DID YOU KNOW THAT OCTOBER ISDENTAL HYGIENE MONTH? You didnt? Well, with your orthodontic treatment underway, dental hygiene is more important than ever! So in honor of Dental Hygiene Month,our team presents a few basics for you to keep in mind.

The word cavity gets tossed around a lot. Do you know exactly what a cavity is, and what causes them? Heres a very short refresher course.Cavities are hollows left in your teeth when decay happens. Decay, or dental caries is actually an oral diseaseabacterial infection in your mouth. When this bacterial infectionbuilds up on your teeth, it forms plaque.Having this bacteria doesnt necessarily mean you have tooth decay. But when the bacteria interacts with sugars and starches, enamel-eating acid is created. So your first defense against tooth decay is your diet. With braces, even more food will get stuck in your teeth, so beware sticky foods and soft drinks.

Your second defense against tooth decayis keeping your teeth clean!Brush your teeth twice a day and be sure to floss so theres less chance of creating acids that can wear down tooth enamel.Brushing also counteracts the plaque and tartar thats building up over time.And remember that even with your own consistent care at home,regular professional checkups and cleanings are vitalfor sound oral health.

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Now, Put YOUR Knowledge To The Test With This Short Quiz!

Now that youre an expert on dental health basics, how do you think youd stack up on a little quiz? Surprisingly the average grade on this quiz is a D! But were sure that our patients will do better than that!

How Did You Do On The Quiz? Let Us Know!

After you take the quiz, leave us a comment below, or visit our Facebook page and comment or message us!

As always, if you have any questions about your oral health or any dental-related subject, ask us! Were here to keep you healthy and informed.

Thanks, as always, for being our valued friends and patients!