It’s simple. Healthy habits for a healthy smile.

What better time to celebrate National Dental Hygiene Month than October?

The store isles are bursting with tempting, oversized bags of candy corn and peanut butter pumpkins.  And when your children come home from trick-or-treating, you’re sure to sneak a few pieces yourself.

So it makes sense to take this month to reiterate the importance of healthy habits that lead to a healthy smile.  Not just in October, but all year round.  Not just for you, but for your entire family.

As the title says – It’s simple.  Healthy habits = healthy smile (and healthy body, for that matter).

But what are those crucial daily steps that stand between you and a beautiful, white, problem-free smile?

Let’s go over them now.

1. BRUSH 2 minutes 2x a day.  Brushing your teeth for two minutes is perhaps the single most important step you can take to reduce plaque and diseases such as cavities and gingivitis.  If you must, set a timer until you naturally get in the habit of brushing the proper length of time.

2. FLOSS daily.  There are some places your toothbrush simply can’t reach.  That’s where floss comes in.  Floss helps prevent buildup between the teeth and under the gumline.  Don’t want to see eventual brown stains between your teeth?  Floss daily.

3. RINSE with mouthwash.  Brushing and flossing remove bacteria from your teeth, but including a daily rinse with mouthwash into your routine can further eliminate plaque and gingivitis germs from other places in your mouth.  Think of it an extra precaution, to make your hygiene more thorough.

4. VISIT YOUR DENTIST at least twice a year.  All the brushing, flossing, and rinsing you do cannot make up for not seeing a dentist regularly.  Your dentist can reach and remove with special tools things you cannot on your own.  Go too long without seeing a dentist, and you will probably start to see the consequences, those that are visible, anyway.

This October, enjoy your candy, but make dental hygiene a top priority.  Trust us, your wallet, health, and smile will thank you later!!

As always, if you live in or around the Atlanta, Alpharetta, or Roswell areas, and would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sarah Roberts, call 678-319-0123 or email us today.