If you wonder why our dental hygienists are particularly excited this time of year, it’s because October is National Dental Hygiene Month and we’re celebrating.
That’s right. Instead of worrying about all those Halloween-related sticky, chewy sweets that can be a nightmare on your teeth, we’re focusing on the American Dental Hygienists’ Association’s monthlong health observation that focuses on the components of good oral health maintenance:
- Brushing teeth at least two times per day
- Flossing daily
- Using fluoride treatments, rinses and/or pastes
We here at Tewksbury Dental Associates want to help you in the flossing department – which can be tricky for some – by offering a treat. The Waterpik Cordless Professional Water Flosser with Nano-Sonic Toothbrushis available to patients for the special price of $59 through the end of October.
This is our way of increasing oral health awareness and encouraging more people to take optimum care of their teeth.
A water flosser is an excellent tool for removing plaque and debris that collects deep between the teeth and below your gums where brushing can’t effectively reach. Water flosserscan be used in addition to or instead of traditional flossing, depending on your unique needs. They also are great for cleaning your crowns, bridges, veneers and dental implants. Tewksbury dentist Dr. Nitish Nahata says studies show water flossers have been clinically proven to be effective at reducing gingivitis and plaque.
Fluoride is an important oral health maintenance component because treatments in our office, as well as fluoride rinses and toothpastes at home help remineralize your tooth enamel. They also help prevent tooth decay by providing protection against the acids in bacteria and sugars in your mouth that attack your teeth.
Did you know that fluoride can actually reverse early tooth decay? In addition to being found naturally in foods, most municipal water supplies contain fluoride. Seeking brands of mouth rinses and toothpastes that contain fluoride provides additional layers of protection against decay.
The ADHA has taken to social media as part of its National Dental Hygiene Month celebration to post the latest research and education news related to oral health and dental hygiene. Search for the #brushflossrinsechew2014 hashtag to follow the news about all things related to dental hygiene. You also can check out the ADHA’s Facebook and Instagram accounts for fun contests occurring this month.
Please call our office to schedule an appointment if you want to improve your smile and your oral health. We look forward to seeing you at your next visit. We always welcome new patients.
