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Each year, the Thunder Bay District Health Unit Oral Health Team visits elementary schools across the district to screen children in selected grades. This team consists of a Registered Dental Hygienist and a Dental Health Educator. The hygienist does a visual check of the child’s mouth to identify…

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit offers free dental services for eligible children and youth 17 and under.

 

Dental Screening

Screening consist of a visual inspection by a registered dental hygienist to identify obvious dental conditions that are causing or will cause pain and will…

The best thing you can do for your child’s oral health is to be a good example. If you are brushing and flossing daily, your child will learn that taking care of their mouth is part of daily hygiene. But, until they are old enough, you will have to look after their oral health for…

Are you an underdrinker? 

That’s the tongue-in-cheek question the TBDHU asked young adults in fall 2015 through a campaign to prevent binge drinking.

Elevated levels of drinking in Northwestern Ontario means that people in our district are at a greater risk of negative consequences. One in…

Robyn Land & Melissa Syrja, Public Health Inspectors


A streamlined Outbreak Response Protocol has improved the efficiency of public health’s response to confirmed or suspected food and waterborne illness outbreaks.  

Micro-organisms such as Norovirus or E. coli bacteria can get into…

Disclaimer

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit supports mental health in a variety of ways across our programs. We do not, however, provide acute crisis or mental health services or counselling. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis:


Call 911
Visit your nearest…

Oral health (dental health)  involves the health of your mouth. This includes your teeth, gums, jaw bone, palate (roof of the mouth), tongue, lips and the inside of your cheeks. It deals with “More Than Just Cavities” (PDF).

Many people don’t realize that good oral health is important for…

Opioids
Opioids are drugs that are used primarily to treat pain, Opioids can also induce euphoria (feeling high) and are sometimes used for this purpose. Opioids can be prescribed medications dispensed from a pharmacy or obtained through the illicit market. Some commonly used opioids include:…

Under Canada’s Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act, if you seek medical help for yourself or for someone else who has overdosed, neither of you will be charged for possessing or using drugs, nor will anyone else at the scene.

 

Protection from the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act…

Welcome to Get Mouthy! Get Mouthy is for 12-17 year olds and is all about protecting your mouth by making healthy choices. Click on each image to learn more!

*Have pics from the Get Mouthy photo booth at your high school? Share them with us by tagging @TBDHealthUnit on Instagram - we'd love to see…

Did you know? Research shows that good oral health is also linked to good overall health. Gum disease and cavities can actually lead to severe illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, and infections. Taking care of your mouth by brushing and flossing regularly and correctly will go a long way in…

Energy drinks can hurt your mouth. They can cause:


Breakdown of your tooth’s surface from the high acidity and sugar, leading to less protection for the tooth and tooth decay
Sensitive teeth 
Cavities from tooth decay


They can also cause:


Irritation, anxiety, aggression,…

The Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus that is spread by skin-to-skin contact during sex, or any intimate contact with an infected partner.

Did you know? 75% of sexually active Canadians will have at least one HPV infection in their lifetime. There are many types of HPV, and some of…

expand_moreSmokes


Smoking hurts more than your lungs. Smoking can cause many oral health problems, including:

Inflamed gums and mouth tissue
Tooth decay (cavities)
Increased plaque
Bad breath
Stained teeth
Decreased sense of smell and taste
Sensitive teeth
Oral and throat cancers
Mouth sores…

Mouth piercings include piercings of the:


Tongue
Lips
Cheeks
Other areas inside the mouth, like the uvula


Did you know? Mouth piercings can cause:


Infections
Cracked teeth
Damaged gums
Difficulties with keeping your mouth clean


I’d like to get a mouth piercing. How can I keep…