When you receive your orders to change bases, a lot is going to need to happen in your personal and professional life to make it happen. PCSing isn’t easy and in the mix, it’s understandable that certain things may fall by the wayside. Unfortunately, your oral hygiene routine can be easily put on the backburner; however, while this may seem insignificant, it can lead to serious, expensive health issues down the road. Get the facts and learn how to avoid poor oral hygiene when you’re moving from base to base.

Why Is Oral Hygiene Important?

Keeping up with your oral hygiene has positive effects on your overall health, but neglecting it can also cause harmful repercussions to your well-being as well.

Regular brushing, flossing, and using disclosing tablets to spot hidden plaque can prevent tooth decay and gum disease, even in tricky areas like underfillings or gum recession.

Bad oral hygiene can do more than just harm your teeth—it increases the risk of serious health issues like cardiovascular disease due to bacteria from gum disease entering the bloodstream.

Gum disease can increase blood sugar levels, worsening or causing diabetes, and is linked to a higher risk of kidney disease.

Maintaining proper oral hygiene is particularly important for military members during PCSing.

Despite the stress of PCSing, taking care of your teeth is vital for overall health.

Oral Hygiene Tips While PCSing

Keeping up with your oral hygiene routine when moving bases isn’t just good for fresh breath or a pretty smile, it’s essential for your overall health.

Your ability to operate on the battlefield, train every day, and be the best person you can be overall is going to include maintaining the best oral hygiene routine you can.

Here are three great tips to help you stay on track with your oral hygiene for better health and a better life.

Prioritize Your Routine

When you make oral hygiene a priority, you’re going to see positive results. Set reminders, build a routine, and stay consistent with brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash when you wake up and again at night.

Two minutes of brushing twice per day and flossing once can provide you with less plaque for a healthier body along with a brighter smile.

Make Healthier Choices

Good oral hygiene isn’t just about brushing your teeth and making better choices when eating.

Choosing water over acidic, sugary drinks like soda and chewing sugar-free gum stimulates saliva.

Enjoying nuts or veggies as a snack instead of sugary junk food can help you maintain your overall health, including your oral health.

Do recon in advance when moving to find healthier options along your travel route and near your new home to avoid falling into familiar snacks that may not be the best option.

Schedule Checkups

Just like going to the doctor, it’s important to take advantage of seeing an oral health specialist whenever possible.

Service members have the option of enrolling in the TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) and should schedule routine checkups along with cleanings at least once per year.

At Aspen Dental, scheduling your dental care is made easy. A noted name within the military community, the team of experts can help you pick up where you leave off after PCSing seamlessly.

Because there are more than 1,100 offices nationwide, you can easily transfer and access your dental records, for a smoother transition for your family.

No matter where your orders are sending you, Aspen Dental remains an elite dental care option for military families, offering quality care, flexible scheduling options, and the ability to keep track of your oral health easily.

Military Save 30% on Oral Hygiene Services From Aspen Dental

Following all of the oral hygiene instructions remains incomplete if you don’t take the time to have your mouth examined each year, which is why the experienced team at Aspen Dental is here to help military families.

Here’s why Aspen Dental is a great choice for military families:

No insurance? No problem! Military families receive 30% off dental services*.

Your files are easily transferred no matter where you move and with over 1,100 locations throughout the U.S., you’ll find affordable dental care no matter which base you call home.

Best of all, this is dental care on your schedule. Call ahead to make an appointment or simply walk in. Whatever works for your needs.

In over a decade, Aspen Dental has helped more than 33,000 Veterans and high-need patients, all while donating $26+ million in free dental services through Aspen Dental initiatives: "Day of Service" and "A Smile for Your Service."

Offering a staff of general dentists and specialists all under one roof, Aspen Dental provides elite oral hygiene for service members and their families. Schedule your appointment today to save on your dental care.

*Offer available in select offices. Not valid for previous or ongoing work and cannot be combined with other discounts or dental discount programs. Not valid for orthodontics. Discount taken off usual and customary fees for general dentistry services and does not apply to services rendered by a specialist. Patients with insurance will receive either the 30% discount or insurance plan pricing, whichever discount is greater. Offer expires 12/31/24.

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This article is a result of a paid collaboration with Aspen Dental.