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 of 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.
  

2. Practise 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 every day. 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.

3. 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.

4. Check your mouth regularly

• Look for warning signs of periodontal disease (gum disease). Gum disease is one of the main reasons why adults lose their teeth. The warning signs include: 
  • Red, shiny, puffy, sore or sensitive gums
    Bleeding when you brush or floss
  • Bad breath that won't go away.
• 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.
  
• Ask your office if they provide early cancer screening technology, such as Velsope or ViziLite. Our office recommends either system to be used once per year and we can provide it during your regular check-up!

5. 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.