Oral health is a vital part of your overall health. When your mouth is healthy, you can eat, speak and smile in comfort and with confidence, helping you feel good physically, socially and emotionally. A healthy mouth helps you enjoy life.
The Canadian Dental Association supports the FDI World Dental Federation’s definition of oral health as a key component of general health and well-being. Learn more.
Maintaining good oral health takes more than brushing, flossing and visiting your dentist regularly. It means, understanding the health and lifestyle factors that can affect your oral and overall health.
Many oral health conditions are preventable and easier to treat when caught early. By following a solid oral hygiene routine and making healthy choices, you can reduce these health and lifestyle risk factors:
Aging
Diabetes
Medications (some cause dry mouth)
Stress and anxiety
Sleep apnea
Alcohol consumption
High sugar diet
Skipping Regular Dental Care
Cannabis use
While you can’t change your age, you can reduce or eliminate risk factors by making healthier lifestyle choices. Every positive step you take helps protect your healthy smile, disease prevention, and improves your overall health.
Oral health is connected to your overall well-being. Just like other diseases, oral diseases are easier to manage when caught early, and can stop any negative effects on the rest of your body.
When plaque builds up, gums can become inflamed and prone to bleeding. If left untreated, harmful oral bacteria can enter your bloodstream and increase your risk of other health problems.
Oral disease can affect every aspect of your life, including personal relationships and self-confidence. It can lead to pain, anxiety, disfigurement and acute/chronic infections. It can also disrupt your sleep and affect how or what you eat — all of which can impact your overall quality of life.
Taking care of your mouth supports your overall health and well-being.
A healthy smile that will last you a lifetime starts with a simple, consistent daily routine. Good oral hygiene helps prevent tooth decay and inflammation in your gums that can become serious. These steps can help keep your mouth and body healthy.
Brush
Brush your teeth for 2-3 minutes, twice a day
Use a manual or electric toothbrush to brush all surfaces of your teeth (inside, outside and chewing area)
Start gently underneath the gums and move up
Do not rinse immediately - just spit out excess toothpaste
Wait 30 minutes after eating before you brush to avoid damaging your enamel
Replace your toothbrush every 3 months
Floss
Floss at least once a day, or after meals/snacks
Flossing removes plaque and food your toothbrush can’t reach
Helps prevent gum disease and bad breath
Clean Your Tongue
Food residue can collect on your tongue
Use a tongue scraper or a good brush to help keep your breath fresh.
Use an Oral Rinse and Fluoride Toothpaste
Swish with an non-alcohol oral rinse (also known as mouthwash) once a day
Choose a toothpaste with fluoride to prevent tooth decay.
To find the right oral health products for your needs, consult the list of products that have earned the CDA Seal, this means a product’s claims have been independently reviewed and are supported by scientific evidence.
Drink Water
Choose water as your drink of choice over sugary drinks to prevent tooth decay.
Water keeps your mouth hydrated, and rinses away food debris
It also helps neutralize acid that damages enamel
Some medications may cause dry mouth, which allows bacteria to multiply faster. Ask your dentist about this.
Eat a Balanced Diet
Nutritious foods support healthy teeth and gums
Cut down on sugar and process foods
A poor diet can weaken your immune system and raise the risk of oral disease.
See these tips for healthy nutrition, reducing sugar in your diet, and making water your drink of choice, and check out this factsheet to learn more about why it’s important to follow a balanced, low-sugar diet.
Reduce Alcohol, Quit Smoking or Vaping
Daily use of alcohol, smoking and/or vaping over time can lead to dry mouth, inflammation, enamel damage, staining and put you at risk of oral cancer. Talk to your dentist about how these common lifestyle risk factors affect your oral and overall health and make a plan to quit.
One of the best ways to protect your mouth is by going to the dentist for regular check-ups and dental cleanings. Dentists and certified dental specialists are trained, skilled and regulated health professionals to care for your teeth, gums and mouth.
At each visit, Your Dentist can:
Examine your teeth, gums, and mouth for signs of disease or decay
Remove plaque and tartar buildup
Recommend a diet that supports good oral health, including limiting alcohol and avoiding tobacco
Teach you proper brushing and flossing techniques
Provide any preventive care and/or treatment
Set up a schedule for your next check up
Your dentist is the leader of your oral health team. Only dentists are qualified to fully assess your oral health and identify any problems that could affect your overall health.
Learn more about your dental health care team.
Helpful links
Canadian Dental Association
FDI Word Dental Federation
Government of Canada
National Cancer Institute (US)
