EDMONTON — Alberta's dentists have a straightforward message for residents this Oral Health Month: stop chasing the latest wellness fads and get back to what actually works.
The Alberta Dental Association is urging Albertans to recommit to four evidence-based fundamentals — brushing twice daily, flossing, eating a balanced diet, and visiting a dentist regularly. Dental professionals across the province say these habits, as unglamorous as they may seem in an age of viral health trends and social media quick fixes, remain the most effective tools for protecting both oral and overall health at every stage of life.
"Oral health doesn't have to be complicated," said Dr. Carol Martin, a Grande Prairie dentist and President of the Alberta Dental Association. "While trends and quick fixes continue to circulate online, evidence-based care remains the best approach to protecting long-term health — and your dentist and the whole oral health care team are there to help."
The HPV Connection Most Albertans Don't Know About
Beyond cavities and gum disease, dental visits serve a purpose many patients may not fully appreciate: oral cancer screening. Human papillomavirus, commonly known as HPV, is a well-established risk factor for oral cancer — yet a recent survey of 1,003 Albertans found that fewer than four in ten residents are aware of that link.
Dentists are encouraging patients to ask about oral cancer screening during their next appointment and to have an open conversation with their dental team about HPV risks and prevention strategies. Early detection, dental professionals stress, can be life-saving.
Simple Habits, Serious Impact
Alberta's dental teams emphasize that oral health is not an isolated concern — research continues to reinforce the connections between gum disease, inflammation, and systemic conditions including heart disease and diabetes. What happens in the mouth, they say, does not stay in the mouth.
With Oral Health Month serving as an annual reminder, dentists hope Albertans will resist the noise of competing online health advice and instead trust the fundamentals that have proven their worth over decades of research and clinical practice. Schedule the appointment. Pick up the floss. The basics, they insist, work.
Source: Financial Post / GlobeNewswire. Original reporting by Jennifer Blackwood.