Are You Properly Brushing Your Teeth?
WITH THE EVERY KID OUTDOORS PROGRAM What if your child could hike through the Redwoods in California, chase waterfalls in Yosemite, get up close and personal with bison in Yellowstone, and go whale watching in Olympic National Park — all for free ? In 2019, President Trump signed the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management and Recreation Act into law, which supplied funding for the Every Kid Outdoors program (formerly known as Every Kid in a Park) for the following seven years. With one special pass, all fourth graders in the U.S. can explore spectacular areas in our nation while creating unforgettable experiences and lifelong connections to nature. The Every Kid Outdoors program is a collaborative effort between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Forest Service, the Department of the Interior, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It ensures every child, along with their siblings and up to three adults (or a car full of people who want to tag along), has the opportunity to explore some of America’s most beautiful landscapes and wildlife. To sign up and get traveling, all a fourth grader needs to do is complete an adventure diary at EveryKidOutdoors.gov and download a voucher. A teacher may also get passes for their entire class. A pass is good for multiple uses in different national parks around the U.S. for an entire year and must be printed and presented in person, as electronic copies are not accepted. The pass expires on Aug. 31, 2023, but you can sign up for the 2023-2024 pass starting Sept. 1, 2023! Not only does nature make a fantastic classroom, but exploring and gaining an appreciation for our national parks is also fascinating. Kindle your fourth grader’s love for nature and help them get out and explore today with an Every Kid Outdoors voucher. Geysers, canyons, waterfalls, forests, and deserts await! LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINTS AND TAKE ONLY PICTURES
One of the most important things you should do to maintain good oral health is brush your teeth twice daily. But did you know that making some simple yet common mistakes while brushing your teeth can actually negatively impact your oral health?
Here are four brushing mistakes you want to avoid.
SCRUBBING YOUR TEETH TOO HARD Some people will scrub their teeth like they’re cleaning the gunk off a kitchen countertop. Unlike the counter, your teeth do not require much pressure! If you’re brushing too hard, you can damage the enamel on your teeth and cause your gums to recede. If you’re wondering if you’re a hard brusher, look at your toothbrush. If the bristles are frayed, you’re brushing too hard! USING A TOOTHBRUSH WITH STIFF BRISTLES When you walk down the toothbrush aisle, you’ll see an overwhelming selection to pick from. To help narrow your choices, you want a toothbrush with soft bristles, as they will bend more easily to clean under the gum line. Hard bristles can wear away at your enamel, which can never be replaced.
KEEPING YOUR TOOTHBRUSH FOR TOO LONG According to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, you should replace manual
toothbrushes or electric brush heads every 3–4 months. When you have worn bristles, the ends of the strands are more abrasive, which can damage tooth enamel and gum tissue. Old
toothbrushes can also collect bacteria and contain fungus, mold, and other microorganisms
that negatively impact oral health.
NOT BRUSHING LONG ENOUGH The Journal of Dental Hygiene stated that most people brush their teeth for 45 seconds. But the recommended time you should spend brushing is two minutes. If you can brush for two minutes, you can remove around 26% of the plaque on your teeth. You also want to ensure you’re brushing the five surfaces on each of your teeth: front, back, top (the chewing surface), and the mesial (sides that touch your other teeth). These are mistakes many of us have made, and that’s okay! You have time to develop better oral health habits, and we can help you along your journey! Please call us if you would like to schedule an appointment or have any questions or concerns.
2 • WWW.ATOWNDENTAL.COM
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