October is here, and our Regal Dentistry team in Riverside, California, along with Dr. Joel Manalese want to wish you and yours a healthy Halloween. To help you do this, we would like to share some tips from the American Dental Hygienists’ Association. To encourage our patients to find a balance between celebrating the holiday festivities and preserving those healthy smiles you have worked so hard to achieve, you can practice the National Dental Hygiene Month’s message of Do The Daily 4. So, what exactly does the daily four entail?
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 the four most important things you can do each day to ensure a healthy smile. And while October is also the month of Halloween, you can help your family make healthy choices. Fill bowls with small oranges, tangerines or clementines decorated like jack-o-lanterns with non-toxic ink instead of candy. 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 your loved one’s smiles!
At Regal Dentistry in Riverside, California, Dr. Joel Manalese and our dedicated team wish you and yours a safe, healthy, happy Halloween! If you have any questions about your family’s oral health or would like to schedule a visit, please call us today at 951-643-4405.