Healthy, strong and pearly white – Let our experts help with your coverage of National Dental Hygiene Month

It’s probably no coincidence that National Dental Hygiene Month also falls on the same month as Halloween. The importance of people of all ages to maintain strong and healthy gums, teeth and mouths is key to overall health and wellbeing for every American.

But how you care and effectively practice proper dental hygiene might not be as obvious as one might think.

According to the Unum study, most parents (90 percent) were on track in believing children should brush their teeth at least twice a day, but recent research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates parents may be overdoing it on the amount of toothpaste their little ones are using. Toothpaste contains fluoride, which prevents cavities, but if young children ingest too much, it can discolor and pit permanent teeth. The CDC recommends children younger than 3 years old use an amount the size of a rice grain, and children ages 3 to 6 years old use a pea-sized amount.

And it’s not just care, people also need to be aware of the costs of not brushing and flossing.

Unum also found that 41 percent of adults cite the cost of dental care, including out of pocket costs for procedures, as the top stressor about their personal oral health. This figure was higher among women (46 percent) than men (37 percent), and among workers ages 50-64 (45 percent).

“It’s no surprise that the thought of going to the dentist evokes anxiety, but cost doesn’t need to be the trigger,” said Amy Marko, SVP of dental and vision products for Unum. “Dental insurance plans typically cover preventive care costs and significantly reduce the cost of other dental procedures, making oral health much more affordable. We also find that employees with dental insurance are more likely to use their dental benefits and seek preventive care, which can prevent bigger health issues down the road.”

If you are a journalist covering National Dental Hygiene Month – let our experts help.

Anna Marko is the Senior Vice President of Dental and Vision Products at Unum. She is available to speak with media regarding the importance of dental hygiene and National Dental Hygiene Month. Simply click on her icon to arrange an interview.