The American Dental Hygienists' Association and Wrigley Emphasize the Importance of Healthy Habits for a Healthy Smile this National Dental Hygiene Month

CHICAGO, Oct. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --With the theme "It's simple. Healthy habits for a healthy smile," the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) celebrates National Dental Hygiene Month (NDHM) in October. ADHA, in collaboration with the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, manufacturer of Orbit® sugarfree gum, promotes the idea that good oral hygiene habits are simple to establish and maintain, yet play a critical role in ensuring a healthy mouth and smile.

"Doing a little can mean a lot in terms of making sure you have excellent oral health," ADHA President Pam Quinones, RDH, BS, said. "Combined with visiting your dental hygienist twice a year, the four simple steps of brushing, flossing, rinsing with an anti-microbial mouth rinse, and chewing sugar-free gum are an easy way to help maintain a healthy smile. With the simplicity of these steps there's no reason anyone can't do them, even on the go."

"Brush, Floss, Rinse, Chew" is an easy-to-remember slogan which reminds people that maintaining good oral hygiene habits can have lasting effects.  Keeping a healthy mouth can help prevent oral disease.

Brushing your teeth for two minutes at least twice daily can reduce plaque build-up and the risk of diseases like cavities and gingivitis; flossing removes plaque and food particles under the gumline and between your teeth; rinsing your mouth each day with an anti-microbial mouth rinse is another important step in preventing gum disease; and chewing sugar-free gum like Orbit® after eating stimulates saliva production, which helps neutralizes plaque acids, remineralizes enamel to strengthen teeth and washes away food particles.

Continuing their support of NDHM and dental hygienists nationwide, the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company Foundation will again be giving up to $60,000 in community service grants, in the amount of $2,500 and $5,000 per grantee, to applicants who are involved in a specific community health project.

"Chewing sugar-free gum after meals, drinks or while you are on the go is proven to be an important part of good oral health," said Victor Mehren, a senior marketing director at Wrigley.  "Wrigley is pleased to partner with the ADHA again this year to help spread the word on how a simple routine can make a big difference."

For further details about NDHM, go to www.adha.org/ndhm/index.html.

Learn about Wrigley's Oral Health Programs at http://www.wrigley.com/global/benefits-of-chewing/improve-oral-health.aspx.

ADHA is the largest national organization representing the professional interests of more than 150,000 dental hygienists across the country. Dental hygienists are preventive oral health professionals, licensed in dental hygiene, who provide educational, clinical and therapeutic services that support total health through the promotion of optimal oral health. For more information about ADHA, dental hygiene or the link between oral health and general health, visit ADHA at www.adha.org.

About Wrigley Oral Healthcare Programs
For more than 25 years, Wrigley Oral Healthcare Programs have supported independent, clinical research into the benefits of chewing gum including saliva stimulation, plaque acid neutralization, and tooth strengthening to help oral care professionals and their patients understand the role of sugar-free gum as a convenient tool for everyday oral care.  Today, Wrigley operates oral healthcare programs in 47 countries worldwide. 

SOURCE American Dental Hygienists' Association