OCEAN COUNTY – October is National Dental Hygiene Month. County officials are stressing the importance of good dental hygiene for overall good health.
“Everyone enjoys seeing smiling faces but there is some work involved and proper dental hygiene is a key,” Freeholder Director and Board of Health Liaison Gerry P. Little said. He acknowledged that dental care for adults is crucial for overall good health. “As such, in just the first nine months of 2018, the Ocean County Health Department has provided 133 dental education presentations to 3,373 residents of Ocean County and continues to offer presentations from early school age children to senior citizens.”
“In 2018, the awareness month is focusing on four routines that can help people maintain healthy smiles: brush, floss, rinse and chew,” Daniel E. Regenye, Ocean County Health Department Public Health Coordinator, said. “The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth twice a day, for two minutes, with a soft-bristled brush. The size and shape of the brush should fit the mouth allowing you to reach all areas easily.”
A toothbrush should be held at a 45-degree angle to the gums. The brush should be moved gently back and forth in short strokes; brush outer surfaces, inner surfaces and the chewing surfaces of the teeth. Then tilt the brush vertically and make up-and-down strokes to clean the inside teeth surfaces. Finally, brush the tongue to remove bacteria and keep breath fresh.
Regular visits to the dentist coupled with proper brushing and flossing can prevent or catch early gum disease and broken dental fillings. A dentist will also check for oral cancer, which claims more than 7,000 lives—mostly men—each year.
“Any community group or organization may contact the Ocean County Health Department to schedule a presentation or may visit the Ocean County Health Department’s website at ochd.org or check out our new website at phu2.org, to access and learn more about our Public Health is You Too! campaign to help equip you to take simple steps to improve your health and obtaining important resources for dental services,” Brian E. Rumpf, Director of Administration and Program Development, said.
