Oral Health | Huron Perth Public Health

Good oral health plays an important role in your overall health. Keeping your teeth healthy throughout your life requires daily dental care, regular dental checkups from an early age, and good nutrition.

Dental programs and clinics

Huron Perth Public Health offers dental screenings and preventive services.

Canadian Dental Care Plan

The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a federal program to help make the cost of dental care more affordable for eligible Canadian residents.

Oral healthcare providers get reimbursed for services covered under the CDCP.

You can learn more about eligibility and how to apply on the Government of Canada's Canadian Dental Care Plan webpage.

Healthy Smiles Ontario

Healthy Smiles Ontario is a free dental program for eligible children (17 years and under), who do not have dental insurance and cannot afford to pay for dental care.

Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program

The Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program provides free, routine dental services for eligible low-income seniors. Apply online or pick up an application form at our Stratford (West Gore) or Clinton offices. Contact us for more information.

Fluoride and oral health

Fluoride is a mineral that, along with good oral hygiene habits, can help prevent cavities from developing. It can even reverse or stop early tooth decay.

General information

Fluoride is found naturally in the groundwater. In communities with low fluoride, it may be added to the local water supply to increase the concentration to an optimal level. This added fluoride helps strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities.

You can also get fluoride from food and from dental products such as toothpaste and fluoride rinses.

Ingesting too much fluoride in childhood can cause dental fluorosis. Fluorosis happens before age eight when the teeth are forming in the gums. It is usually mild and leads to small white spots on the surface of adult teeth.

You can prevent dental fluorosis from developing:

Use a smear of toothpaste (rice grain sized) or just water for children under 3 years of age, and a small amount of toothpaste (pea sized) for children aged 3 and older
Supervise children when they are brushing their teeth; make sure they are spitting out the toothpaste
Only use fluoride rinses if recommended by a dental professional
Using an alternative source of water for drinking, cooking, and preparing infant formula if you live in an area with high naturally occurring fluoride (more than 1.5mg/L) and have young children

Learn more about fluoride:

Fluoride and Oral Health | Health Canada

Fluoride FAQs | Canadian Dental Association

Dental health at every age

It is never too early to start practicing healthy oral hygiene. Learn best practices for dental health at every age.

Babies and Children

Good oral health starts early. Caring for your child’s teeth and gums from birth helps prevent cavities, supports healthy development, and builds lifelong habits.

Key Tips for Healthy Teeth

Wipe gums daily after feeding before teeth come in
Brush with a soft toothbrush and water twice a day for two minutes once teeth appear
Avoid sugary drinks and never put baby to bed with a bottle
Lift the lip regularly to check for early signs of tooth decay (if you see white or brown spots, take your child to a dentist)
Offering only water between meals and snacks.
Using a smear of non-fluoride toothpaste or no toothpaste when your toddler brushes their teeth, until they turn three. At age three, or when your child can spit, use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.

Teething

Teething usually starts between six to 10 months and continues on and off until age two or three. While it's a normal part of development, it can cause discomfort for your child.

Key Tips for Soothing Teething Pain

Offer a clean, cool washcloth or solid teething ring (avoid liquid or gel)
Do not use medicated teething gels or ointments—they can be unsafe
Teething does not cause fever or severe diarrhea—contact your child’s healthcare provider if you're unsure.

Did You Know?

You can start introducing your child to the dentist as early as six months after getting their first tooth or by 12 months old. Bring them along to your dental visits and consider booking a short 10 to 15-minute appointment just for them. Early exposure helps your child feel comfortable and builds positive associations with dental care. Huron Perth Public Health also offers dental screenings and preventative services as well as free friendly visits for children under three for families who do not have dental insurance and cannot afford the cost of dental care.

Learn More

Healthy Teeth – Toronto Public Health
Practical tips and programs for parents and caregivers.
Healthy Teeth for Children – Caring for Kids
Pediatric dental advice from the Canadian Paediatric Society.
Oral Health Tips for Children 0-3 [PDF] – Health Canada
Basic care tips and dental health milestones for young children.
Teething – AboutKidsHealth
Trusted info from SickKids about what to expect and how to manage teething.
Tips for Kids – Ontario Dental Association
Oral health guidance for children of all ages.

Adults

Practice regular oral hygiene to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Visit the Canadian Dental Association for more information on dental health. Here are a few dental health tips:

Brush and floss your teeth daily
Use fluoride as recommended by your dentist and dental hygienist
Have regular dental check-ups
Limit sugar-sweetened beverages and snacks to prevent tooth decay

Seniors

As you age, you should continue practicing regular oral hygiene. Older adults can have unique dental issues. If you find it difficult to hold a toothbrush or floss, talk to your dental professional about finding an easier way that will work for you, like using an electric toothbrush.

Do you have dentures? Your false teeth need as much care as natural teeth. To keep germs and infections away:

Take your dentures out every night
Brush (without toothpaste) and rinse them
Soak them overnight, in denture cleaner or warm water