Smile, it's oral health month
| Health and Fitness |
What's more important – a good-looking body or having a healthy-looking smile? According to the recent Crest and Oral-B Great Canadian Smile Survey, teeth win over toned abs. Two in three Canadians say a healthy smile is an important health factor (62 per cent), ranking ahead of physical fitness and body appearance (57 per cent).
While a healthy-looking smile ranks as a health priority, Canadians also admit to having poor oral hygiene habits – only four per cent follow the dentist-recommended oral care regimen of brushing, flossing and rinsing. The fact is, by not making time to take proper care of their smiles, Canadians are putting themselves at a greater risk for gingivitis, the earliest form of gum disease.
April is National Oral Health month, and Crest and Oral-B are reminding Canadians to take proper care of their smiles by following a complete at-home routine that includes brushing, flossing and rinsing, and making at least one trip to the dentist each year.
Unfortunately making that trip to the dentist isn't a reality for everyone. The survey revealed that 26 per cent of Canadians visit the dentist less often than once a year, with 42 per cent of them saying they can't afford it, and 29 per cent specifically citing a lack of dental insurance as the reasons they don't go. To help Canadians in need, Crest and Oral-B have donated $50,000 to provincial programs that provide access to basic dental care through its partnership with the Dentistry Canada Fund, the official charity of the Canadian Dental Association.
“It's very important to follow an at-home oral care regimen especially if you have longer periods between dental visits” says Dr. Maryam Adibfar, consulting dentist to Crest and Oral-B. “Look for products that suit your individual needs. For example, if you're not brushing for the dentist-recommended two-minutes, look for a power toothbrush with a built in timer.”
Make April your month to commit to the dentist-recommended at-home routine of brushing, flossing and rinsing. Taking proper care of teeth and gums is the best way to achieve and maintain the coveted healthy-looking smile.
More information can be found online at www.prohealthcanada.com and www.oralb.ca and www.dcf-fdc.ca. www.newscanada.com
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