April is Oral Health Month: How to Make Sure You Have Great Oral Health

Did you know that April is Oral Health Month in Canada? It’s a time when we hope many of our patients will stop and pause for a minute to consider the importance of good dental health. Good oral care includes brushing your teeth at least twice every day, daily flossing, and, equally importantly, regular visits to our dentist here at Margolian Dentistry. It is an easy routine that helps keep your mouth healthy and, at the same time, helps protect your overall health.

People often ignore signs of poor oral health such as tender or bleeding gums, sore spots in their mouth or bad breath, thinking they will clear up without professional dental care. In comparison, if someone notices something wrong with their overall health, they will almost certainly book an appointment to see their GP. Oral health deserves just as much attention!

When someone doesn’t have optimal dental health, it can affect their quality of life. Missing teeth, teeth infections, and gum disease can influence the foods that can be eaten comfortably and can increase anxiety over social interactions, especially those sharing meals. Additionally, correcting extensive oral health problems can be time-consuming and potentially expensive. Regular dental checkups in Whitby are an easy way to ensure small problems are picked up and treated before they become larger and more costly to remedy.

Sometimes oral health problems are a symptom of something more serious like oral cancer in Oshawa. Each year more than 3000 Canadians are diagnosed with this disease, often very late in the day when it is trickier to treat. When oral cancer is detected early, the survival rates significantly improve. People may not realize that dentists are trained to screen for oral cancer, and we can include oral cancer checks during your regular dental checkups.

Caring for Your Mouth in between Checkups

Follow these easy tips to help keep your mouth in great shape in between checkups.

  1. Make sure you brush at least twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste that has received the Canadian Dental Association seal of approval.
  2. Be sure to floss daily, and if you hate flossing, try other tools or ask us for help and advice during your next visit.
  3. Be mindful of what you eat and when. Try not to snack between meals and limit your intake of sugary and acidic foods that can increase the risk of cavities. When you want something sweet to eat, include it as part of the main meal as this helps reduce damage to your teeth.
  4. Pay attention to any changes inside your mouth. For example, bleeding gums can indicate the early signs of gum disease. Becoming more sensitive to hot and cold and sweet and sour foods could signify tooth decay. Be especially aware of any changes to the tissues inside your mouth, such as white or red patches, unexplained bleeding or numbness, or sore spots that fail to heal after a week or two. If you notice these changes, contact us straight away for help and advice.
  5. If you currently smoke, try hard to quit as smoking can cause extensive oral health problems, not to mention bad breath and stained teeth.

If you haven’t visited a dentist for a while, now is a great time to schedule that appointment. We are a family-oriented dental practice in Ajax, welcoming people of all ages. We never judge, knowing not everybody finds it easy to visit a dentist regularly. Our kind and compassionate dental team especially welcome anyone experiencing dental fears or anxieties, and you can trust us to work with you to help you overcome these feelings.

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