A lot of things start to happen in October. It’s the beginning of Fall weather, many people are gearing up for Halloween, and some are even starting to think about Thanksgiving and Christmas. However, did you know that October is also National Dental Hygiene Month? It’s when dental professionals around the country take the time to acknowledge the great work done by dental hygienists every day to keep patients’ smiles clean and sparkling. In honor of the occasion, here are a few simple tips from our hygiene team that will ensure you and your family always have excellent dental hygiene in El Reno.

1. Brush for the right amount of time

Most people already know that they need to brush at least 2-3 times a day, but do you know how long each session should be? Our hygienists and the American Dental Association recommend that people should brush for at least two minutes every time, spending about 30 seconds on each quarter of their mouth. To make life easy, it’s a good idea to set a timer on your phone. For children, there is a multitude of dental apps that can play a little song or have a cartoon character brush along with them to ensure they last the entire two minutes.

2. Don’t forget to floss!

Despite what you may have seen in the news the past few years, flossing is still an essential part of taking care of your teeth. You only need to floss once a day, preferably after your last meal, to get the maximum benefit. This will clean the small areas between your teeth that your brush can’t reach, which will not only help keep the cavities away, but also make sure that your breath stays nice and fresh!

3. Enjoy a nice rinse

After you or your child have cleaned your teeth, make sure you rinse your mouth either with water or a non-alcoholic mouthwash. This will flush out all of those food particles and bacteria you have just knocked loose from your teeth.

4. Have a nice tall glass of…

Water! Regularly drinking water throughout the day won’t only keep you hydrated, but it’s also great for your oral health. Every time you take a sip of water, it will rinse your mouth and remove excess food particles and bacteria. By doing this throughout the day, you’ll ensure that pesky plaque won’t have the chance to damage your teeth.

5. Don’t be a stranger to your dentist!

Even if you and your family follow all of these tips to the letter, you should still visit your dentist in El Reno at least twice a year for checkups and cleanings. This will enable Dr. Cohlmia or Dr. Faulconer to catch and treat any small issues you might have before they can become a major headache. And, a dedicated cleaning from one of our hygienists will remove harmful plaque and tartar from all of those areas in your mouth your tools at home just aren’t able to reach. They can also break up minor surface stains to keep your smile nice and white!

At El Reno Family Dentistry, our hygiene team is truly worth celebrating. They’re essential to what we do here, and by following these tips throughout the year, you can ensure that your visits with us are always short and sweet! To get more dental tips you and your family can use every day, or to schedule your next appointment, give us a call today.