Brushing and flossing teeth help to achieve a healthy smile, but the full importance of oral health care is often misunderstood. Good dental habits can promote good overall health, so brushing and flossing daily, eating well and visiting an oral health care professional regularly mean more than just a brighter smile and fresh breath.
Medical research has established links between oral health and diseases such as diabetes and respiratory illness. People with diabetes are at greater risk for gum disease and it has been proven that the same bacteria found in dental plaque can be inhaled into the lungs where it may aggravate an existing lung condition or cause an infection. Studies are investigating whether pregnant women with gum disease are at higher risk for delivering pre-term and low birth weight babies. And new research suggests a possible connection between gum disease and heart disease and stroke.
Poor oral health can also have social consequences. A healthy mouth helps people speak properly and chew food and enhances self-esteem. Oral diseases can be painful and debilitating and, in severe cases, if left untreated, can lead to life-threatening complications.
Oral health care should begin before a child’s first tooth appears. Introducing good oral health care practices at birth helps to minimize the risk of early childhood tooth decay, a disease that can form rapidly, affecting babies and young children. It also sets the foundation for good oral health care, contributing to a better overall quality of life.
It is important to take good care of your oral health though all ages and stages.
According to the Canadian Health Measures Survey 2007 to 2009 (CHMS), the only clinically measured national data on oral health conditions, 17.3 per cent of Canadians reported avoiding a visit to an oral health care professional and 16.5 per cent reported declining recommended care due to costs. Although cavities can largely be prevented, 57 per cent of children aged six to 11, 59 per cent of youth aged 12 to 19 and 96 per cent of adults surveyed had a history of cavities. As well, 21 per cent of adults with natural teeth reported they have had a moderate or severe gum problem. The CHMS also concluded lower income families and people with no dental insurance were declining visits or recommended care three to four times more often than higher income families. These survey findings clearly identify income as a strong determinant of access to oral health care and good oral health.
The goal of York Region’s Community and Health Services dental program is to increase oral health awareness among children and parents and to provide dental screening, targeted preventive care and early dental treatment for eligible children. According to the 2006 census, approximately 15 per cent of York Region children under the age of 18 live in low-income households that may find the cost of dental services prohibitive. Through regional and provincial funding, the program offers no-cost dental screening and preventive dental services to eligible children until their 18th birthday.
In 2009, York Region screened more than 49,000 children. As well, approximately 1,000 children and youth were administered preventive dental treatment and more than 2,900 children and youth with urgent dental needs were referred for treatment to community dentists under the Children In Need Of Treatment (CINOT) program.
CINOT is an urgent dental care program funded by the province and York Region. In the past two years, as part of Ontario’s Poverty Reduction Strategy, the CINOT program was expanded to include children up to their 18th birthday and Healthy Smiles Ontario, a new provincial no-cost dental program, was launched for low-income children and youth under 18.
April is National Oral Health Month. This year, take further steps to actively improve your oral health. Work with your oral health care professional to maintain a healthy mouth. Proper oral health care practices can be instilled at a young age. By taking preventative steps to improve and maintain oral health, you reduce the risks of oral and other diseases for a better quality of life.
Visit york.ca for more information on dental services, programs and eligibility requirements or call York Region Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653 or TTY
1-866-252-9933.
Dr. Erica Weir, MD, MSc, CCFP, FRCPC, is Associate Medical Officer of Health, York Region Community and Health Services Department.
Medical research has established links between oral health and diseases such as diabetes and respiratory illness. People with diabetes are at greater risk for gum disease and it has been proven that the same bacteria found in dental plaque can be inhaled into the lungs where it may aggravate an existing lung condition or cause an infection. Studies are investigating whether pregnant women with gum disease are at higher risk for delivering pre-term and low birth weight babies. And new research suggests a possible connection between gum disease and heart disease and stroke.
Poor oral health can also have social consequences. A healthy mouth helps people speak properly and chew food and enhances self-esteem. Oral diseases can be painful and debilitating and, in severe cases, if left untreated, can lead to life-threatening complications.
Oral health care should begin before a child’s first tooth appears. Introducing good oral health care practices at birth helps to minimize the risk of early childhood tooth decay, a disease that can form rapidly, affecting babies and young children. It also sets the foundation for good oral health care, contributing to a better overall quality of life.
It is important to take good care of your oral health though all ages and stages.
According to the Canadian Health Measures Survey 2007 to 2009 (CHMS), the only clinically measured national data on oral health conditions, 17.3 per cent of Canadians reported avoiding a visit to an oral health care professional and 16.5 per cent reported declining recommended care due to costs. Although cavities can largely be prevented, 57 per cent of children aged six to 11, 59 per cent of youth aged 12 to 19 and 96 per cent of adults surveyed had a history of cavities. As well, 21 per cent of adults with natural teeth reported they have had a moderate or severe gum problem. The CHMS also concluded lower income families and people with no dental insurance were declining visits or recommended care three to four times more often than higher income families. These survey findings clearly identify income as a strong determinant of access to oral health care and good oral health.
The goal of York Region’s Community and Health Services dental program is to increase oral health awareness among children and parents and to provide dental screening, targeted preventive care and early dental treatment for eligible children. According to the 2006 census, approximately 15 per cent of York Region children under the age of 18 live in low-income households that may find the cost of dental services prohibitive. Through regional and provincial funding, the program offers no-cost dental screening and preventive dental services to eligible children until their 18th birthday.
In 2009, York Region screened more than 49,000 children. As well, approximately 1,000 children and youth were administered preventive dental treatment and more than 2,900 children and youth with urgent dental needs were referred for treatment to community dentists under the Children In Need Of Treatment (CINOT) program.
CINOT is an urgent dental care program funded by the province and York Region. In the past two years, as part of Ontario’s Poverty Reduction Strategy, the CINOT program was expanded to include children up to their 18th birthday and Healthy Smiles Ontario, a new provincial no-cost dental program, was launched for low-income children and youth under 18.
April is National Oral Health Month. This year, take further steps to actively improve your oral health. Work with your oral health care professional to maintain a healthy mouth. Proper oral health care practices can be instilled at a young age. By taking preventative steps to improve and maintain oral health, you reduce the risks of oral and other diseases for a better quality of life.
Visit york.ca for more information on dental services, programs and eligibility requirements or call York Region Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653 or TTY
1-866-252-9933.
Dr. Erica Weir, MD, MSc, CCFP, FRCPC, is Associate Medical Officer of Health, York Region Community and Health Services Department.
Do you have a public health-related question? Call York Region Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653
- Dr. Erica Weir — beingwell magazine
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- Apr 07, 2011 - 1:29 P
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