Maintaining oral hygiene is so important, and this year, we are excited to partner with Delta Dental on a NEW patch program that teaches girls about how their mouth links to their overall well-being. To earn the Delta Dental Smile Squad patch, Girl Scouts of all ages review good dental habits, try an oral health experiment, discover how hidden sugars can damage their teeth, and learn about the importance of brushing twice a day.

Before getting started on the patch program, check out the awesome information below from Dr. Desiree Palmer, DMD, PA:

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month and is a great time to brush up on your dental health. Below are some interesting facts and tips for maintaining your oral health (which happens to have a huge impact on your overall health, too!):

Did you know…?

1. If you skip flossing, you miss cleaning about 40% of your tooth surfaces.
2. The most popular toothbrush color is blue. Look around your house to see if it’s the most popular among your family members, too! No matter what color you use, remember to brush twice a day or after every meal.
3. Crunchy foods, like apples and celery, act as nature’s scrubbers on your teeth by helping to clean plaque and leftover food particles.
4. Each year, kids in North America spend close to half a million dollars on chewing gum. Chewing sugar-free gum after a meal can help reduce plaque, strengthen teeth and prevent tooth decay.
5. Dentists are disease detectives. Your dentist can detect over 120 signs and symptoms of non-dental diseases through a routine dental exam.
6. About 90% of bad breath stems from the tongue. Halitosis (bad breath) is caused by sulfur-producing bacteria on the tongue and in the throat. Brushing at least twice a day, using a fluoride-containing toothpaste, can help.
7. In 1866, Lucy Hobbs Taylor became the first woman to graduate from dental school.
8. Smiling not only offers a mood boost, but it also helps our bodies release the hormone cortisol and endorphins that can reduce blood pressure, reduce stress, and strengthen your immune system. So keep on smiling!
9. Water cleans your mouth with every sip! It washes away leftover food and residue that cavity-causing bacteria are looking for. It also dilutes the acids produced by the bacteria in your mouth. Drinking water throughout the day will go a long way toward keeping your smile cavity-free. It’s nature’s drink!

Remember: your smile is one of the first things people notice about you. It can give you confidence, reduce stress and more. So brush twice a day for two minutes each, floss once a day, and be sure to visit your dentist every six months to keep your mouth healthy. And don’t forget to smile!

Dr. Desiree Palmer, DMD, PA, is the owner of Desiree T. Palmer, DMD, PA and Associates and Bull City Dental that opened on historic Parrish Street, downtown Durham, in August of 2015. She has over 30 years of experience in the dental field and strives to provide patients with the best dental care available. She graduated with a degree in biochemistry from Mount Holyoke College and received her professional education from Tufts School of Dental Medicine. She holds professional memberships with the National Dental Association, the American Association of Women Dentists, the Academy of General Dentistry, Old North State Dental, and local study clubs.