ADHA, Wrigley partner to promote oral health

Collaborating for the fifth consecutive year during October for National Dental Hygiene Month, the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) and the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, the makers of Orbit sugar-free gum, are showcasing their commitment to educate the public on the importance of developing a daily oral health regimen of "Brush, Floss, Rinse, Chew," and how such a program can help not only improve individuals' oral health, but their overall health as well.

"Dental hygienists work daily with people of all ages, educating the public on the importance of developing strong oral health habits such as twice-daily brushing, daily flossing, the daily use of an antimicrobial mouthwash, and chewing sugar-free gum after meals," said ADHA President Kelli Swanson Jaecks, MA, RDH, in a press release. "A healthy mouth is an important part of disease prevention, both for oral health and overall health."

The Wrigley Company Foundation, in partnership with the ADHA Institute for Oral Health, will offer community service grants of $2,500 or $5,000 to dental hygienists who are pursuing projects intended to improve their community's oral health.

Dental hygienists can find valuable resources to share with patients on the ADHA website, including fact sheets in both English and Spanish, as well as research and data on the benefits of chewing sugar-free gum after meals to help prevent cavities and other oral health problems.