbrushes some have timers embedded inside.




Floss Like A Boss

Flossing. No matter how well you brush, there are some areas you just won’t be able to reach. Flossing removes dental plaque that is hiding in between teeth. If you have trouble reaching the back of your mouth to floss those teeth, then a floss pik with a long handle might help. You can use the handle to get a better grip on the floss while comfortably flossing the hard to reach areas.

Flossing after each meal will help you to not have food stuck in between your teeth and help to prevent cavities from forming. In fact it’s best to floss first, then brush which allows for the food particles to come to the surface only to be blown away by your toothbrush.

Swish Swish
Using a mouth rinse after flossing and brushing will help to keep your mouth fresh and rid of food particles. It is best to use a mouth rinse that has no alcohol in its content. Alcohol dries out your mouth which is the opposite of what you want to happen. You want your mouth to be moist as the saliva in your mouth helps to keep bacteria at bay.

It Tastes Good You are probably surprised by this one! But healthy eating habits are an equally important part of your oral hygiene regimen. Since sugars and carbs promote tooth decay, the more you eat, the better your chances are of you running your teeth! Instead, focus on protecting your oral health by eating nutritional foods. What happens when you don’t practice proper oral hygiene on a daily basis? Well, not to mention the issue of bad breath you’re likely to encounter, you’ll be a shoe-in for many dental problems, which can lead to tooth loss! And without flossing, cavities can form between teeth, which are harder to spot and even more difficult to treat.

Limit your intake of sodas, alcohol and tobacco is something you should run away from. Avoiding this can save you from some periodontal complications such as oral cancer. Furthermore, anything you might take to mask the smell such as sweets, tea or coffee will just end up doubling the damage to your teeth already caused by the tobacco. As far as soda and alcohol, too much phosphorus can deplete the calcium level of the body, causing dental hygiene problems such as tooth decay and gum disease. Go instead with beverages that will help to build enamel strength and water, which hydrates your body better than any sugary drink ever will.

**Helpful Hint ** If you must drink sodas or alcohol, do so with a straw to avoid the drink having direct contact with your teeth.

Dental Check Up Every 6 months or sooner you need to see a holistic/biological dentist. Seeing a holistic/biological dentist allows you to see the connection between your mouth and the functioning of the rest of your body.

When it comes to optimal hygiene care, remember the “Rules of Two” – brush at least twice a day and see a holistic/biological dentist twice a year. Oral hygiene is an ongoing practice that requires your attention. But once you get the hang of it, you’ll be happy with the results. Unfortunately, you can’t take a vacation from your teeth, but you can set them up for a lifetime of dental health.