October is National Dental Hygiene Month!!

October is National Dental Hygiene Month.  This is the time to honor and celebrate our dental hygienists as well as focusing on educating the public on Good Oral Health!  According to the American Dental Hygienists Association- their slogan this year is “Its simple- Healthy Habits for a Healthy Smile.”  The two simple areas to focus on for our teeth is brushing and flossing.  This week we will focus on brushing.  Brushing is important for cleaning teeth as well as gums.  Be certain to use a toothbrush with soft, nylon, round ended bristles so that the brush will not irritate or scratch the teeth or gums.  Place the bristles at a 45 degree angle.  The bristles will contact the tooth as well as the gums.  Gently brush

the outer side of 2-3 teeth with a back-n-forth vibrating motion.  Than move the brush to the next 2-3 teeth.  Maintain the 45 degree angle when you brush the inside of the teeth.  Also remember to brush the gum line.  All teeth need proper brushing- do not forget any of them even if they are in the back.  The front teeth may require your brush to tilt vertically while brushing up and down using half of the brush on the inside.  Finish your brushing on the biting surface of your teeth.  This area is especially important to remove any food particles with a scrubbing type motion.  Last but not least, brush the tongue to remove any particles or bacteria that can affect your teeth and can cause an odor in your mouth.