National Oral Health Month – April 2019

April is Oral Health Month in Canada - an opportunity to emphasize the importance of maintaining good oral health as part of a healthy lifestyle. The theme this year is Oral Health for Total Health.

Oral health is just as important as healthy eating, being active, and not using tobacco when it comes to preventing chronic diseases. Having poor oral health may contribute to serious health issues such as diabetes, respiratory, cardiovascular and brain diseases, and cancer.

While many oral diseases are preventable, they are still common and widespread across Canada. Daily brushing, flossing, drinking fluoridated water and seeing an oral health professional regularly helps us keep our teeth and mouth healthy. Canadians can also improve their oral health by avoiding tobacco, cannabis, e-cigarettes, alcohol, sugary beverages and foods.

It is important to understand that there are many factors that make it difficult for some Canadians to make these healthy choices. Removing barriers to achieving optimal oral health is important, particularly for our most vulnerable populations. To address health inequalities, the Government of Canada continues to explore how we can strengthen policies, programs, clinical practice, and research on oral health with governments and partners.

Everyone in Canada deserves the opportunity to achieve and maintain good health, and by increasing access to, and knowledge about healthy foods, oral health care and oral hygiene, we hope to increase Canadian's oral health and total health.

Maintaining good oral health would not be possible without the help of dedicated professionals, so I would also like to take the opportunity to highlight National Dental Hygienists Week, April 6 to 12, and to thank all oral health professionals across the country for the service they provide to Canadians.

This month I encourage you to learn more about oral health, including on how to maintain good oral hygiene and prevent disease.

The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Health