March 31, 2025

For Oral Health Month, Alberta’s dentists want you to know that small habits can make a big difference when it comes to your oral health

Oral health may not be child’s play, but the lessons you learned as a kid can still make a big difference.

Each April, the Alberta Dental Association celebrates National Oral Health Month, Canada’s largest oral health campaign to raise awareness, improve access to oral health care, and build a healthier, brighter future for all Canadians.

For 2025, Alberta’s dentists are reminding families that small habits can make a big difference when it comes to your oral health.

“The basics we learned as kids, like brushing twice a day, flossing, eating a balanced diet, drinking water, and visiting your dentist regularly are still some of the best ways to maintain a healthy mouth,” says Dr. Hans Herchen, President of the Alberta Dental Association. “It’s been a long time since most of us had a lesson on oral health, but getting back to those simple habits is a great place to start.”

To encourage oral health learning in a fun way, the Alberta Dental Association is hosting a colouring contest for children aged 3 to 12.

“We know that good oral health habits start young,” says Dr. Herchen. “Colouring together will be an opportunity for families to have a conversation about brushing, flossing, and making healthy choices.”

Avoid the Fads — Trust the Pros

Social media is full of dental hacks and quick-fix trends like unsafe whitening methods that promise dazzling results but can lead to long-term damage and even health consequences.

“Your dentist is your best source for oral health advice,” says Dr. Herchen. “Skip the trends and trusting the evidence-based care from a dental professional is the best way to protect your smile.”

Albertans looking for a dentist can visit albertadentalassociation.ca/dentist to find a trusted dental care team close to home.

Oral Health is Health

“Oral health isn’t just about fresh breath and whiter teeth—it affects our whole body,” says Dr. Herchen. “When we brush, floss, eat well, and visit our dentist regularly, we take simple but powerful steps toward a happier mouth and healthier life.”

For oral health tips, information about programs, or to participate in the colouring contest, visit albertadentalassociation.ca/happymouth

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The Alberta Dental Association (ADA) is the collective voice of dentists in Alberta. The ADA strengthens and supports the dental profession and promotes oral health as an integral part of general health for all Albertans.

Media Inquires
Lucas Warren
Public Relations & Communications Director
Alberta Dental Association
lwarren@albertadentalassociation.ca
780-932-0534

Backgrounder: Seven simple tips to improve your oral health

Oral health is a huge contributor to your overall health and wellbeing. When you’re experiencing pain, missing teeth, or have an oral infection, it can influence the way you speak, eat, and socialize. Following are some ways to promote your physical, mental and social wellbeing.

Work on your brushing.
Excellent brushing is not as easy as you might think. There are roughly 192 surfaces to clean when we brush our teeth. Consider asking your dentist or hygienist for “disclosing solution” to help see how many of those 192 surfaces you reach.
Reduce your intake of sugary drinks and make water your drink of choice.
Sugar is one of the main causes of dental problems. It attracts bacteria that can cause diseases that affect the health of your teeth and gums. As a result, consuming sugary drinks may lead to an increased risk of cavities and other issues.
Drinking water keeps you hydrated without added sugars or acids. It also helps your body rinse away the harmful bacteria and acids from eating. Fluoridated drinking water also has added oral health benefits, like protecting your teeth against cavities.
Use an ultra-soft bristle toothbrush and replace it every three months.
Soft bristles help clean your teeth and gums without causing added erosion to your enamel and gums.
Use a toothpaste with fluoride.
Fluoride is a safe, effective method for preventing dental cavities. More information about the use of fluoride is available at albertadentalassociation.ca/fluoride
Floss every day.
Flossing helps prevent the build-up of tartar, which turns into plaque, and can cause a variety of oral health problems.
Eat a well-balanced diet, including snacking on cheese, nuts, fruits, and veggies.
A balanced diet is essential to overall health, but did you know that eating cheese can help keep your teeth and gums healthy? Cheese contains casein, which coats your teeth and provides a protective barrier against harmful bacteria and acids.
Avoid smoking, vaping, cannabis, or chewing tobacco.
There are a number of serious risks associated with the use of these products, like bad breath, stained teeth, cardiovascular disease, and oral and lung cancers. Learn more about how these products negatively affect your oral health and general wellbeing.

For more information about the Alberta Dental Association or Oral Health Month, visit
albertadentalassociation.ca/happymouth