feature articles - cdhafiles.cdha.ca/.../ndhw_feature_articles_2017.pdf · brighten your smile....

Feature Articles 2017

HEALTHY GUMS. HEALTHY LIFE.

Sponsored by:


1

Canada’s seniors can keep on smilingLosing your teeth is not a normal part of aging. Thanks to healthier lifestyles, advances in oral and medical care, and a growing awareness of the importance of dental hygiene, seniors can expect to keep most, if not all, of their teeth as they age.

But keeping those natural teeth healthy can be a challenge. Many medications taken by older adults can cause dry mouth, a condition that can contribute to cavities and other oral health problems. Seniors also develop more cavities on the roots of their teeth than younger adults.

Dental hygienists encourage all older adults to brush their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean in between their teeth at least once a day. They also advise anyone with dentures (full or partial) and their caregivers to clean and soak dentures daily, and brush and massage the gums either with a soft toothbrush or a warm, damp cloth.

Whether you’re at home or in a long-term care residence, good oral hygiene coupled with professional oral care from a dental hygienist can help to prevent more serious health problems and keep you smiling.

Find more information at www.dentalhygienecanada.ca.


2

Tips for your baby’s tooth careFrom the moment your baby’s first tooth appears, you can reduce the risks of dental decay by practicing good oral hygiene habits. Here are some quick and easy tips:

• Clean your baby’s newly erupted teeth with a small, soft toothbrush.

• Use floss to clean between all teeth that are touching.

• Check for early warning signs by lifting up your baby’s top lip. White, chalky teeth or brown or black stained teeth indicate a problem. Contact your dental professional immediately.

• Avoid putting your baby to bed with a bottle.

• Don’t lick your baby’s pacifier, as you may pass along cavity-causing germs.

• Introduce fresh fruits and vegetables to your baby’s diet when appropriate and always encourage healthy eating.

• Offer water or unsweetened drinks in baby bottles and sippy cups.

• Begin regular dental visits by age one.



3

Daily oral hygiene habits for toddlers, teens and in between Good oral health is essential to total health and well-being at any age. Here are some useful tips to help the young people in your family with their daily oral hygiene habits.

Toddlers: Show them how to brush every tooth surface and their tongue with fluoride toothpaste twice a day, and make sure that they spit out the toothpaste when done. Kids can also learn how to clean between their teeth at this age.

Tweens: Encourage tweens to clean between their teeth once a day, in addition to brushing twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste.

Teenagers: Remind your teens to brush their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash, and clean in between the teeth at least once a day.

And, of course, children of all ages should be encouraged to make healthy food and beverage choices, avoiding sugary snacks and carbonated drinks in particular.



4

How diet affects your dental hygiene Keeping your teeth and mouth healthy requires more than just daily brushing, flossing and rinsing. Did you know that the food and beverage choices you make have an impact on your oral health? The more sugar you eat, the worse off your teeth will be. Sugar-rich food and beverages contribute to the erosion of tooth enamel and increase the risks of tooth decay.

As your partners in prevention, dental hygienists offer simple tips to keep your mouth and body healthy:

• Make water your beverage of choice.

• Eat foods from all four food groups.

• Avoid sugary snacks, carbonated beverages, and chewy, sticky foods.

• Brush twice a day for two minutes each time.

• Clean between your teeth and use an antiseptic mouthwash daily.

During your next appointment, ask your dental hygienist about healthy food and beverage choices so that your smile remains bright for a lifetime. Find more tips and information at www.dentalhygienecanada.ca.


5

4 oral health myths debunkedDental hygienists are primary healthcare providers who teach Canadians how to maintain healthy teeth and gums on a daily basis. Here they offer some advice on how to achieve a mega-watt smile.

1. If my teeth look great and don’t hurt, then they are healthy. FALSE. Regular dental hygiene care is important for the early detection of cavities and gum disease. Often by the time there is pain, advanced disease is present. Early detection by a dental professional can prevent lengthy and costly treatments.

2. Gum disease and gingivitis are normal and unavoidable. FALSE. Gingivitis and gum disease are preventable with proper oral care. Gingivitis is an inflammatory response of the gums to bacterial infection and can be reversed with improved oral hygiene at home. But gum disease destroys the supporting tissues, including the bone, and is non-reversible. To prevent these conditions from developing, schedule regular visits with your dental hygienist.

3. Blood in the sink while brushing is normal. FALSE. During regular tooth brushing, blood in the sink or a pink toothbrush indicates the presence of inflammation. Professional dental hygiene care along with improved oral care at home can enable everyone to maintain healthy gums and teeth.

