Understanding Oral Health

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Understanding Oral Health

For Seniors, Oral Care Is Vital.

So Why Aren't We Funding It? The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) is working to ensure that every senior in Canada has access to essential oral health care services.

Katherine Cappellacci

M

aintaining good oral health is directly connected to a person’s overa l l hea lt h a nd well-being, especially for people aged 65 and older. “That’s why the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) has been steadfastly advocating for improved oral health services in long-term care residences and for targeted oral care funding to support all vulnerable seniors,” says Wendy Stewart CDHA’s President. “The role teeth have in our lives cannot be understated. Without them, eating, speaking, and even socializing can be difficult if not impossible.”

The association is lobbying the federal government to provide necessary funding for a universal oral health care plan for vulnerable seniors. CDHA also recommends that national standards for long-term care (LTC) include oral health.

Treating her clients in their homes and LTC facilities, independent dental hygienist Carolyn Weiss sees the issues facing Canada’s seniors firsthand. “You’re in a setting where residents are reliant on others to take care of them,” she says. “When the lips are closed, the problem’s gone.”

A fresh perspective

and fluoride toothpaste, and cleaning in Travelling to them with her mobile between the teeth. For improved dexterequipment, Weiss is improving the way ity, a large-grip toothbrush and flossing her clients perceive and respond to picks or interproximal small brushes dental work. “There’s may be used. Gum care less fear and it’s not is also important, as as overwhelming an gum disease is linked to other health issues, experience,” explains Anne Clarke, whose such as heart disease brother is a client and diabetes.

The role teeth have of Weiss’. “I cannot Standards of care in our lives cannot be Oral health services express how much understated. Without in LTC residences it has improved his dental and overall them, eating, speaking, have been lacking for health.” and even socializing too long and our senWeiss agrees with iors are experiencing can be difficult if not unnecessary pain and CDHA that LTC staff impossible. should receive basic ill health as a result. oral health education The fact that many from dental hygienists so they can spot of them cannot pay for professional potential problems quickly. “Dental oral care out of pocket only exacerhygienists need to be a part of the bates the situation. “About 56 percent interdisciplinary LTC team, just like of Canadians aged 60 and over don’t physical therapists,” she says. have dental coverage,” says Stewart.

“I think it’s very important for senWithout a dental benefits plan, many iors to have oral hygiene care,” says seniors don’t have the resources to get 91-year-old Jean Sych, after a recent the care they require. “Seniors take at-home dental hygiene visit. “The govtheir oral health seriously. It’s time for ernment should fund seniors to get this the rest of us to do so as well,” notes service in long-term and home care.”

Stewart.

Oral hygiene recommendations for seniors include using a soft toothbrush

Visit cdha.ca/ oralhealthforseniors to learn more.

This article was sponsored by CDHA.

Publisher: Rachel Nashman Business Development Manager: Chelsea Siemon Country Manager: Nina Theodorlis Content & Production Manager: Raymond Fan Designer: Lauren Livingston Content & Web Editor: Karthik Talwar All images are from Getty Images unless otherwise credited. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve the Toronto Star or its editorial departments.

Send all inquiries to ca.editorial@mediaplanet.com.

Seniors

@MediaplanetCA

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Deserve Better Oral Care

Better access to dental hygiene care is critical to our seniors’ oral and overall health.

dentalhygienecanada.ca/seniors | #oralhealthforseniors

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF ORAL B.

How An Oral Hygiene Routine Can Help Your Overall Health According to oral health professionals, there's a significant link between a healthy mouth and a healthy body.

Melissa Vekil

C Dr. Zeina Naous Canadian Dentist

anadian dentist, Dr. Zeina Naous says, "poor oral hygiene can exacerbate medical conditions such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, and premature birth."

Lack of proper oral hygiene can cause serious dental problems, such as cavities, gingivitis, and even periodontal disease (or gum disease) — a serious infection of the gums that damages the surrounding tissue and can lead to bone loss. Gum disease is the most common dental problem in Canadians, with seven out of ten people affected to some degree in their lives. It’s largely preventable by maintaining good oral hygiene and getting regular dental check-ups, however.

in carbohydrates, such as milk, juice, bread, fruit, or candy, are frequently left on the teeth,” says Dr. Naous. “Over a period of time, the bacteria in the mouth feed on these sugars and release acids, which destroy tooth enamel and result in tooth decay.”

Oral B Water Flosser is especially necessary if you have sensitive gums, braces, bridges or crowns, or if you have a medical case like arthritis, where using string floss is not comfortable.

