Orthodontist Offers Free Oral Health Consultation, Dental Health Packet June is National Oral Health Month
Quick. What’s the most important five minutes of your day?
Oral hygiene experts (such as Orthodontists, Dentists) believe the answer is flossing, which is vital, not only to the health of your teeth, gums and mouth, but also to your overall health.
June is National Oral Health Month sponsored by the American Dental Association. It serves as a reminder of the importance of good oral hygiene.
Dr. Andrew Chase of ARCH Orthodontics says, “We often hear people say, ’It’s just a small spacing or crowding issue,’ but even those can lead to big problems. Nasty stuff thrives between your teeth. Daily flossing – along with brushing and rinsing with mouthwash — removes sticky bacteria that turns into plaque, the icky stuff that settles on teeth, causes cavities, irritates gums, and can lead to gum disease. But — If teeth are not properly spaced, or if they’re crooked or have rough edges, it’s difficult to brush and floss all five of each tooth’s surfaces. That’s where your Orthodontist can help by improving spacing and your smile.”
Plaque begins to harden within hours of the last time you ate and, after 48 hours, it’s stuck to your teeth and requires a professional cleaning to remove it. Dr. Chase says it’s important to clean every surface on every tooth at least twice a day. Other reasons that flossing is so critical:
- The more you floss, the less your gums will bleed.
- The cleaner your mouth, the better chance of reducing serious health problems like heart disease, stroke and diabetes. The key is stopping plaque from entering the bloodstream via the gums where bacteria and toxins can spread go anywhere and trigger inflammation throughout the body.
- Cleaning between teeth can prevent accumulation of bacteria and the start of cavities.
- A cleaner mouth makes you feel better about yourself and stops mouth odor.
Dr. Chase says, “Make flossing part of your daily routine, schedule dental visits twice a year, and see your Orthodontist when needed. Your body, your health, and those around you will greatly appreciate it!” He says many patients like to floss while watching TV at night.
“Every child should have an Orthodontic check-up by age 7,” says Dr. Chase. “This allows for an accurate diagnosis, treatment plan, and timetable for what care a child may need over the following 5 to 10 years. Early diagnosis is critical to prevent extensive, difficult Orthodontic treatment later on.” For those with braces, ARCH recommends the ‘Rule of 5’s’: 5 places to brush; brush 5 times a day; brush for 5 minutes; at the end of the day, floss and rinse with fluoride for 5 minutes.
ARCH Orthodontics offers free initial consultation (a $500 value) and interest-free financing. To mark National Oral Health Month during June, prospective patients will receive a free oral health kit including a toothbrush, floss and instructions on proper flossing. Courtesy discounts are offered to anyone serving in the military and their families and veterans, and to municipal employees in the eight towns where ARCH has offices. To learn more, call 781-209-6776, email smilemaker@archorthodontics.com or visit www.archorthodontics.com.
– By Stan Hurwitz / stanhurwitz@gmail.com
