The Quad

Issue date: 10/8/07 Section: Features

This month is not all about costumes and Halloween candy; it is also about brushing, flossing and dental hygiene.

October is National Dental Hygiene Month, sponsored by the American Dental Hygienists' Association. This month-long observation is devoted to stressing the importance of oral hygiene. This year's theme is "A Healthy Smile Lasts a Lifetime."

"The goal of Dental Hygiene Month is to get information out to the public and raise awareness of the importance of dental hygiene," Jane Vaith, a registered dental hygienist and member of the American Dental Hygienist Association, said.

According to WebMD, with proper care, teeth and gums can stay healthy for a lifetime. With proper oral hygiene, the risks for tooth decay and gum disease lessen. Brushing, flossing, eating right and visiting a dentist regularly can help keep your smile healthy.

"Tooth decay caused by the repetitive drinking of soda and sugared fruit juices is a reoccurring problem I see with young adults," Vaith said.

Drinking soda can have a significant impact on your teeth, Vaith explained. If someone is a soda drinker, s/he should not sip on it for an extended period of time. Drink the soda within 10-15 minutes and then rinse the mouth with water. If a person sips, it is like putting a sugar cube into your mouth every time you lift the soda bottle to your mouth, Vaith said.

The American Dental Association offers the following advice. It is important that a person cleans between teeth daily with floss. Decay causing bacteria can still linger between teeth where toothbrush bristles cannot reach. Flossing helps remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line.

Poor dental hygiene can lead to tooth decay, loss of teeth, gum disease and bad breath. People can go from having no dental problems to several cavities in a short time. Dental hygiene should be a concern for everyone, Vaith said.

Robyn Spragins, registered nurse and assistant director of Student Health and Wellness Center, said that the West Chester University Health Center does not provide any dental care. The health center can assist students in finding a local dentist, but there is no dentist on staff.

If students experience some dental pain accompanied with a fever and ear pain the health center recommends a visit to examine the possibility of a sinus infection or other illnesses. If students are experiencing tooth and gum pain and sensitivity to hot and cold, the health center recommends students visit a dentist.

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