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Most of us realize that diet and exercise play an important part in keeping us healthy. But did you know that a healthy mouth is also an important part of a healthy body?

Poor oral health can affect a person's quality of life. Oral pain, missing teeth or oral infections can influence the way a person speaks, eats and socializes. These oral health problems can reduce a person's quality of life by affecting their physical, mental and social well-being.

Oral disease, like any other disease, needs to be treated. A chronic infection, including one in the mouth, is a serious problem that should not be ignored. Yet bleeding or tender gums are often overlooked.

Research has shown there is an association between oral disease and other health problems such as diabetes, heart disease and stroke, as well as pre-term and low-birth-weight babies. Although researchers are just beginning to understand this relationship, evidence shows that oral disease can aggravate other health problems and that keeping a healthy mouth is an important part of leading a healthy life.

As part of a healthy lifestyle and to help reduce the risk of oral disease, follow these 5 steps to good oral health.

1. See your dentist regularly

• Regular checkups and professional cleanings are the best way to prevent problems or to stop small problems from getting worse.

• Your dentist will look for signs or oral disease. Oral diseases often go unnoticed and may lead to or be a sign of serious health problems in other parts of the body.

• Only your dentist has the training, skill and expertise to diagnose and treat oral health diseases and to meet all your oral health care needs.

1. Practice good oral hygiene

• Using a soft-bristle toothbrush, brush your teeth and tongue at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to remove plaque and bacteria that cause cavities and periodontal disease (gum disease).

• Floss everyday. If you don't floss, you are missing more than a third of your tooth surface.

• When choosing oral care products, look for the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) Seal of Recognition.

1. Eat a well-balanced diet

• Healthy food is good for your general health and your oral health. The nutrients that come from healthy foods help you to fight cavities and gum disease.

• Avoid excess sugar. It is one of the main causes of dental problems.

1. Check your mouth regularly

• Look for warning signs of periodontal disease (gum disease) such as red, shiny, puffy, sore or sensitive gums; bleeding when you brush or floss; or bad breath that won't go away. Gum disease is one of the main reasons why adults lose their teeth.

• Look for warning signs of oral cancer. The 3 most common sites for oral cancer are the sides and bottom of your tongue and the floor of your mouth. The warning signs include bleeding that you can't explain, open sores that don't heal within 7 to 10 days, white or red patches, numbness or tingling, small lumps and thickening on the sides or bottom of your tongue, the floor or roof of your mouth, the inside of your cheeks or on your gums.

• Report any of these warning signs to your dentist.

   

1. Don't smoke or chew tobacco

• Smoking and chewing tobacco are dangerous to your oral health and your overall health.

• Tobacco use is a major cause of tooth loss through gum disease and may lead to serious problems like oral cancer.

• Tobacco can cause heart disease and a variety of cancers.

If you take care of your teeth and gums at home and visit your dentist regularly, your smile should last you a lifetime. Your and your dentist are partners in keeping your oral health good for life.

This content was inspired from publications produced by The Canadian Dental Association.