Say “cheese!”—It’s National Smile Month!
National Smile Month is the United Kingdom’s largest oral health campaign held annually across May and June. In 2009, the campaign ran in the United States and United Kingdom simultaneously for the first time. This year, National Smile Month runs from May 16- June 16.
The goal of National Smile Month is to improve public awareness about oral health with three key messages:
- Brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that you brush your teeth twice a day, for two minutes at a time. They also suggest that you floss and rinse your teeth with mouthwash once a day.
- Visit the dentist as recommended.
The ADA suggests that you stick to the regular dental visits recommended by your dentist. Some people require more visits per year than others, so it’s important to listen to your dentist’s recommendation. Personalized oral care is a necessity for good dental health.
- Cut down on sugary foods and drinks.
Consuming sugary foods and drinks can put you at risk for tooth decay. Tooth decay happens when plaque encounters sugar in the mouth, causing acid to attack the teeth. Common sources of sugary foods include soft drinks, candy and pastries.
Follow these guidelines to help keep your smile picture-perfect (and healthy!).
VBA dental plans are administered and underwritten by TruAssure and are offered in association with the DenteMax Plus dental network arrangement, which includes participating dentists from the United Concordia, DenteMax and Connection dental networks in all states but North Carolina, where the DenteMax Plus network arrangement includes DenteMax and Connection dental networks.