UNDER PRESSURE: HOW STRESS CAN AFFECT YOUR ORAL HEALTH

Maintaining good oral-health habits can help you weather the holiday storm

MEDIA RELEASE
December 15, 2011

The holidays are a time for joy and celebration. For some people, however, the season can also be especially stressful. From buying the perfect gifts to hosting the family get-together, stress during this time can have real consequences for our oral health as well as overall well-being.

"People may overlook the effect stress has on our oral health," says Dr. Harry Höediono, President of the Ontario Dental Association. "However, our mouths can be just as affected by stress as the rest of our bodies are."

Stress can make people neglect their oral-health routines. They may not brush or floss as often as they should or miss dental appointments. People under stress sometimes make poor lifestyle choices – smoking, consuming too much alcohol and eating more sugary foods – which can lead to serious issues including oral cancer, gum disease or tooth decay.

MAKE HALLOWEEN LESS SCARY FOR YOUR CHILDREN’S ORAL HEALTH

Learn all the tricks to help kids say "Boo!" to tooth decay

MEDIA RELEASE
October 26, 2011

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TORONTO, Oct. 26 – Halloween is one of the most enjoyable days for children; however, all the candy they're exposed to from trick-or-treating can be a nightmare for their oral health.

Eating too much candy greatly increases the risk of tooth decay – bacteria that feed on sugar from candy produce acid which can damage teeth and lead to cavities. In Ontario, tooth decay is the second most common cause of school absenteeism. But the Ontario Dental Association (ODA) has some tips to help parents protect their children's oral health without taking away their enjoyment of Halloween.

"Children should have as much fun as possible on Halloween, including eating the candy they get from trick-or-treating," says Dr. Harry Höediono, ODA President. "The trick for parents is to moderate the intake of sweets and make sure kids stick to their brushing and flossing routine."

When your ghosts and goblins return from trick-or-treating, here are some tips to ensure a healthier Halloween.

GIVE THANKS FOR GOOD FOOD – AND GOOD ORAL HEALTH

The Ontario Dental Association offers tips on a delicious – and nutritious – Thanksgiving Day meal

MEDIA RELEASE
October 6, 2011

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Toronto, ON – Planning and preparing for Thanksgiving Day can be hectic, and figuring out what food to serve can be just as taxing. With more people adopting alternative diets, it can be difficult to please everybody's palates. While we can't do anything about the stress that family get-togethers may cause, the Ontario Dental Association (ODA) has some tips to make planning your menu a little easier – and your mouth a lot healthier.

"Just like our bodies, our teeth and gums need a wide range of essential vitamins and minerals to stay strong and healthy," says Dr. Harry Höediono, ODA President. "A balanced and diverse menu provides many nutrients to strengthen your teeth and gums, making them less susceptible to disease, including tooth decay."

When planning your holiday menu, include foods that are nutritious and beneficial – not only for your overall health but for your oral health. Essential vitamins and minerals necessary for optimal oral health include calcium, phosphorous, magnesium and vitamins A, C and D. Here are a few ideas:

Brush Up On Brushing Your Teeth

Back-to-school time is the perfect time to learn the ABCs of brushing

MEDIA RELEASE
September 7, 2011

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Toronto, ON – For kids, brushing their teeth isn't always top of mind, and getting them to brush properly can be a real challenge for parents. But getting back into daily school routines is a great time to make sure kids are brushing often – and properly.

"Tooth decay is one of the leading causes of absences from school, and can greatly affect a child's academic performance," says Dr. Harry Höediono, President of the Ontario Dental Association. "With proper brushing, twice a day, every parent can help ensure their children have the best possible oral health as they start a new school year."

Brushing your teeth properly at least twice a day helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Let your child watch you brush your teeth as often as possible. Children are wonderful imitators, and there's nothing like a parent's example to teach them the way to healthy dental practices.

You can also make brushing fun and easy by learning the ABCs of proper brushing.

Don't Take a Holiday From Your Oral Health

The Ontario Dental Association urges you to keep up with good oral health habits during summer holidays

MEDIA RELEASE
July 4, 2011

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Toronto, ON — For many people, summer means weekends by the lake, delicious barbeques and enjoying the warm sunshine. Whether you're preparing for a vacation at home or a getaway at the cottage, it's important to keep your oral health top of mind. Your mouth is the window to your body's overall health, so remember to maintain good oral health-care routines at all times, all year.

