Should The Poor Get Free Dental Care?

How are your teeth?

It’s not a question you’ll get asked a lot, except maybe by your dentist.

But for a growing number of Toronto residents on the low end of the income scale, it’s an answer that won’t make them smile.

Unless you’re covered by a dental plan at work or through your insurance, you know how incredibly expensive even just a check-up can be.

Now Dr. Hazel Stewart, the city’s chief dentist, is looking for $2 million from the Ontario government to ensure everyone can get the gentle dental care they need – even if their bank accounts don’t have much teeth.

Emily Fox belongs to that group. She’s been losing her teeth for a while but couldn’t afford to have any work done to stop it.

“It does affect your general sense of well-being and self esteem, employability and ability to eat,” she agrees. “I spent a winter on the streets. You just give up and if you can’t eat, can’t smile, it’s like one more thing.”

Emily finally landed a job with benefits and received new teeth. “I was able to get my first set of dentures,” she beams.

The province is considering the funding idea, especially since studies show your teeth can affect your overall health and even your longevity. The reason: a serious disease known as periodontitis that can infect your gums.

The bacteria from that infection can travel anywhere in your body, raising your risk of heart disease or even pneumonia in some people. 

Pregnant women with neglected mouths can experience low birth weight babies and leave themselves open to osteoporosis in the jaw – especially after menopause.

“People should come to the dentist twice a year to check for changes in their dental and general health,” advises Dr. Kenneth Montague.

Besides brushing after every meal and flossing every day, what can you do to reduce your risk? Here’s a look:

Smoking and Tobacco

It’s no secret it’s not good for any part of your body. And your teeth are no different. All those blackened gums on cigarette packages are a sure sign of that. And it turns out smoking is the worst thing of all you can do to your teeth.

Tobacco use has been shown to weaken your immune system and allows bacteria to grow. And don’t even think about what chewing tobacco can do.

Drug use

We’re not even talking about the illegal kind. Many prescription medications and over the counter concoctions – including cold and allergy remedies – cause your body to produce less saliva, drying out your mouth and preventing your body from conducting its own natural teeth cleaning.

In some cases that dried out state makes it harder to get rid of plaque, leading to more infection risk.

Your genes

There’s not much you can do if a history of bad teeth and gums run in your family. Extra attention to brushing, flossing and regular check-ups are your best bet for beating the hand you’ve been dealt.

Diabetes

It’s a dangerous disease for a large part of your body and your mouth isn’t exempt. It leaves you vulnerable to many infections – including gingivitis and periodontitis, which in turn can hurt your body’s ability to use insulin. And it raises your heart attack and stroke risk, too.

This is another one of those you may not be able to do much about. But if you have diabetes it’s more important than ever to look after your teeth.

Hormonal changes

Pregnant or menopausal women are more susceptible to teeth and gum disease.

Diet

There’s a reason sailors in the ancient days used to get scurvy. Make sure your diet contains lots of calcium and Vitamins B and C to keep your teeth strong.

Source:  Mayo Clinic