It is here again: Dental month. October 2012 has come and we still have all of our teeth, most of them or hopefully some of them. In any event, let us give Dental Month a big welcome.

It has been 11 years since the dental month initiative of the Department of Public Health was put into action. The initiative focuses on strengthening the dental knowledge of the general public. The stigma attached to dentistry has to be shed and shredded. Dental healthcare professionals are here to help and they are not here to harm.

When members of the different dental teams visit the various public schools, speak as guests on radio and television talk shows or publish articles in the local newspapers, please give them your attention. You will benefit and you will learn about the importance of mouth cleaning techniques; the importance of nutritious diets; the effects of fluoride; and the undeniable connection between the mouth and the rest of the body.

The goal of the Department of Public Health to educate about matters of the mouth does not only begin on October 1 and end on the October 31, but is always in motion. Knowledge of the health of the mouth is disseminated to all persons living in the Bahamas through the public dental clinics daily, excluding weekends. It is with knowledge about the health of the mouth that all persons living in the Bahamas can smile.

We all know that eating too many sweets is bad. We should know why. Do we know that eating too many starches and carbohydrates is just as harmful? We should.

Simple information has the potential to slow down the spread of one of the most rampant diseases in the world, dental caries (rotten teeth). This disease has either affected or will affect many of us, or has either affected or will affect someone close to us. Its attack is slow, steady and unyielding. In spite of this, we can’t let dental caries win and persons living in The Bahamas must successfully fight this menace. Brushing our teeth at least twice daily; flossing our teeth at least once daily; using fluoride products where appropriate; and eating a well-balanced diet will ensure we are successful. We will win.

The battle does not have to be fought alone; your dental healthcare professional will add to your efforts at home. He will give sound advice and will intervene with effective dental office procedures, if necessary. It is, therefore, crucial to visit your dentist at least twice yearly or as often as your dentist suggests.

The month of October is not only Dental Month, but is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It would therefore, be negligent not to mention the connection between the mouth and breast cancer. Breast cancer can affect the mouth cavity directly and indirectly. The direct effect is by the spread of breast cancer cells (metastasis) into the mouth and jaws. The indirect effect is due to the side effects of the methods of treatment of breast cancer.

Many women not only undergo surgery for breast cancer but also receive chemotherapy, radiation or hormone therapy. It is common for chemotherapy and radiation therapy to cause inflammation (unhealthy reddening) of the mouth’s mucous membranes and tissues. The chemotherapy and radiation therapy can also predispose to mouth infections, dry mouth and tooth decay. Taste changes, jaw stiffness, mouth pain and bone loss in the jaws, can also occur.

It is generally accepted by experts, that breast cancer treatments can cause bone loss in the jaws. When this bone loss occurs, drugs called bisphosphonates are sometimes used to treat the bone loss. These bisphosphonates, in turn can predispose to future poor bone healing capability in the jaws.

All of the body is connected. Whatever affects one part, has an impact on another part. Sometimes the impact is not an obvious one.

Let us always make mouth health a priority, especially during this month. Also, let us be aware of the connection between the mouth and the rest of the body. Let us keep our mouth alive.