Feature Articles 2018 Sponsored by:
Oral healthcare for seniors Today s seniors can expect to keep most, if not all, of their teeth as they age thanks to healthier lifestyles and advances in oral and medical care. But keeping those natural teeth healthy can be a challenge. Restricted mobility, cognitive impairments and medications that cause dry mouth can all contribute to oral problems and complicate treatment. Even more worrisome is the fact that bacteria from the mouth can travel through the body, resulting in serious infections and inflammation that can lead to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and stroke. 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 dentures and any remaining teeth 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, daily mouth and denture care coupled with professional oral care from a dental hygienist can help prevent more serious health problems and keep you smiling. Find more information at www.dentalhygienecanada.ca/seniors 1
Children s oral health begins at home Good oral health is essential to total health and well-being at any age. Parents and guardians can reduce the risks of dental decay by helping children and youth with their daily oral hygiene care. From the moment your baby is born, you should wipe his or her gums after every feeding. Once the first tooth appears, clean your baby s teeth with a small, soft toothbrush and use floss to clean between teeth that are touching. Young children should be taught how to brush their teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and to clean between their teeth. Continue to assist them with brushing until they have the dexterity to do it properly on their own. Remind your teenagers that brushing their teeth only takes two minutes twice a day, followed by oral rinsing and cleaning in between the teeth. Let them know about the latest apps designed to make oral hygiene care more fun and interactive. 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. Together with regular visits to a dental hygienist beginning at age one, your guidance will give your children and teens something to smile about. Find more tips at www.dentalhygienecanada.ca/kids. 2
Healthy eating for healthy teeth Food and beverage choices affect your oral and overall health. The more sugar you eat, the worse off your teeth and body will be. Sugar-rich foods increase the risks of tooth decay and obesity, and carbonated beverages, which are also high in sugar, contribute to the erosion of tooth enamel. As your partners in prevention, dental hygienists remind you to maintain a balanced and nutritious diet so that teeth and gums receive the nutrients that are essential to maintaining oral and overall health. They offer five simple tips: 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 dental appointment, ask your dental hygienist about healthy food and beverage choices that will keep your smile bright for a lifetime. Watch for the release of the revised Canada Food Guide later this year, and find more tips at www.dentalhygienecanada.ca. 3
4 truths about your oral health Dental hygienists, our partners in disease prevention, know the importance of maintaining healthy teeth and gums. They share their wisdom at every dental visit, debunking the oral health myths that prevent us from enjoying a perfect smile. Here are some facts you need to know. 1. Gum disease is not normal and unavoidable. Gum disease is preventable with proper oral care. Gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease, is an inflammatory response of the gums to bacterial infection and can be reversed with improved oral hygiene at home. In contrast, more advanced forms of gum disease destroy the supporting tissues, including the bone, and are non-reversible. To prevent these conditions from developing, schedule regular visits with your dental hygienist. 2. Blood in the sink while brushing is not normal. During regular toothbrushing, 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 not dangerous. There are many safe ways to brighten your smile. To keep your teeth safe, arrange for a full oral exam prior to tooth whitening and consult your oral health professional for advice about the best bleaching options for you. Find more tips at www.dentalhygienecanada.ca. 3. Even if your teeth look great and don t hurt, they may not be healthy. Regular dental hygiene care is important for the early detection and prevention 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. 4
Dental hygienists: Oral health care superheroes Dental hygienists are oral health experts and primary healthcare providers. They work in traditional dental offices and independent dental hygiene practices, clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities and the community. As healthcare superheroes, dental hygienists examine your mouth, head and neck at every appointment and offer preventive treatments such as scaling and root planing, dental sealants and fluoride. They may also provide dietary recommendations, tobacco cessation counselling, sports mouthguard fittings and oral cancer screenings. Because good oral health is essential for total health and well-being, you and your dental hygienist can work together to 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 hygiene visits. There is a lot of expertise behind that mask. Talk to your dental hygienist about improving your oral health and find more information at www.dentalhygienecanada.ca. 5
A 6-step plan for better oral health Oral health is essential to overall health and well-being. As our partners in disease prevention, dental hygienists encourage us to commit to a good daily oral hygiene routine. All it takes is six simple steps: 1. Brush teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. 2. Clean between teeth daily. 3. Rinse using an antiseptic mouthwash once a day. 4. Make healthy food and beverage choices. 5. Eliminate tobacco use. 6. Add a visit to your dental hygienist every six months. 6
Celebrate your smile during oral health month National Dental Hygienists Week takes place from April 7 to13 as part of oral health month in Canada. The week s theme, Oral Health for Total Health, reminds us that taking care of our mouths, teeth and gums benefits our overall physical and mental well-being. Sponsored by the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association, which is the collective national voice for more than 29,000 dental hygienists across the country, this awareness week is a perfect opportunity to make oral hygiene a priority in our daily lives. In April, why not set new dental health goals to help your smile shine? 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 with people of all ages. They help us develop daily oral care routines and offer treatment recommendations and disease prevention strategies. Whether making dental visits fun for young children or providing care to adults with periodontal disease, dental hygienists want everyone to enjoy a healthy smile for life. Consider nominating your dental hygienist as a healthcare superhero today the competition closes April 30 and there are prizes to be won. Find more information at www.dentalhygienecanada.ca. 7
Protect your pearly whites: Use a sports mouthguard Research has shown that the overall risk of orofacial injury is reduced when a sports mouthguard is worn during athletic activity. If you play sports like hockey, soccer, or football, practise martial arts, or enjoy extreme sports like BMX, skateboarding, skiing or snowboarding, you should invest in one. Dental hygienists see first-hand the impact of injuries to the teeth, gums and jaws, and so recommend custom-fitted mouthguards as a cost-effective investment in protection. The average cost of a custom-fitted sports mouth guard is very low compared to the $5,000 to $10,000 lifetime cost of treating a lost front tooth. If your sports organization doesn t require mouthguard protection, you should ask why. 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 mouthguard when playing sports. Ask your dental hygienist about custom-fitting a sports mouthguard during your next visit. Find more information at www.dentalhygienecanada.ca/ mouthguards. 8
Early detection of oral cancer is key Most oral cavity cancers can be treated if discovered early. Dental hygienists provide oral cancer screenings at each appointment and will make referrals to specialists if they spot anything unusual. Between appointments, we all have a role to play by watching for any of the following changes in our mouths: 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 Tobacco use, alcohol consumption, sun exposure to the lips, and the human papillomavirus are all known risk factors for oral cavity cancers. By modifying our lifestyle, ensuring that our children receive the HPV vaccine, examining our mouths for suspicious changes, and scheduling regular dental hygiene visits, we can reduce our risk of illness. Easy-to-use tools and tips for a quick visual and tactile examination of the oral cavity are available at www.checkyourmouth.org. 9
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