May/June 2025 | Page 23

Place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums and move the brush back and forth gently in short strokes.

Brush the outer surfaces, the inside surfaces and the chewing surfaces of all teeth.

To clean the inside surface of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several up-and-down strokes.

Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and keep your breath fresh.

Place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums and move the brush back and forth gently in short strokes.

Brush the outer surfaces, the inside surfaces and the chewing surfaces of all teeth.

To clean the inside surface of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several up-and-down strokes.

Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and keep your breath fresh.

This year, the American Dental Association( ADA) emphasized the importance of brushing during February’ s National Children’ s Dental Health Month( NCDHM) promotion. ADA offered materials( including a Brushing Calendar) to promote dental health year-round, rather than just a one-month dental health theme. Downloadable materials included the messages,“ Forever in My Brushing Era,” and“ Brushing Fights Cavities, Bruh.”

PDA distributed information about the annual promotion and our poster contest to schools and member dentists statewide beginning in January. In addition, we also used our social media channels and sent several emails to promote the contest to elementary schools and families across the state. PDA’ s electronic lesson plan kits contained information geared toward third-grade students, classroom activities, coloring sheets and interactive games.

The lesson plan kits also included instructions for entering the PDA-sponsored, third-grade poster contest, in which PDA annually awards $ 850 in monetary prizes to the students who design the top three posters. In addition, the first-place winner’ s school and teacher each receive $ 250. This year, the PDA Central Office received 350 creative entries for judging.

Forever In My Brushing Era

I brush my teeth twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste to keep my smile strong.

Brushing Fights Cavities, Bruh

I brush my teeth twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste to keep my smile strong.

For more resources, visit: MouthHealthy. org

Downloadable materials

MAY / JUNE 2025 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 21