Article at a Glance
- National Dentist’s Day is March 6th every year and it’s the perfect day to thank dentists for all they do.
- There are many ways to celebrate National Dentist’s Day including scheduling an appointment for a checkup and adopting better oral care habits!
- A great way to show appreciation for your dentist is to give them a shout-out on social media with the hashtag #NationalDentistsDay.
March 6th marks National Dentist’s Day, an annual day of appreciation for dentists who work hard to keep our mouths healthy and our smiles bright and beautiful. Your oral health plays a big role in your overall well-being, so take the time to thank your dentist for all they do to keep you healthy!
What is National Dentist’s Day?
Annually celebrated on March 6th, National Dentist’s Day was established to show appreciation while raising awareness of the importance of oral health and proper oral care. It is not just intended to celebrate dentists but all dental health professionals including orthodontists, dental assistants, and dental hygienists. There is even historical significance to the day we celebrate National Dentist’s Day. On March 6, 1790 George Washington’s dentist, John Greenwood, invented the first dental foot engine.
How to Celebrate National Dentist’s Day
The most important way to celebrate National Dentist’s Day is to keep good oral care habits. Show your dentist that you care about your mouth as much as they do by taking care of your teeth and gums. There are plenty of other ways you can celebrate dental health professionals, too!
- Help raise awareness about dental health by encouraging friends and family to visit the dentist or work with your child to improve their techniques.
- Scheduled your own appointment to get checked out and cleaned up by the professionals.
- Post pictures of your smile or of you with your dentist and give them a shout out on social media. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #NationalDentistsDay!
How to Show Appreciation for Your Dentist
From preventative dentistry to emergency care and everything in between, dentists work hard to keep smiles healthy. National Dentist’s Day is a time to show your appreciation for your dentist’s dedication to your mouth! There are many ways to show your appreciation for your dentist.
- Drop off or mail a thank you card with a handwritten note of appreciation.
- Send flowers, lunch, or a fruit basket to their office on March 6th.
- Pick up a personalized or tooth-inspired gift like a necklace, keychain, mug, or pin to let your dentist know you appreciate what they do.
- Gift cards are always welcome and let your dentist know you appreciate that they have lives outside of the office too!
Fun Facts About Dentists and Teeth
What national day would be complete without some fun facts that entertain and raise awareness? Share some of these tidbits and you’re sure to impress friends and family.
- The University of Maryland School of Dentistry was established in 1840 by Dr. Horace H. Hayden and Dr. Chapin A. Harris. It was the world’s first dental college.
- Right handed people tend to chew on their right side while left handed people tend to chew on the left.
- Tongues and teeth are like fingerprints because everybody’s tongue and teeth prints are unique.
- George Washington didn’t actually have wooden teeth. His dentures were made from gold, hippopotamus tusk, elephant ivory, and human teeth.
- On average, women smile 62 times per day while men only smile about 8 times per day. Still, your smile is the first facial feature noticed by half of the people you see every day.
- The first known dentist lived in Egypt over 5,000 years ago, a man by the name of Hesi-Re.
- Lucy Beaman Hobbs became the first female licensed dentist in 1866.
Dental Care Tips
Did you know that over the course of a lifetime, the average American spends approximately 38.5 days brushing their teeth? Given the importance of your oral health and that you’ll spend more than a month brushing your teeth, you want to make sure you’re doing it correctly.
- Brush twice per day for at least two minutes and be careful not to scrub too hard because you don’t want to scrub away your enamel.
- Make sure you’re brushing your gums to remove the bacteria and debris that causes gum disease.
- Don’t forget to floss at least once per day to remove residue between teeth. If you skip flossing, you’re missing about 40% of your tooth surfaces.
- Limit sugary foods and drinks because people who drink 3 or more glasses of soda per day are more likely to have tooth decay and loss. Choose water instead!
- Replace your toothbrush every three months.
- See your dentist twice per year for check-ups and
If it’s been a while since you’ve seen your dentist or you know you’re due for a check-up, find a Jefferson Dental Care office near you to make an appointment today!
Additional Sources:
https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/dentists-day-in-the-usa-2018/
https://pearlywhites.com/blogs/news/celebrate-national-dentist-day
