October is Dental Hygiene Month

October is Dental Hygiene Month which makes it a great time to take stock of your dental care routine to see if any changes need to be made. If you haven’t seen the hygienist in a while, take the time to call and make an appointment. It’s recommended that you visit your dental office at least twice a year for regular cleanings.

It’s important to consider your home dental routine to ensure that you’re doing the best for your oral health. Here are some important tips:

• You should brush your teeth two to three times per day. Ideally, you should brush for at least two minutes at a time.
• Select a toothbrush that feels comfortable in your mouth and has soft bristles as stiff ones can cause discomfort to the gums.
• Change out your toothbrush every three to four months. Floss daily with either regular thread floss or a flossing wand.
• When flossing, be gentle so as not to irritate the gums, but be sure to get between each set of teeth.
• Select your toothpaste carefully as those designed to whiten are harsh and may not be the best option for people who have sensitive teeth. If you’re unsure about which toothpaste to choose, ask advice from your dental hygienist and in the meantime select a simple fluoride paste.

Visiting your hygienist regularly is very important to maintaining the health of your teeth and gums. Not only do regular visits to have your teeth cleaned help keep teeth healthy, these visits can also help to uncover any potential underlying problems. Ideally, you should visit the hygienist for a thorough cleaning at least every 6 months. If you have dental insurance, most policies will pay for a cleaning twice a year and you should take advantage of this if you have it.

When selecting a hygienist, it’s important you find someone that you’re comfortable with. Oral care can be a sensitive subject for many people so it’s important that feel comfortable sharing any concerns or issues without feeling embarrassed or self-conscious. As with most other fields of health care, the dental hygiene field has some recent developments to help your hygienist provide better care. New diagnostic tools allow your dental practitioner to diagnose and treat many issues without the pain and discomfort that was associated with those procedures in the past.

We are a private dental practice located in Dayton, TX. At our practice we’re proud to provide our patients with all the care and amenities that come with a big city practice without the long wait times and informal care that often comes with larger dental offices. We work closely with our patients to help them develop a successful home care routine to keep their teeth and gums healthy between office visits. We have patients of all ages and can do most common dental procedures right here in our office. We’re always accepting new patients and would love to be your dentist in Dayton, TX.