Autumn is in full swing and October is finally here. Our Dental Excellence of Kennesaw team in Kennesaw, Georgia, along with Dr. Lisa Kirshenbaum want to wish you and your family a healthy Halloween. Today we are sharing four tips from the American Dental Hygienists’ Association.
To encourage our patients to find a balance between celebrating the holiday festivities and preserving the smile health you have worked so hard to achieve, we recommend practicing the National Dental Hygiene Month’s message of Do The Daily 4. This is what that looks like:
Do The Daily 4
#1 Brushing your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes each time lessens plaque to help prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
#2 Flossing in between your teeth and gums once a day–using dental floss or interdental brushes–to remove food particles and plaque in those places where your toothbrush can’t clean effectively.
#3 Rinsing with an ADA approved anti-microbial mouthwash once a day to freshen breath and prevent gum disease.
#4 Chewing sugarless gum to “clean” your teeth for those times you can’t brush after eating and drinking. Chewing stimulates saliva production which neutralizes plaque acids, remineralizes enamel, and washes away food particles.
The daily four are likely the most important things you can do each day to ensure a healthy smile. Along with that, you can also help your family make healthy choices this Halloween season. Fill bowls with small oranges, tangerines or clementines decorated like jack-o-lanterns with non-toxic ink, instead of candy. You can also provide non-sugary treats such as themed toothbrushes, pencils, erasers, stickers, temporary tattoos, glow sticks, play-doh, sticky spooky eyeballs and wiggly spider rings. All of these are festive while protecting smiles.
At Dental Excellence of Kennesaw in Kennesaw, Georgia, Dr. Lisa Kirshenbaum and our dedicated team wish you and yours a safe, healthy, happy Halloween! If you would like more information about how to protect your family’s oral health, or to schedule a visit, please call us today at 770-429-0955.