Home » Oral Health Guide » Health & Well-Being » Canadian Dental Checkup: How do Your Teeth Compare?

Canadian Dental Checkup: How do Your Teeth Compare?

Here’s a reason to smile: According to the results of the Oral Health Component of the Canadian Health Measures Survey, released in 2010, Canadians aren’t doing too badly when it comes to the health of their teeth: Three out of four see a dental professional each year, and two out of three people with natural teeth don’t need dental treatment. But some stats are a little more disturbing.

By Jaclyn Law

How often should people see a dentist?

One in five adults with natural teeth have, or have had, a moderate or severe problem with their gums; more than half of kids and teens have cavities; and 17 percent of Canadians reported not visiting a dentist in the past year because of the cost.

We discussed the survey—and ways to improve oral health—with Dr. Chris Lee, director of the emergency recall clinic at Dalhousie University’s Dentistry Faculty Practice.

 

The frequency depends on how healthy your teeth and gums are. "If someone doesn’t get a lot of cavities or have a lot of gum disease, once a year is good. If someone has no teeth, they [should see a dentist] once a year, because dentists check for things like oral cancer," says Dr. Lee. "For people who have gum disease, as often as every three months."

Your dentist may recommend frequent visits if you’re prone to tooth decay or if you’re a smoker.

Tags: teeth | oral health guide | health | dental.

1 of 5 Next


Related Content

Published in : Health & Well-Being
No votes yet
  • slide0
  • slide1
  • slide2
  • slide3
  • slide4

Post a comment

  • Digg
  • Delicious
  • Heart
  • Mail
  • Print
Type the characters you see in this picture. (verify using audio)
Type the characters you see in the picture above; if you can't read them, submit the form and a new image will be generated. Not case sensitive.

Special Features

  • 6 Tips for Whiter Teeth

    Your 32 teeth not only help you to talk and chew, they can make or break your appearance. Read on to find out what you can do to keep your pearly whites sparkling.

    Published in : Health & Well-Being » Beauty

    0 comments

  • Everything You Need to Know About Dental Crowns

    Crowns are the multi-taskers of dental work—they do everything from protecting a banged-up tooth to enhancing your smile. We talked to Dr. Chris Lee, a dentist and director of the emergency recall clinic at Dalhousie University’s Dentistry Faculty Practice, to get the whole tooth…er, truth.

    Published in : Health & Well-Being

    0 comments

  • 3 Foods to Prevent Gum Disease

    Gum disease can eventually infect or even destroy your teeth and it can also boost your risk for heart disease by 15 per cent. Fortunately, there are plenty of nutrients you can turn to for prevention. Read on to find out which foods can help prevent gum disease.

    Published in : Food & Recipes » Healthy Food

    0 comments

  • 5 Things to Know About Teething

    When a baby cuts a new tooth, both baby and parents suffer. The baby-care section in your local drugstore offers over-the-counter products that can ease the pain, but be sure to consult with your paediatrician and follow label directions. There are also various home remedies you can opt for. But whatever you try, the main ingredient will be parental patience during those fussy weeks when the first teeth emerge.

    0 comments

  • 5 Ways to Eat Like a Dentist

    We talked to Dr. Euan Swan, manager of dental programs at the Canadian Dental Association in Ottawa, about eating strategies that dentists use to keep their teeth in tip-top shape.

    0 comments

Advertisement

Do you have 12 weeks to change your life?

With Our Partners

Reader's Digest Services

Stay in touch with Reader's Digest

Contests

View all contests

Advertisement