October 2023 Observances:
- National ADHD Awareness Month
- “Moving Forward with ADHD” is this year’s theme.
- National Blindness Awareness Month
- Recommendations: Watch your sugar, wash your hands frequently, wear sunglasses, avoid eye strain and visit eye doctor.
- National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- “Every day, more than 700 women in the U.S. are diagnosed with breast cancer.” #MoreThanBCAM
- National Bullying Prevention Month
- This year’s theme: “Make A Noise About Bullying.”
- National Dental Hygiene Month
- National Domestic Violence Month
- Hotline: 1 800-799-(SAFE) TTY for the deaf
- National Down Syndrome Month
- National Eye Injury Prevention Month
- National Health Literacy Month
- National Health Lung Month
- National Hispanic Heritage Month
- National Home Eye Safety Month
- According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), 50% of eye injuries occur at home.
- National LGBT History Month
- National Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month
- National Physical Therapy Month
- National Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month
- National Prenatal-onset Group B Strep (GBS) Disease Recognition Month
- National Spina Bifida Awareness Month
- National Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month
- Anyone can use automated external defibrillators (AEDs), which are portable, life-saving devices designed to treat people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, a medical condition in which the heart stops beating suddenly and unexpectedly.
- National Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Safety Reminders for Halloween and Beyond
October is National Health Literacy Month. “Health literacy” means people can obtain, process, understand and communicate the health-related information necessary to make informed health decisions.
It’s a good thing to keep in mind with Halloween on the horizon. Health and safety are a great addition to any costume.
According to Family Eye Physicians, Halloween is a time to prevent eye scratches, sores, infections and vision loss. The site recommends steering clear of costumes that “either fully or partially block vision, such as masks, eye patches, wigs, floppy hats, or fake gore on or around the eye.”
They also advise that you avoid sharp or pointed costume props such as swords, wands, knives and sticks that may injure your eye or the eyes of others.”
Along with eye protection, it is also important to think about your oral health. National Dental Hygiene Month was established by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) in 2009 in order to encourage good oral health and to celebrate dental hygienists.
According to adha.org, “Dental hygienists are preventive oral health professionals, licensed in dental hygiene, who provide educational, clinical and therapeutic services that support total health through promotion of optimal oral health.”
Enjoying Halloween and candy is tricky for a person’s health, starting with the mouth. But what is unhealthy for the teeth? Hard candy can break teeth, but what may be worse is sucking on a piece for a long time. Spit, or saliva, is meant to be a certain pH level of neutral, but when carbs, like table sugar, are introduced, the pH becomes acidic. It’s that acid that burns a hole in the tooth so that over time, a cavity is developed.
The acid is the result of a biochemical process between the teeth and bacteria, known as plaque, or biofilm, or oral microbiome, on the teeth digesting the sugar (stickier the better) and then excreting acid.
The best thing to do for the teeth and the body is to eat a good nutritious meal before going out to trick or treat. That way, you’ll eat less candy because you’ll be full.
Brush and floss the microbial plaque before heading out for the night so that the acid attack on the teeth will be minimal. After all, the microbial colonies have been disturbed or killed until another 24 hours goes by.
Prevention is the key to good health choices. Stay hydrated, drink plenty of fluoridated tap water, brush and floss the teeth you want to keep, and visit a registered dental hygienist.
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