October is National Dental Hygiene Month

Dr. Ryan and Dr. Keel and our team know that with all of the excitement of fall and Halloween, it is often easy to forget about maintaining good oral hygiene. Did you know that October is National Dental Hygiene Month?

For many folks, Halloween can be a time to spoil your sweet tooth with all of those sweet, sour and sticky candies. The bad news is that these treats can actually cause damage to your teeth! Did you know that sour candies can be acidic to your teeth, and can actually wear down the enamel that protects them? This can cause tooth decay and cavities! After eating candy, it is best to wash your mouth out with water, drink milk or eat a few slices of cheese. These will help neutralize the acid in your mouth (wait at least one hour before brushing your teeth with toothpaste, as this can actually increase the effects of acid on your teeth)

Besides cavities and tooth decay, many people do not realize that good oral health and hygiene are important to your overall health too! Research is discovering a correlation between periodontal disease and other major health concerns, such as heart disease! Therefore, it is important to maintain a good oral hygiene routine: see Grin Pediatric Dentistry every six months, brush and floss daily and use an antibacterial mouthwash.

We encourage you to make a commitment to improve your oral health for October, the National Dental Hygiene Month!