October is National Dental Hygiene Month

October is National Dental Hygiene Month, a great time for a reminder about staying on top of your regular twice-yearly dental cleanings. Fresh breath, healthy gums and strong teeth are all an important part of oral health. That’s why you need to brush and floss every day, get regular checkups and eat right. Need to book a teeth cleaning in Studio City? Call us now at 818-762-2977, then read on for more dental hygiene tips.

Adults: How to Maintain Strong Teeth and a Healthy Mouth

The CDC recommends following these oral hygiene tips for adults:

• Drink fluoridated water.
• Brush with fluoride toothpaste.
• Practice good oral hygiene, brushing teeth thoroughly and flossing between the teeth to get all dental plaque out.
• Visit your dentist regularly, even if you no longer have your natural teeth or if you have dentures.
• Refrain from using tobacco products.
• Limit alcoholic drinks.
• If you have diabetes, take steps to maintain control of the disease in order to decrease risk for other complications, such as gum disease.
• If your medication gives you dry mouth, ask your doctor for another medication. Drink lots of water, chew sugarless gum, and avoid alcohol and smoking.
• If you experience sudden changes in taste and smell, visit your doctor or dentist.
• If you are a caregiver, help your senior loved ones brush and floss their teeth if they cannot do so independently.

Tips for Kids

The American Academy of Pediatrics offers these tips for good oral hygiene in kids:

• Brush and floss every day.
• Start brushing at age three, using a pea-size amount of fluoride toothpaste to prevent Teach your child not to swallow the toothpaste.
• Teach the proper brushing motion. Clean each tooth thoroughly, top and bottom, inside and out. Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle to the gums and use a short back-and-forth motion across the sides and tops of the teeth. Then, position the brush vertically and use lots of shorter strokes on the backs of the teeth.
• Brush for two minutes at a time, twice daily.
• Teach them to brush on their own by the age of six.
• Limit sugar intake. Avoid sticky foods, such as caramel, gum, toffee, and dried fruit snacks.
• Encourage them to brush after consuming sugary foods.
• Don’t allow your child to have any sugary liquids in a sippy cup for prolonged periods of time.
• Take your child to a pediatric dentist by the age of one.
• Make sure kids get regular dental checkups twice a year.

Contact Studio City Dental Center

To book your dental checkup, contact us today at 818-762-2977 or fill out our online form.