Simple Dental Tips to Help Improve Oral Health

  • Published
  • By 60th Dental Squadron
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  October is national dental hygiene month. Dental health is one of the most neglected parts of the human body. Unhealthy teeth and gums can cause serious health concerns for your overall health, as well as affect your ability to chew and speak. Staff Sgt. Marylyn Bergmann, dental hygienist for the 60th Dental Squadron explains to her patients, "The roots of your teeth are only about six inches away from the brain, so do not ignore the importance of good oral hygiene." 

Here are six simple tips to improve your oral health during daily hygiene 

1) When applying tooth-paste on a tooth brush it should be the size of a green pea. 

2) Always use soft tooth brushes, and remember to change you brush at least every 3 months. 

3) When brushing your teeth it should feel like a massage not a scrub, you should barely hear the bristles against your teeth. Also if the bristles look frayed before the end of 3 months you are probably brushing too hard. 

4) Even electric tooth brush heads should be changed every 3 months. Purchase 4 replacement heads at a time to help you save money and time. With replacement heads at your disposal, you are more likely to change the head when needed. 

5) Children under two years old should refrain from using whitening toothpastes. 

6) Check the expiration date when purchasing toothpaste.