Smile! It’s National Oral Health Care Month

April is National Oral Health Care Month which means there’s no better time to start taking better care of those pearly whites. With many unknown dangers associated with poor oral health that extend beyond just cavities, it’s important to make sure your quality of life isn’t impacted in a bad way; Oral pain, missing teeth and infections are no fun to deal with. So take care of your entire body—including your mouth—for a head to toe reinvigorated you.

Here are some ways to practice excellent oral health care for you and your family:

Teach good habits at a young age

Many of us know that good (and bad) habits are hard to break. Teach your children good oral health care habits early on, as it will get them in a daily routine and help avoid future dental troubles. Did you know that 60-90% of children experience tooth decay?1. Introduce toothpaste with fluoride like Orajel™ Super Mario ™ Kids Fluoride Toothpaste after the age of 2 years or when your dentist recommends it to help fight cavities from the get-go. To make teeth time extra fun, try new Spinbrush™ My Little Pony ™ or Super Mario ™ battery brushes so kids can practice healthy habits with the help of their favourite characters. Children under age 3 years should use the brush under adult supervision.

Keep your mouth as clean as a whistle

While most of us know this, it’s a good reminder to make sure you’re brushing and flossing at least twice a day to achieve optimal oral health. Check out the New Arm & Hammer™ Spinbrush Manual brush to blast away plaque and keep your smile shining bright. For all the sweet tooth’s out there, it can be hard to resist those decadent desserts. But foods high in sugar, even fruit and wine can stain your teeth. Try Arm & Hammer™ Truly Radiant™ Rejuvenating Paste to tackle tough stains left on your teeth from one too many sweet treats.

Look out for red flags

Make sure you’re looking out for signs of trouble in your mouth. Bleeding, red or swollen gums? Bad breath that won’t go away?* These can be signs of gum disease that should be looked at by a dentist. Take all the preventative measures you can, such as staying away from tobacco and practicing good overall lifestyle habits that will help you be your healthiest, and best self.

This month make it your mantra to take extra special care of your oral health and wear a smile you’re proud of.

¹ World Health Organization: http://www.who.int/oral_health/media/en/orh_report03_en.pdf

² Canadian Dental Association: http://www.cda-adc.ca/en/oral_health/cfyt/good_for_life/default.asp