April is National Oral Health Month in Canada. This month, dental practitioners across the country come together to support and educate Canadians in getting their confident smiles. In honour of Oral Health Month, our Winnipeg clinics are kicking the celebration off by highlighting the basic steps to a healthier mouth and smile. After all, a healthy mouth means more than just white teeth – it means a stronger, healthier heart, brain and body.  

For Oral Health Month 2026, the Canadian Dental Association has provided five oral health basics that all of us should keep in mind. Following these basic steps ensures a strong foundation for a long-lasting smile:

Brush and clean between your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste

It’s no surprise that this basic tip tops the list – dentists recommend that twice-a-day brushing starts as soon as a first tooth erupts. Consistent brushing, for two minutes at a time, using fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled brush (Curaprox brushes are our favourites) is the most important step in removing tooth decay-causing bacteria from your mouth and protecting against cavities, enamel erosion and gum disease.  

Check for signs of gum disease and oral cancer

April isn’t just National Oral Health Month; it’s also Oral Cancer Awareness Month. Even though your dentist examines your mouth at each checkup, it’s still important to watch for any early signs of gum disease or oral cancer between visits to our chair. For gum disease, watch for red, swollen or tender gums that bleed easily during brushing and persistent bad breath. For oral cancer, check for persistent red and white patches in your mouth or large white, grey or yellow canker sores, often with a hole in the middle of them.

Drink lots of water and eat a well-balanced diet

Hydration is key to a healthy mouth. Water rinses away tooth-damaging bacteria, sticky sugars and leftover food particles, keeping your mouth cleaner and your breath fresher between brushes. Support your water drinking habits with well-rounded and nutritional meals full of fibre, calcium and vitamins to keep your teeth strong (check out our Instagram for some recipe ideas!).  

Limit alcohol and cut out smoking and vaping

In addition to putting you at an increased risk for oral cancer, smoking and vaping both weaken your body's immune system, making fighting off infections more challenging. It also promotes the growth of tooth-damaging bacteria. Drinking alcohol isn’t much better, as many alcohols are full of sugar – the favourite food of those same harmful bacteria. Alcohol and smoking also decreases saliva production, a critical natural defense against tooth decay and enamel erosion.  

Visit your dentist regularly

No oral health routine would be complete without consistent visits to your dentist. We recommend coming in to see us very six months. This allows for regular cleanings that will keep your smile confident and bright, as well as to watch for cavities, gum disease, loose teeth or other developing issues. Booking a dentist appointment doesn’t have to be a chore. In fact, we make it as easy as hitting a button! Just use the orange “Book Online” button to schedule your next visit.  

Happy National Oral Health Month, and we hope to see you in our chair soon!

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