"Poor oral health not only affects your appearance but is associated with serious conditions, such as diabetes and respiratory diseases," says Dr. Harry Höediono, President of the Ontario Dental Association. "Getting your oral-health routine in order for summer is an important way to help ensure optimum overall health."

Here are some tips to help you enjoy the summer with a healthy smile.

New President for the Ontario Dental Association

Dr. Harry Höediono of Kitchener, Ont., will serve for 2011/2012

MEDIA RELEASE

JUNE 7, 2011

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Toronto, ON – Dr. Harry Höediono has been elected President of the Ontario Dental Association (ODA), the professional association that represents more than 8,000 dentists in Ontario.

"I feel privileged to serve our members, and all Ontarians, as President of the ODA," says Dr. Höediono. "My first priority is to ensure everyone in the province knows and understands the benefits of good oral health.

"Good oral health is the result of comprehensive care that can only be provided by a dentist-led health-care team. Ontario has some of the finest and best-trained dentists in the world."

The ODA Applauds Decision To Keep Fluoride in Toronto's Drinking Water

Toronto Board of Health accepts the recommendation of Toronto's Medical Officer of Health, experts

MEDIA RELEASE
April 6, 2011

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Toronto, ON – The Ontario Dental Association (ODA) is praising the Toronto Board of Health for its vote on April 4, 2011 to keep fluoride in the city’s drinking water and for following the recommendation of its Medical Officer of Health, Dr. David McKeown.

“Water fluoridation is a safe and effective way to prevent tooth decay – it’s just that simple,” said Toronto-based ODA President, Dr. Lynn Tomkins. “I’m glad that the board based their decision on sound science and research that support water fluoridation – this is great news for the health of all Torontonians.”

Dr. Tomkins was one of many medical and dental experts who addressed the board at the April 4 meeting. Presentations were also given by the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario, the University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry Department of Paediatric Dentistry, the Ontario Dental Hygienists’ Association and the Ontario Association of Public Health Dentistry.

Backgrounder - Oral Cancer

April 5, 2011
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Most oral cancers are located on the sides of the tongue, floor of the mouth and lips. Oral cancer starts in the cells of the mouth. Normally these cells are quite resistant to damage, but repeated injury from smoking, alcohol or even friction may cause sores or painful areas where cancer can start.

What is oral cancer?

Oral cancer refers to all cancers of the oral cavity, which includes the following:

lips;
tongue;
teeth;
gums (gingiva);
lining inside the lips and cheeks (labial mucosa and buccal mucosa);
floor of the mouth;
roof of the mouth (palate); and
the area behind the wisdom teeth.

Your Dentist Sees Things You Can't - Including Oral Cancer

The Ontario Dental Association urges all Ontarians to book an exam today

MEDIA RELEASE
April 5, 2011

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Toronto, ON – According to the Canadian Cancer Society, there were 1,150 estimated oral cancer deaths in Canada in 2010. This year, an estimated 3,400 new cases of oral cancer will be diagnosed. Early detection is the best way to increase survival chances with this serious and often aggressive disease. Your dentist plays an important role in the early detection and diagnosis of oral cancer through a regular dental exam.

“As oral health experts, dentists are in a unique position to help in the early diagnosis of many medical conditions, including oral cancer,” says Dr. Lynn Tomkins, President of Ontario Dental Association. “Most people see their dentist regularly, so your dentist is often the first health-care professional to have an opportunity to detect the early signs of oral cancer.”

It is critical that oral cancer be diagnosed in its earliest possible stages to increase a patient’s chances of a full recovery. But signs of oral cancer can be easy to miss unless you know what you are looking for.

ODA Urges Ontarians to Plan for a Safe Family Day

The Ontario Dental Association offers tips on how to handle a winter-related dental emergency

MEDIA RELEASE
February 15, 2011

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Toronto, ON – Family Day is a chance for parents and kids to enjoy the last few weeks of snowfall, which means tobogganing, skating and snowball fights. But any winter activity comes with a risk of injury to the teeth and mouth. The Ontario Dental Association (ODA) wants to remind parents to take extra precautions during this holiday and learn what to do in case of a dental injury.

“Don’t assume that non-contact sports or activities can't cause mouth injuries -- an icy snowball can cause a lot of damage to teeth,” says Dr. Lynn Tomkins, ODA President. “If your child is involved in sports or other physical activities, be prepared to deal with injuries from any outdoor winter activity.”