October is National Dental Hygiene Month in the United States. Not only is this a good time to celebrate our dental hygienists who do such great work, it’s also a perfect opportunity to check in with your own dental hygiene routines and make sure you’re doing everything correctly.
At Portrait Dental, nothing would make our expert team of hygienists happier than to know you’re following the best recommended practices to keep your oral health in tip-top shape.
Here’s what our team recommends for your dental hygiene routine this month and every month:
You know the drill: you should brush your teeth at least twice a day to get rid of bacteria, food, germs, and plaque that has accumulated throughout the day. Do this when you wake up and before you go to bed, and preferably after any time you eat. Don’t forget to brush your tongue too. You should brush for at least two minutes at a time, and you should replace your toothbrush every three to four months.
That new toothbrush will be great, but it can’t reach everywhere in your mouth, including between your teeth. That’s why you should floss at least once a day. Not only will you get rid of small particles of food, you’ll stimulate your gums, reduce plaque, and lower inflammation. If using a piece of traditional floss is difficult, try other tools like a floss pick.
After you brush and floss, you should rinse with an antimicrobial mouthwash. Your breath will smell better, and you’ll also be cleaning hard-to-reach areas, reducing acid in your mouth, and helping your teeth maintain needed mineral levels.
You should also visit your dentist’s office in person twice a year. Not only will you get to see your caring, dedicated team of dental hygienists face to face, they will also give your teeth and mouth a thorough cleaning with professional tools that you don’t have access to. They’ll also perform an extensive exam to check for any signs of gum disease or any other issues. If you make regular visits, they’ll be able to catch problems when they are small and easier to treat rather than when they are more complicated and expensive to treat.
When you’re ready to visit Portrait Dental, just call our office or fill out our online appointment request form and we’ll get you all set up. In the meantime, happy National Dental Hygiene Month!
P.S. Brush your teeth!
