Health Canada recently posted about the significance of maintaining good ORAL Health
Oral health is not only important to our appearance and sense of well-being, but also to your overall health. Cavities and gum disease may contribute to many serious conditions, such as diabetes and respiratory diseases. Untreated cavities can also be painful and lead to serious infections. Studies are also currently examining whether there is a link between poor oral health and heart disease and between poor oral health and women delivering pre-term, low birth weight babies.
Maintaining good oral health includes keeping teeth free from cavities and preventing gum disease. Poor oral health can affect your appearance and self-esteem, and has been linked to sleeping problems, as well as behavioural and developmental problems in children. Poor oral health can also affect your ability to chew and digest food properly. Good nutrition is important to helping build strong teeth and gums that can resist disease and promote healing.
To maintain good oral health, you should take the following steps:
- Brush and floss your teeth daily. Using an antimicrobial mouth rinse as well can help to reduce the bacteria in your mouth.
- Visit your dental professional regularly to have your mouth examined. See your dental professional immediately if you notice any problems.
- Eat a healthy diet according to Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide.
- Do not smoke. If you do smoke, make sure to visit your dental professional regularly.
- If you are pregnant, be sure to eat healthy foods and maintain good oral health.
- Brush your children’s teeth for them, until they are able to write (not print) their own name. They should then be able to brush their own teeth with your guidance.
