Healthy mouths, healthier bodies - is there a link?

(NC)—Do your body a favour. Go to the dentist. Research shows there may be a link between oral disease and other health problems such as diabetes, heart disease and stroke, as well as premature and low-birth-weight babies.

Although scientists are only just beginning to understand this link, dentists are encouraging people to make oral health care a regular part of a healthy lifestyle. To help people learn more about preventing oral disease, the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) is urging Canadians to talk to their dentist during National Oral Health Month.

Here are a few specific oral health care tips from the CDA you can practice before your next visit to the dentist.

• Practice good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss once a day to remove plaque and bacteria that can cause cavities and gum disease.
• Eat a well-balanced diet and avoid sugar. Healthy foods are good for your general and oral health. Nutrients from healthy foods help fight cavities and gum disease.
• Check your gums regularly. Look for warning signs of gum disease such as red, shiny, puffy, sore or sensitive gums and report them to your dentist.
• Don't smoke. Smoking is a major cause of tooth loss through gum disease and may cause oral cancer.

There is more information about the benefits of oral health on the CDA Web site at www.cda-adc.ca.

- News Canada