Celebrate National Dental Hygiene Month by developing good oral health care habits
A lot of good dental care comes down to getting into the habit of doing things right, and making sure that your children learn how to take care of their teeth properly from the beginning. For instance
• You should brush your teeth twice a day. When you brush, it should take you at least 2 minutes, to make sure you are doing a very thorough job. Use a soft toothbrush and toothpaste with fluoride in it. Position your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle to the gums for the outer surfaces of the teeth and place it at a vertical position for the inner surfaces. Use short, gentle, up-and-down strokes, and don’t forget to brush the tongue.
• You should floss at least once a day, before bedtime. String floss is best. Move the floss up and down between teeth five times, making sure to get up into the gums
• Use mouthwash after you brush and floss to get rid of any remaining bacteria. Only use as much as the instructions tell you to (usually about 3 to 5 teaspoons), swish it around in your mouth, gargle for 30 seconds, and then spit it out. Use mouthwash to supplement your oral care routine – don’t use it instead of brushing and flossing.
You may not be planning anything special to celebrate this month (as far as your teeth go, anyway), but National Dental Hygiene Month is at least a great reminder of how important it is to take care of your teeth and gums every day! If you are having tooth pain or if it’s just time for an exam, make an appointment with Dr. Samuel Jirik and his staff. Call the office in Cabot, Arkansas, for an appointment. Call (501) 843-9561 today!
