RINSE, FLOSS, BRUSH, REPEAT!

Earlier this year, between May 15 and June 15, dental clinics, individuals and organizations around the world celebrated National Smile Month. The month-long campaign, which promotes good oral health habits, puts a spotlight on the need for education leading to improved tooth and mouth care – something about which our staff at Lakeport Dental office feel very strongly. 

During this year’s events, the campaign promoted brushing at least twice per day using fluoride toothpaste; cutting down on sugary drinks and treats, and visiting the dentist’s office twice per year for cleaning and preventive treatments. The campaign’s aim is to make a positive difference to the oral health of millions of people. And judging by a change in the ​statistics for the UK, it’s working:

While the campaign hasn’t yet taken off on this side of the pond, residents of the UK have answered poll questions that should make Canadians and Americans sit up and take notice: Any improvement they can make to their oral health care can go a long way to adding longevity to their smiles.

The following poll answers were recorded in 2017:

• - One in four adults, including one-third of men polled, admitted they don’t brush twice per day;
• - One in 10 adults admits they regularly forget to brush their teeth;
• - Only 31 per cent of adults use mouthwash;
• ​- 42 per cent of adults polled use just a toothbrush and toothpaste for oral care;- 
• - Fewer than a quarter of adults polled admits they do not floss regularly;
• - One in three people has never flossed his or her teeth.

One of the main points of this year’s education program dealt with those who brush only once per day. If this is you, you could be as much as 33 per cent more likely to develop tooth decay. Of course, tooth decay can be made worse by many factors: Diet; whether or not a person smokes; whether or not a person consumes alcoholic beverages; level of education and other societal markers.

At Lakeport Dental, we don’t want our patients to suffer from tooth decay prematurely, or at all. We are urging Niagarans to make just a few improvements to their oral health habits: Flossing once per day; using an oral rinse both morning and night and when brushing is not possible, and switching out one sugary beverage per day for a fresh, cool glass of water. Once your children see you adding dental floss and mouth rinse to your toothbrushing rituals, they’ll copy you: It’s how they learn. The trick is to give them good oral health habits from a young age. That’s why our Lakeport Dental staff came up with the following mantra – say it with us:

“Rinse, Floss, Brush, Repeat!”

Follow this advice, and you’ll become an oral health success story, ready to face any poll the National Smile Month people can put out there.

​Want to talk to us about your oral health habits? To discuss your options, call our offices at
905-934-0235.

​Click Here to Schedule an Appointment!