April is National Oral Health Month

You may have seen mentions of #OralHealthMonth on social media…but it is important to really take a few minutes to recognize how an unhealthy mouth can affect your whole body. There really is no sugar-coating the serious problems that you may be confronted with if you do not focus on proper oral care.

Did You Know that Bleeding Gums Can Lead to Heart Attack & Stroke?

The majority of people have likely experienced bleeding or tender gums at some point in their life. Yet, it is often overlooked because people don’t think of it as a “serious” issue, as compared to if you had internal bleeding.

Fact is, this harmful bacteria can make it’s way into your bloodstream. If the bacteria bonds to platelets in your blood, blood clots can form. This has the potential to lead to heart attacks and strokes. No one is invincible. It CAN happen to you!

Furthermore, this can also lead to disorders of the digestive or respiratory systems, an increased risk of cancer of the pancreas, and the development of diabetes.

Have You Heard of Oral Cancer?

Did you know that every year approximately 3,200 Canadians are diagnosed with oral cancer? Even more frightening is that approximately 1,050 deaths are the result of it. (Source: Canadian Dental Association) Your dentist has the training and experience to detect oral cancer early. Would you rather just avoid going to the dentist and not know – or would you rather be proactive and protect your life?

A Happy Mouth is Critical for a Happy Life

Poor oral health can most definitely affect a person’s quality of life. If you have oral pain, an infection, or even missing teeth, it will affect how you speak and eat. It can also affect your confidence and the way you socialize. You don’t want to be self-conscious when it comes to smiling or scare people off with halitosis, do you?

It can’t be emphasized enough how important it is to schedule regular dental cleanings and checkups. It really only takes a short amount of time out of your day every 6 months…and can potentially save your life!

So, what are you waiting for? Call Healthy Smiles Family Dentistry TODAY and book that appointment! We also have some Saturday appointments available if you are unable to make it during the week. Just ask our receptionist when you call.