Good oral health helps to:
- Prevent teeth problems and cavities
- Prevent gum disease
- Helps people chew food easily
- Helps people speak clearly
Brushing and flossing twice a day promotes good oral health. Oral health is important at all stages of life—children, adults, and elders.
After a person eats, plaque forms on the teeth. Flossing and brushing help to remove plaque, otherwise it can stay there and gets hard. This increases the chance of getting cavities and gum infections, and eventually losing teeth. When plaque hardens it is called calculus. Only dental care professionals can remove calculus. That is why cleaning teeth to remove plaque is important.
Why is oral health important?
Poor oral health may lead to cavities, gum infections, or losing teeth. Poor oral health can affect:
- Ability to properly chew and digest food
- Growth and development
- The risk of having puffy and bleeding gums.
- General health. Cavities and gum disease may contribute to conditions such as diabetes and lung disease.
- Appearance and self-esteem
Daily Care
- Brush and floss teeth twice a day. Help children brush and floss twice a day until they can do it themselves.
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Cut back or avoid smoking. If you do smoke, get your mouth and gums checked regularly for disease.
Visit Nunavut Smiles for more information about taking care of your oral health!
Oral Health Checkups
Some communities—Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, Arviat, and Arctic Bay—have dental services available all year. Other communities have travelling dental clinics that visit several times a year.
Nunavummiut should regularly visit a dental clinic for a checkup. Ask at the health centre about dental services available in your community.
Go to Nunavut Smiles www.nunavutsmiles.ca for more information.
