NATIONAL DENTAL HYGIENIST MONTH
October is a good month to talk about your dental hygiene. Firstly, October is National Hygienist Month. We recognize hygienists for all the hard work they do to keep our gums and teeth healthy. Also we dedicate this month to raise awareness on the importance of good oral health. Taking care of your teeth at home and seeing your hygienist regularly are so important to keep you healthy and protect your valuable teeth.
Secondly, this month we celebrate Halloween. What better month to talk about how to keep cavity free and enjoy your candy fun too.
When we are growing up, we often hear that sugar causes cavities. But it is not the candy alone that causes cavities. So let’s take a look at how cavities are made and why dental hygiene is so important.
First, let’s clear up two terms:
Plaque
When you eat, bacteria in your mouth feeds on the starches and sugars in the food. This creates acid. The acids then combine with bacteria, food particles and saliva to form plaque on your teeth. Plaque is a sticky film that covers the teeth. The acids in plaque remove minerals in your tooth's hard, outer enamel. This causes tiny openings or holes in the enamel and is how a cavity starts
Tartar
If plaque is not removed regularly and completely, minerals in your saliva combine with plaque to form crystals that harden into tartar. Tartar also collects bacteria. Additionally, it creates a protective shield for bacteria and causes irritation along the gum line. This can lead to gum disease. Tartar cannot be removed with regular brushing; professional dental cleaning is required to remove tartar.
The Four Routines
This year we want to focus on four routines that will help you and your loved ones have healthy smiles.
Brush
The ADA recommends brushing your teeth twice a day, two minutes each time, with a soft-bristled brush. The size and shape of the brush should fit the mouth allowing you to reach all areas easily.
Floss
Flossing is not a step to skip out on. It helps get rid of food particles below the gum line and in between the teeth that a tooth brush can’t get to.
Rinse
Rinsing can help wash out bacteria that brushing and flossing cannot. Along with brushing and flossing, rinsing may help reduce the chance of dental decay and infection.
Chew
Finally, clinical studies have shown that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes following meals can help prevent tooth decay. The chewing of sugarless gum increases the flow of saliva. The saliva helps wash away food. Also, according to the ADA, it neutralizes acids produced by bacteria in the mouth and provides disease-fighting substances throughout the mouth. If you prefer gum without any chemicals, prevention.com provides a list of 8 gums that are not loaded with chemicals as well as some sugar-free options.
In closing, we’d like to wish you a happy Halloween. This is a great time to educate kids about the above routines. They can learn that they can enjoy their candy without getting cavities. And you can make it fun. For example, you can create Halloween games and prizes for every time they do the 4 routines. Or you can play Halloween tunes while they brush their teeth. Make a "Halloween" board and they can put up Halloween stickers every time they do one of the routines. You can be as creative as you want.
After your kid picks out a few of their favorite candy pieces, they can bring their candy in to our office before November 14th and we will buy back their candy for $10!
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a visit please feel free to contact us!
Best wishes,
Dr. Dave