4. Bleaching your teeth is dangerous. FALSE. There are many ways to brighten your smile. Sometimes there will be an increase in sensitivity during the period of bleaching, but side effects from tooth whitening are generally uncommon. To keep your smile safe, arrange for a full oral exam prior to tooth whitening.



6

Prevent oral disease with some help Dental hygienists are primary healthcare providers who work in dental offices, clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, and the community. They examine your mouth, head and neck at every appointment and recommend preventive treatments. To ensure optimal oral health, scaling and root planing are common for adults, as are dental sealants or fluoride for children.

As your partner in disease prevention, your dental hygienist knows that good oral health is essential for total health and well-being. Chronic gum infection is associated with cardiovascular problems such as heart disease, blockages of blood vessels and strokes. Gum disease is associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Together with your dental hygienist, you can develop a good daily oral hygiene plan based on these six simple steps:

1. Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.

2. Clean between your teeth daily.

3. Rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash once a day.

4. Eat healthy foods and avoid sugary treats.

5. Eliminate tobacco use.

6. Schedule regular dental visits.

Talk to your dental hygienist about improving your oral health and find more information at www.dentalhygienecanada.ca.


7

Take 5 simple steps to improve your oral health Dental hygienists want us all to commit to a good daily oral hygiene routine because they know that oral health is essential to overall health and well-being. As our partners in disease prevention, they tell us that taking care of our mouth can be done in five easy steps:

1. Brush teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.

2. Clean between teeth and rinse using an antiseptic mouthwash daily.

3. Make healthy food and beverage choices.

4. Eliminate tobacco use.

5. Add a visit to your dental hygienist every six months.


8

Springtime smiles: April is oral health monthAs part of oral health month in Canada, National Dental Hygienists Week takes place from April 8 to14. The week’s theme is “Oral Health for Total Health,” a reminder that taking care of the mouth, teeth and gums benefits our overall physical and mental well-being.

Sponsored by the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association, which serves as the collective national voice for more than 28,495 dental hygienists across the country, this awareness week is a perfect opportunity to make oral hygiene a priority in our daily lives.

Why not help your smile shine by setting new dental health goals for yourself? Start with six simple steps: brush, floss, use an oral rinse, eat a healthy diet, eliminate tobacco use, and see a dental hygienist regularly.

Dental hygienists are primary healthcare providers who work in a variety of settings, including independent dental hygiene practice, with people of all ages. Responsible for more than just cleaning teeth, they work with us to develop daily oral care routines and offer treatment recommendations and disease prevention strategies. Whether calming down toddlers at their first dental visit or providing care to adults with periodontal disease, dental hygienists want everyone to enjoy a healthy smile for life.

Find more information at www.cdha.ca/ndhw.


9

How sports mouth guards protect your smile Protecting your pearly whites is important, especially if you’ve invested a lot in orthodontics or other dental treatments. That’s why it pays to use a mouth guard when playing sports.

Dental hygienists see first-hand the impact of injuries to the teeth, gums, and jaws, and so recommend custom-fitted mouth guards as a cost-effective investment in protection. While the average cost of a custom-fitted sports mouth guard can be as low as $50, the estimated cost to treat a lost front tooth over a lifetime can range from $5,000 to $10,000.

Dental hygienists can custom-fit a sports mouth guard for you during a regular visit. If you play hockey, soccer, football, rugby, martial arts, lacrosse, boxing, basketball, baseball, or if you enjoy BMX, skateboarding, skiing or snowboarding, find out if your sports organization requires mandatory mouth guard protection. If it doesn’t, ask why.



10

How to reduce your risk of oral cancerTobacco use, alcohol consumption, sun exposure especially to the lips, and the human papillomavirus (HPV) are all known risk factors for oral and oropharyngeal cancers. By modifying our lifestyle, ensuring that our children receive the HPV vaccine, and scheduling regular dental hygiene visits, we can reduce our risks of illness.

Dental hygienists provide oral cancer screenings at each appointment and will make referrals to specialists if they spot anything unusual. They remind us to watch for the following changes in our mouths between appointments:

• Alterations to the colour or texture of gums, cheeks or tongue

• Mouth lumps or sores that do not heal within 14 days

• Chronic sore throat or cough

• Difficulty swallowing

• Lumps in the neck, including those that aren’t bothersome

• Mouth or ear pain

Most cancers of the mouth can be treated if detected early; the five-year survival rate in such cases is almost 90 per cent. Find more information at www.dentalhygienecanada.ca.

www.cdha.ca/ndhw

HEALTHY GUMS. HEALTHY LIFE.

Sponsored by:

feature articles - cdhafiles.cdha.ca/.../ndhw_feature_articles_2017.pdf · brighten your smile....

Documents