Advice on healthier gums

Avoiding gum disease can be challenging Plaque build-up is the main culprit in gum disease. Plaque is the sticky, colourless film of bacteria that forms on top of your teeth. It makes teeth feel fuzzy, and is most noticeable when teeth aren’t brushed or right after a meal.

“Plaque develops when foods rich

For healthier gums, Dr. Naous recommends a complete daily routine, which includes using an electric toothbrush on your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day, flossing your teeth at least once a day, and using an antibacterial mouth rinse.

“Plaque between your teeth is difficult to remove with just brushing, which is why flossing every day is also incredibly important to decrease the chance of getting cavities,” says Dr. Naous.

Alongside traditional flossing, Dr. Naous also recommends water flossers, which are proven to be a great aid in removing plaque between teeth.

“The Oral B Water Flosser is especially necessary if you have sensitive

gums, braces, bridges, or crowns, or if you have a medical case like arthritis that makes using string floss uncomfortable,” explains Dr. Naous.

Research has also shown that when water flossers are used together with electric toothbrushes, there’s a significant reduction in plaque and gingivitis.

That’s why Oral B, known for its top-ofthe-line electric brushes, has released the new Water Flosser Advanced, which removes up to 99.9 percent of plaque bacteria by deep cleaning and detoxifying below the gumline.

The Oral B Water Flosser Advanced with Oxyjet Technology uses water enriched with microbubbles of air to help eliminate plaque bacteria. It features customizable streams and three unique modes: intense, medium, or sensitive so you can pick the water pressure that’s best for you.

Lastly, in addition to maintaining a daily routine, Dr. Naous recommends scheduling regular dental check-ups and professional cleaning and seeking dental care when needed to maintain optimal oral health.

Visit oralb.com for more information on preventing plaque build-up and gentler flossing alternatives like the Oral-B Water Flosser Advanced.

This article was sponsored by Oral B.

Debunking Dental Myths

Canadians have a lot of misconceptions about proper dental care, and it’s important to set the record straight.

1: Can flossing cause gaps between teeth?

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Contrary to common belief, flossing does not widen the gaps between your teeth. The observed widening is due to the removal of tartar and not an actual change in the size of the gaps.

Improper flossing, like cutting through gum tissue, forcing floss between your teeth, or rubbing the string too forcefully on the tooth surface, can cause the gums to recede and create or widen gaps. It’s recommended to follow your hygienist’s or dentist’s advice for proper flossing technique.

2: Should you brush your teeth immediately after every meal?

We were all taught to brush our teeth right after we eat, when in fact teeth are at their most vulnerable state after a meal or snack. The acidity in your mouth is at its highest right after eating or drinking and brushing immediately after can spread these acids, causing the protective enamel layer of teeth to erode and eventually weakening your teeth.

It’s suggested that you rinse with water after eating, and wait 30 to 60 minutes before brushing. Ideally, you should be brushing at least twice a day — once in the morning and once right before going to bed.

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4: Should you brush harder to clean your teeth better?

I see this too often, when people try to use a hard-bristled toothbrush or use more force while brushing to get cleaner or whiter teeth. Brushing too hard can wear down the enamel, which is the outer layer of teeth that protects them from decay.

Losing the enamel layer can lead to abrasion, making your teeth weaker and more sensitive. Gums can also recede from forceful brushing that exposes the root, leading to sensitivity, aesthetic problems, and root decay.

This is why using a soft-bristled toothbrush alongside flossing gently without applying too much force is recommended.

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5: Do you have to take care of primary teeth since they fall out?

People mistakenly believe that baby teeth are less important because they eventually fall out. However, these temporary teeth play an important role that can affect oral health as we age.

Baby teeth help with chewing, nutrition, and speech development, and also reserve a space for the anticipated permanent teeth replacing them. Since baby teeth are smaller, they’re more vulnerable to cavities and if left untreated, can lead to infection and potential damage to the underlying tooth. Losing baby teeth at a premature stage can lead to the improper eruption of the permanent teeth due to the loss of the dedicated growth space.

It’s important to encourage proper daily oral hygiene habits at a young age to carry on and maintain through to adulthood.

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3: Should wisdom teeth always be removed?

Dr. Zeina Naous Canadian Dentist & Social Media Influencer

disease, and extensive tooth decay.

The decision to remove wisdom teeth is not always clear, which is why you should talk to your dentist to see what's best for your situation.

