Everyone notices a beautiful smile, but a mouthful of healthy looking teeth is about more than just appearances.

Oral health is important to your overall health.

Research shows there is a relationship between oral disease and other health issues. Poor oral health is associated with heart disease, diabetes, respiratory diseases and premature and low weight babies.

Untreated cavities can also be painful and lead to serious infections.

Prevention is the key. Brushing with toothpaste containing fluoride, using dental floss and visiting your dentist or dental hygienist regularly helps to keep teeth free from cavities and prevent gum disease.

Healthy habits also have an impact on our dental health. Eating nutritious food helps build strong teeth and gums that can resist disease and promote healing. Avoiding tobacco is important for oral health as smoking is a significant factor for oral and dental disease, including oral cancer.

Unfortunately, some people are more at risk of poor oral health than others because they don’t have easy access to oral health care. The most vulnerable groups are young children, working poor families and seniors.

Recent local statistics show that among those with a total household income of less than $30,000, only 53 per cent report visiting a dentist at least once per year and 36 per cent report seeing a dentist for emergencies only.

This was significantly lower than what was reported from those with total household income of more than $60,000, where 80 per cent said they visit the dentist at least once per year and only 12 per cent said they see a dentist for emergencies only.

Age is also a factor for those who need dental care. The same survey showed only 52 per cent of seniors over the age of 65 reported visiting a dentist at least once per year compared with 86 per cent of youth 12-19 years.

The good news is that steps are being taken to improve access to dental services for those who are vulnerable. Health Canada has created the office of chief dental officer. Oral health data is being collected on thousands of Canadians so that we will have a good sense of how well we are doing at the national level.

As well, the provincial government recently announced that it will invest $135 million over three years, starting in 2008–09, to improve and enhance the delivery of the Children in Need of Treatment (CINOT) program, which currently provides urgent dental care services.

In the meantime the health unit’s Oral Health team provides dental screening for children up to age 14 in Simcoe and Muskoka. Funding is available for low-income families for the treatment of urgent dental cavities and other serious problems through the CINOT program. There is a program for teens in high school in Simcoe County as well.

For more information about your oral health or the CINOT program, call Your Health Connection at 721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday or click the link. 

Dr. Gardner is Simcoe Muskoka’s medical officer of health.