H is for Hygiene! It’s National Dental Hygiene Month!

H is for Hygiene! It’s National Dental Hygiene Month!

Have you thanked your dental hygienist recently? Well, now is the perfect time because October is National Dental Hygiene Month! FDA’s caring and wonderful team of hygienists are truly the heart of our practice. Alex, Diann, Erin, Jean, Kelly, and Lydianne are who you see at every cleaning appointment and are all committed to patient comfort and care. Their love of building relationships is what helps our patients find an individualized oral health care routine that supports whole-body health. As a fun way to honor our amazing hygienists and encourage you to practice excellent dental hygiene, we’ve spelled out some hygienist-approved tips and reasons why Alex, Diann, Erin, Jean, Kelly, and Lydianne are such amazing and compassionate professionals!

H is for hydrate! Drinking plenty of water improves oral health. It washes away leftover food and cavity-causing bacteria.

Y is for yogurt! Yogurt is a healthy snack that will support your oral health as well as your overall health. It’s full of calcium for strong teeth and the probiotics will support a healthy mouth.

G is for gentle! Patient comfort comes first. With a gentle touch, our team of hygienists provide a calm and caring environment for patients to receive the best oral care.

I is for individual! We see each patient as a unique individual and get to know your personal history and dental needs. We work with you to find the right oral care and treatments.

E is for education! Our hygienists are life-long learners committed to staying on top of the latest dental technologies and treatment. Plus, they *love* educating patients on best practices.

N is for nice! You’ll never meet a nicer, more caring group of oral health professionals. Alex, Diann, Erin, Jean, Kelly, and Lydianne are people you will enjoy seeing at your regular appointments.

I is for interproximal cleaning! Also known as flossing, interproximal cleaning is our hygienists number one oral hygiene tip for patients. Whether you use traditional floss or “Plackers,” find what works for you and stick with it!

S is for smile. Our hygienists love helping patients achieve the smile of their dreams. We also love seeing the smiles on our patients’ faces when they leave our office feeling heard and cared for.

T is for toothbrush – electric, please! If you haven’t invested in an electric toothbrush yet, now is the time. Our hygienists swear by electric toothbrushes – they are more effective at removing plaque than a manual toothbrush and stimulate the gum tissue, which promotes gum health.

Thank you to our hygienists extraordinaire – Alex, Diann, Erin, Jean, Kelly, and Lydianne! Next time you come in for an appointment, please be sure to say thank you, too – or give them a shout out on our Facebook page!  If you have any questions about oral hygiene tips or want to go over your oral health care routine, give us a call at 207.781.5900. We are here to be your partner in excellent oral health care.

We Heart Our Hygienists!

We Heart Our Hygienists!

It’s National Dental Hygiene Month!

Get out your toothbrush and floss..it’s National Dental Hygiene Month! This month-long campaign is focused on raising public awareness about oral health and hygiene as well as a reminder to practice daily habits that promote healthy teeth and gums. At FDA, we have an amazing team of hygienists who are wonderful ambassadors of excellent oral health care: Alex, Diann, Erin, Jean, Kelly and Lydianne. They are always putting their patients’ comfort first and they love educating others about setting up a personalized and effective oral health routine. We heart our hygienists!! In honor of our rock star hygienists and National Dental Hygiene Month, here are our top three – hygienist-approved – tips for daily oral health care!

Brush!

It’s not rocket science, just good old-fashioned oral hygiene. Get yourself an ADA-approved toothbrush with soft bristles and treat your teeth and gums to a gentle massage twice a day for two minutes. Bonus points if you upgrade to an electric toothbrush – they are more effective at removing plaque. Think of your daily brushing routine as an important part of your self-care routine. If you’d like a demonstration of the best way to brush, ask your hygienist at your next appointment. They are experts!

Floss!

We know this can be a tough one to incorporate into your daily routine, but flossing once a day is a crucial component of oral health. Flossing gets into all the nooks and crannies where the brush doesn’t reach and cavity-causing bacteria can hide. If you find flossing difficult, try a water flosser or use a product like ‘Go-Betweens’ or ‘Plackers.’ Find an option that works for you and stick with it! Your gums and teeth will be grateful!

Eat well!

Oral health and hygiene are one part of a self-care routine for your overall wellness. Eating a healthy diet full of vitamins and minerals is not only good for your body, but it’s good for your teeth and gums, too! There are lots of ways to pack your plate with mouth-friendly food: load up on crunchy veggies and leafy greens, grab a hunk of cheese for extra calcium, sip on green tea for extra antioxidants. Need more ideas? Chat with Alex, Diann, Erin, Jean, Kelly, or Lydianne at your next appointment…think of them as your partners in oral health and hygiene!

While good oral hygiene is important every month, we hope you help us spread the word about the easy ways you can incorporate mouth-friendly daily habits into your self-care routine this October. Also – give some gratitude to your hygienist at your next appointment. They are truly compassionate professionals and work hard every day to make sure our family of patients feel cared for and comfortable. If you have questions or want to go over your healthcare routine, give us a call: 207.781.5900. We are here to be your partner in excellent oral health care!