08 Apr 2011
We all know that good dental hygiene is important for good oral health. However, we are increasingly becoming aware that good oral health also has a direct impact on our overall health.
Research has linked bacteria in the mouth to diabetes and pneumonia, and suggests that there may be a link between dental disease and other health problems like heart disease and stroke, as well as pre-term and low birth weight babies.
Even without these relationships to other serious health problems, untreated dental decay can lead to pain and infections. Poor oral health can also affect a person's quality of life, impacting on self-esteem, appearance, the ability to chew and digest food properly as well as the quality of sleep.
Prevention is the key. Brushing with toothpaste containing fluoride, access to community fluoridated water, using dental floss and visiting the dentist and dental hygienist regularly helps to keep teeth free from cavities and prevent gum disease.
Healthy habits have an impact on your dental health, too. Eating nutritious food helps build strong teeth and gums that can resist disease and promote healing. Avoiding tobacco is important for oral health as smoking is a significant factor for oral and dental disease, including oral cancer.
It’s important to begin good oral habits early in life and continue to practice prevention as we age. Children need help brushing their teeth until they can write (not print) their name. A good habit for children to get into is the two-for-two rule—brush twice a day for two minutes each time.
The health unit’s Oral Health team provides dental screening for children and teens up to age 18 in Simcoe and Muskoka. Children and teens up to the age of 18 who do not have a dental plan and cannot afford a dentist can receive treatment for urgent dental cavities and other serious problems through the Children in Need of Treatment Program (CINOT).
Complementing these programs is the new no-cost dental health program, Healthy Smiles Ontario. Healthy Smiles Ontario offers preventative and early diagnosis and treatment for children 17 and under from families with a net family income of $20,000 who do not have access to any form of dental coverage.
Children can access the program three ways: through the health unit’s full dental clinic in Barrie; through a mobile dental clinic that will visit communities in Simcoe Muskoka on a rotating basis; and through participating dentists and dental hygienists. The program gives eligible children free access to services like check-ups, cleaning, fillings, X-rays, scaling and more. By offering dental treatment to children, we will be able to prevent cavities and other dental problems that can contribute to diseases later in life.
Keeping healthy teeth is an important part of maintaining lifelong overall health and well-being. For more information about your oral health or the oral health programs offered by the health unit, call Your Health Connection at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday or check www.simcoemuskokahealth.org.
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Dr. Gardner is Simcoe Muskoka’s medical officer of health.
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