National Dental Hygiene Month FAQs

The month of October is National Dental Hygiene Month, which means it’s the perfect time to teach your child about dental hygiene -- and how a good dental care routine now will last throughout adult years later.

Here are the top pediatric dental hygiene questions, answered, so you and your child can feel confident with their oral care now and in the future.

What is the best way to brush your teeth?

• Use a toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums.
• Brush the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces of the teeth.
• Brush in gentle up-and-down strokes to clean the inside of the teeth.
• To remove bacteria and freshen your breath, don’t forget to brush your tongue!

Need help getting your little ones to clean their chompers? Check out our tips and tricks here.

Is fluoride good or bad for children?
Too little or too much fluoride can both affect your child. Little to no fluoride will not help strengthen the teeth to fight against cavities. On the other hand, excessive fluoride can lead to dental fluorosis, which is a chalky white to brown discoloration of the permanent teeth.
TIP: Make sure your child uses the proper amount of fluoride toothpaste while brushing.
 
What is the right amount of fluoride for my child?
Fluoride has been shown to dramatically decrease a person's chances of getting cavities by making teeth stronger! As such, we recommend using fluoride toothpaste. If your child is younger than 3 years old, brush their teeth with an amount of fluoride toothpaste no larger than a grain of rice. Children, ages 3 to 6, should brush their teeth with a pea-sized amount. Once children are over the age of 6, ensure they are using fluoride properly and maintaining their dental care routine daily.
TIP: Teach your children right away how to spit out toothpaste rather than swallowing it.
 
How can I get rid of bad breath?
Halitosis, better known as bad breath, is caused by poor dental hygiene and plaque buildup. Remind your child to brush twice daily, floss, and rinse thoroughly in order to keep those mouth monsters away! 

When should I take my child to the dentist?
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the first visit to the dentist should be by your child’s first birthday. After that, depending on the child, you should schedule follow-up visits with your dentist every six months. This allows you to have peace of mind knowing that your child’s teeth are developing properly with a clean dental bill-of-health! 

To help your child maintain a healthy smile, make sure they keep up with their daily oral hygiene routine -- and, don’t forget to schedule your next appointment with the professionals at Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dentistry. We have three Long Island locations that specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and caring environment. 

October is National Dental Hygiene Month

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Now in its sixth consecutive year, the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) and the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company have teamed up for National Dental Hygiene Month to help in increasing awareness surrounding the importance of maintaining good oral health.
 

To echo these sentiments, we want to remind our patients and their families to “Do the Daily 4” - not just sometimes, but all the time.

1. Floss Daily. Flossing is specifically designed to reach all the areas of the mouth that the toothbrush may miss. Ensuring flossing is part of your daily dental care routine is important to prevent plaque buildup - which eventually can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
2. Brush 2x a Day. Once of the single most important methods for keeping mouth monsters at bay, brushing for two minutes twice a day is necessary to maintain healthy smiles.
3. Rinse with Mouthwash. Remember, your teeth aren’t the only things in your mouth. Your tongue and gums could benefit from some care as well. Finish your oral care routine with an antiseptic mouthwash that carries the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
4. Chew Sugar-Free Gum. Chewing sugar-free gum after eating is a fun way to help keep teeth healthy. Since chewing stimulates salivary glands and the flavors in sugar-free gum increase the quantity of saliva in the mouth, this ultimately helps in cleaning food particles and neutralizing plaque acids on teeth.

Maintaining good dental care habits not only benefits oral health but can improve your general health as well. Join us in celebrating National Dental Hygiene Month, give us a call to schedule an appointment today.

 

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dentistry has three Long Island locations. We specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and caring environment. Call (516) 798-1111 or visit our website to schedule an appointment. Don't forget to LIKE us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter for updates and industry news!

It's Almost National Dental Hygiene Month!

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Celebrate National Dental Hygiene Month this October! For the fifth consecutive year, the American Dental Hygienists’ Association and the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company are partnering to help raise awareness and promote good oral health.

Therefore we are taking the time to stress the importance of teaching your children proper dental hygiene techniques starting with brushing, flossing, and rinsing:

Brush - Always brush two minutes, two times a day - EVERY day!
Research shows this is the single most important method for reducing plaque and related diseases as well as cavities and gingivitis.

Floss - Daily
Flossing daily removes plaque and food particles that hide in the hard to reach places of the mouth.

Rinse - With mouthwash!
While brushing and flossing eliminates a decent amount of plaque and germs - your teeth only account for less than half of your mouth! Finish your oral care routine with an antiseptic mouthwash that carries the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

Remember, it is vital to teach your children proper dental hygiene at a young age. This way they can continue to practice proper techniques and show off a healthy smile as they grow! Join us in celebrating National Dental Hygiene Month, give us a call to schedule an appointment today.

Join the Monster-Free Mouth Movement for National Dental Hygiene Month

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Join the Monster-Free Mouth Movement in celebration of National Dental Hygiene Month this October. Talk to your kids about Ginger Bite-Us, Tartar the Terrible, and Tooth D.K. so you can work together to banish these mouth monsters for good:

Tooth decay is the number one chronic infectious disease among children in the US - beginning as early as age 1. With the help of us here at Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, together we will be your go to resource for tips on preventing this terrifying trio!