Wisdom teeth may not need to be removed all the time, such as in cases when they’re healthy and appropriately erupted and positioned. Also, healthy wisdom teeth should bite properly against their opposing teeth and be easily accessed to be a part of your daily hygiene practices. However, problems can arise from wisdom teeth that don’t have room to grow properly and that are causing problems such as pain, repeated infection of soft tissue, cysts, tumours, damage to nearby teeth, gum

Follow @zeina_dentist on TikTok and Instagram to learn more about dental facts.

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Meet Your Registered Dental Technologist, the Health Care Professional Dedicated to Your Beautiful Smile Devoted to oral health and giving you peace of mind, Ontario’s registered dental technologists stand behind every dental device they create.

Michele Sponagle

D

id you know that your dentist relies on the technical and creative mastery of a registered dental technologist (RDT) to improve and maintain your beautiful smile? When you or your family members need a dental device, such as a crown or denture, your dentist collaborates with an RDT to design and create it. An RDT’s expertise is vital in ensuring that the device meets your unique needs.

RDTs are distinguished by strict qualifications, experience, and licensing requirements and are regulated by a regulatory body in Ontario. They also have an association that advances and encourages excellence in dental technology. Woven together, they represent a dedicated group focused on a patient’s oral health, which is one of the cornerstones of overall health.

rapidly-advancing science and are at the forefront of new dental technology.

This ensures that the safest materials are used and the device has improved quality, which benefits the patient.

Be informed, be part of the decision, and know your rights

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You’re your own best advocate when it comes to your oral health. Dental devices not only provide confidence, they also provide life functions as critical as eating. Some dental devices, such as crowns, remain in your mouth for years and even decades. Proper choice of materials ensures that toxins won’t leach into your body. Nearby teeth can also be damaged when a crown is poorly designed.

As a patient, you have a number of important rights when it comes to your dental device. You have the right to ask questions about your treatment plan.

You have the right to expect that your The true value of an RDT: professionalism and high dental device will be safe and made standards of the right materials. You have the Dentists seek out licensed dental right to request that an RDT be tech nolog ist s b ecau se involved in your care and they’ve worked hard you have the right to ame, RDT R to obtain the RDT verify it.

N l The RDT Stamp designation and the right to apply the is a distinguishing RDT Stamp. These mark of the profesconvey an RDT’s sion. It signifies commitment to commitment to delivering professtandards of care sionalism and high and excellence. The E 2 xp 0 standards. RDTs are Stamp is impressed 2 ir e s N o v. 1, a great asset to dentists on any document that in planning out cases to authorizes the release of a create an optimal treatment plan case, such as laboratory invoices. for the patient. They provide the denYou have the right to ask your dentist tist with technical solutions, material for a copy to verify if it has an RDT choices, and timelines that prioritize Stamp impressed on it. You have the the unique needs of the patient. right to expect peace of mind that an Creating the final dental device is RDT is responsible and accountable. in the trusted hands of the RDT. The device must imitate or improve the True professionals held beauty and function of the patient’s accountable natural dentition, and be in harmony Regulation is one of the main reasons that dentists and patients seek RDTs. with the rest of the system. To achieve this, RDTs use their creative mastery It means that an RDT has met strict and deep foundational knowledge of qualifications and will always be up oral structures. They stay current with to date with the practice environ-

ment. RDTs are regulated by the College of Dental Technologists of Ontario (CDTO), whose mandate is to act in the public interest by putting patients first.

Regulation provides assurance to the public that they’re dealing with true professionals who can be held accountable for their actions. A complaint can be filed with the CDTO if anyone feels that their RDT has not met the standard of care. The CDTO will investigate the matter in a transparent and timely manner, and take appropriate action.

Patients and dentists can access a searchable Public Register to verify that an RDT is registered and able to practice and supervise. Details such as the RDT’s name, registration number, place of practice, and current status are displayed. Learn more about the CDTO by visiting cdto.ca.

RDTs are supported by the Association of Dental Technologists of Ontario (ADTO), whose mission is to advance the profession on behalf of its members.

It provides members with professional development opportunities to improve the care that patients receive. The ADTO also provides professional liability insurance, which compensates patients who have been harmed by malpractice or negligence by a professional.

Remember its your mouth and your smile!

As regulated oral health professionals, RDTs act professionally and put a patient’s health and safety first. For patients, the RDT’s designation and Stamp are assurance that you can trust the quality of the device needed to improve and maintain a healthy smile.

For dentists, the RDT is a trusted oral health partner.

It’s your right to be informed about who will make your dental device, from mouthguards to bridges. It’s your right to demand that an RDT be involved in the design and creation. This starts with a conversation with your dentist. Make it clear that you want an RDT working on your dental devices.

Visit adto.ca and cdto.ca to learn more about how an engaged profession means commitment to quality care.

