National Dental Hygiene Month Facts and Myths

10 Oct National Dental Hygiene Month Facts and Myths

Did you know that October is National Dental Hygiene Month? It comes at a perfect time, since Halloween is at the end of the month it helps serve as a reminder to protect your mouth from all those spooky treats! In addition, National Dental Hygiene Month helps serve as a reminder that everyone should be making their twice-yearly exam appointments due to how common tooth decay and gum disease have become.

Issues such as gum disease and tooth decay do not discriminate, as people of all ages are susceptible. These conditions also have other implications as well, as current research has discovered that allergies, heart disease, lung problems, and diabetes are all linked to poor oral health. The best prevention is to set up and follow a good oral health and hygiene regimen and stick with it-remember knowledge is power.

At DP5th, we are here to remind you about the importance of oral hygiene by shattering the myths and by bringing you some helpful dental tips for National Dental Hygiene Month:

• Be sure to brush your teeth twice daily. Do not brush your teeth quickly; make sure you are brushing your teeth for at least two minutes per session.
• Be sure to floss to get to those hard to reach places every single day.
• Be sure to rinse your mouth with an antimicrobial mouth wash
• If you cannot brush your teeth after eating or drinking (especially something sugary!), chew a piece of sugar-free gum in order to help fight off tooth decay and help stimulate saliva.
• If you have a child, it is important to not overlook the age one dental visit. Start the process of protecting your child’s teeth at a young age, and know that even children can develop tooth decay.
• Be sure to visit the dentist at least twice a year for routine exams and cleanings.

Myth #1: Teeth are not a big deal…they’re just teeth after all

That statement could not be more wrong, as having poor oral health can affect the attractiveness of your smile and make it difficult to chew or eat food. In addition, gum disease and having poor oral health has been linked with a variety of health conditions such as heart disease, osteoporosis, heart disease, pneumonia, allergies, and diabetes. This is more than likely due to the inflammation in the mouth, which can make you more susceptible to illness in the long run. Remember that the teeth/body connection is strong, so take care of those choppers!

Myth #2: When you get older you WILL lose all your teeth

This couldn’t be any further from the truth. While it is true that some older adults will lose their natural teeth, this does not happen for everyone. So make sure those teeth stay in your head and function well for the long haul by maintaining those pearly whites!

Myth #3: When you get older you don’t have to worry about getting a cavity

This myth is ridiculous! However, if it is expected that you will lose your teeth once you are older, than it would make sense that you don’t have to worry about getting a cavity. But this is not the case, and both of these claims are most definitely false, and are one of the biggest myths floating around about the long-term outlook of teeth! Do not believe this claim, since the truth is the older you get, the more susceptible you actually become. The aging process can sometimes include receding gums, and this exposes the more sensitive areas of the teeth, which can increase the potential for decay.

In order to keep your body running like a well-oiled machine, you must be on top of your mouth! Your health will thrive by staying healthy and by making your twice-yearly dental appointments for routine exams and cleaning. If you are in need of a New York dentist, call our office today at (212) 987-7400 to schedule an appointment.