Good oral and dental hygiene can help you prevent gum disease, tooth decay and bad breath. As a result, your teeth will remain healthy even when you grow older. The Canadian Health Association prioritizes oral health and thus has dedicated a national health month. Read on to learn more on matters of oral health.

What is National Oral Health Month?
April is Canada’s national oral health month. This is an event that the Canadian Health Association highly supports. The month aims to improve the quality of life of Canadians by promoting good oral health.

Why is the Month Important?
Compared to the other parts of the body, many people tend to forget issues going on in their mouths. Issues often ignored and result in low quality of life are; mouth infections or bleeding and tender gums. Oral concerns may impact one’s life negatively.

‘Why is Oral Health Month significant?’ You might ask, the oral health month serves as a reminder to Canadians of the relevance of maintaining good oral hygiene. Such includes; brushing is not limited to two times a day, the relevance of flossing and paying regular dental visits.

The Importance of Good Oral Health
What’s often said is that your mouth impacts your overall health. Therefore, not taking care of your teeth will lead to myriad health issues. Health problems you can avoid by maintaining good oral health include hearts diseases and diabetes. This being said, it is essential to visit us at the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa. These visits will help you ascertain whether your oral health is in good condition. 

Signs and Symptoms of an Oral Condition
As stated above, people tend to ignore certain aspects of their mouths. It is paramount to be aware of the symptoms of bad oral health. One primary indicator that you have an oral health issue is pain in the mouth. For example, a toothache may be a sign of early gum disease or cavities in the mouth.

Another symptom of an oral condition is sore or bleeding gums. This is a significant issue as it might mean that you have gingivitis. An additional symptom to watch out for is mouth sores. This might indicate bacteria in your mouth or that you are suffering from mouth infections.

A final common symptom of an oral condition is chronic bad breath. It is a warning sign of gum disease. Also, watch out for loose or lost teeth are signs of advanced gum disease. When you notice any of these signs, it would be best to visit the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa. This move will ensure that you get an early diagnosis and treatment of the condition.

Foods and Drinks to Avoid to Maintain Good Oral Health
There is much more to the “you are what you eat” statement. This is most important when it comes to your gums and teeth. It would be best to watch what goes into your mouth as they might later affect your smile.

Avoiding sugary foods is the first step to maintaining food oral health. Note that the sugar content in these foods is a source of bacteria in your mouth. The more you feed on the sugary things, the more the bacteria will multiply in your mouth. When the bacteria feed on these sugars, they produce acids that gradually destroy your enamel leading to tooth decay.

Like sugary foods, keeping off carbonated drinks is necessary for good oral health. Sodas have a high sugar content that will lead to tooth cavities and decay. Also, bear in mind that you are not safe drinking diet sodas. These sodas are highly acidic. The high acidic content will damage your enamel, making them susceptible to dental erosion.

The last thing to avoid is hard and crunchy treats. When foods are hard and crunchy, there is a tendency of biting down too hard, which might lead to cracks or chips or, even worse, breaking your teeth. With a broken tooth, you are at high risk of having gum disease as bacteria can have access to the inner layer of the teeth.

To maintain good oral health, visit our professionals at the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa. Our dental specialists will look out for any symptoms of oral condition and prescribe an effective treatment option. Happy National Oral Health Month!