Sponsored by

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Untreated Oral Disease Is Bad for Your Health Gerald J. Botko

D Gerald J. Botko DMD, MAGD, FACD

President, Academy of General Dentistry

id you know that oral health research coninflamed. In an AGD Impact article, COVID-19 and the tributes to many of today’s advancements in Oral-Systemic Link, Dr. Richard H. Nagelberg, DDS, general medicine and disease management? In the dentist and member of the General Dentistry Advisory early 2000s, some research indicated that the Board, states that research on whether oral bacteria lead gingival epithelium ulceration was the portal of bacterial to heart disease is somewhat mixed. and toxin entry into the vasculature, the Poor mouth care affects the digestive mechanism of the mouth-body connection. process, which begins with physical and Research has proven that the mouth is the chemical activities in the mouth. Patients who have not maintained good oral health gateway to the rest of the body. Through the mouth, bacteria can enter the body and go also have increased risks for type 2 diabetes, to the bloodstream, causing inflammation diabesity, other cancers, Alzheimer’s and autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. and infection. Poor oral hygiene and poor Patients who have dentition and gums have been implicated In an article published in the AGD’s not maintained as a contributing factor or cause for exacerpeer-reviewed journal, General Dentistry, good oral health also The effects of oral health on systemic health, bation of many chronic diseases, including dementia, cardiac problems, diabetes, and have increased risks Shawn F. Kane, MD, FAAFP, FACSM, shares kidney problems. The Academy of General that the level of oral hygiene significantly for type 2 diabetes, Dentistry (AGD) and its 40,000 members impacts the makeup of the oral microbidiabesity, other are working diligently to ensure that dental ome. Individuals with good oral hygiene cancers, Alzheimer’s tend to have a simple flora dominated by patients understand the impact of poor and untreated oral health conditions on and autoimmune and positive bacteria. the overall body.

Patients should see their dentists inflammatory According to the World Health Organregularly to be screened for some of the diseases. ization, 3.5 billion people worldwide suffer top conditions associated with poor oral from dental cavities. General dentists work health, like oral cancer, cardiovascular to help patients understand how cavities lead to infections. disease, and diabetes. General dentists work to educate More studies are becoming available suggesting how infecpatients about the medical risks associated with having tions in the mouth can affect major organs. For example, poor oral health to catch these conditions earlier. More oral bacteria can travel through the bloodstream to the than 90 percent of all diseases have oral manifestations, meaning your general dentist may be the first health care heart, where it can cause bacterial endocarditis, a condition provider to recognize and diagnose a health problem. in which the lining of the heart and heart valves become

April is Oral Health Month Oral health is a key indicator of overall health.

Visit your denturist regularly to maintain optimum oral health.

The Denturist Association of Canada

www.denturist.org

Talk to your general dentist to learn more about what they can do to improve your oral and overall health, or find a general dentist at agd.org/findan-agd-dentist.

One Toronto Dentist Has Evolved in the COVID-19 Era From installing new safety protocols to collaborating with a local college, one Toronto dentist is evolving with the times.

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hile other dentists have closed locations and scaled back operations during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Natalie Archer has expanded all three of her Toronto area dental clinics and has added value by installing advanced air filtration machines and new safety protocols. An online chatbot conducts COVID-19 screenings and follows-up with patients after their appointments. At Archer Dental, frontline staff work offsite to coordinate visits for improved social distancing.

Despite the numerous disadvantages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Archer has found ways to adapt and succeed. Each operatory in every Archer Dental office across Toronto has Virus Killer air filtration devices equipped with HEPA filters, a medical grade solution.

These machines complement existing high-powered HVAC systems which have been upgraded since the outbreak.

Her Rosedale clinic was recently renovated top-to-bottom and now features ‘dental pods’, another innovation. Four brand new glass enclosed exam rooms provide patients with expedient and exclusive dental treatments in which the chance of infection is even smaller than the virus!

Natalie Archer's experience as a pandemic dentist has even garnered the attention of some of Canada's foremost architects and engineers. George Brown College is getting an upgrade to its WAVE health facility which contains a dental school. The changes are expected to make the infrastructure more resilient to epidemiological threats.

Dr Natalie Archer, having just upgraded all her clinics, was asked to visit, and consult as a subject matter expert, and from August to November 2021 she worked with architects at Diamond Schmitt and builders at Walsh Canada to help layout a new world class educational facility that will more effectively train the dental students of the future.

Dr. Natalie Archer Canadian Dentist & CEO, Archer Dental

Visit archerdental.ca to book an appointment with Dr. Archer.