Every year, in the first full week of August, the Australian Dental Association (ADA) promotes Dental Health Week. It’s their annual campaign to raise awareness and educate Australians about the importance of their oral health in relation to their everyday lives.
This year the theme is ‘Watch Your Mouth’ and this relates to just not caring for your teeth, but your gums and your whole mouth.
The four key messages in this campaign are:
- Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
- Clean in between teeth at least once a day with floss or an interdental brush
- Eat a healthy balance diet and limit sugar intake
- Regularly visit the dentist for check-ups and preventive treatment.
A lot of people don’t realise that the majority of dental disease is completely preventable. Many people also complain about the cost of dental treatment, however by following the above messages you will dramatically reduce the amount of dental treatment you require and therefore the cost.
Seeing the dentist regularly for your check-up, hygiene treatment, and possibly x-rays and fluoride treatment, will help prevent the need for further treatment, eg fillings, root canal, extractions which will all be a lot costlier. In addition, some health insurers give a greater rebate for these preventative treatments.
Dr Mishari waiting to check your teeth
There are also links between your oral health and general health. If money isn’t the issue for not scheduling that twice yearly dentist date, then think about your health. Chronic inflammation from your mouth can lead to, or exacerbate, a number of other diseases. Those with heart issues or diabetes should be especially careful.
There have also been studies carried out linking fitness and poorer training results in those with untreated gum disease. To all you fitness buffs out-there – could your poor dental health be holding you back?
Over the coming weeks, we will venture into each of these topics in more detail. As always, if you have any dental questions, or topics you would like covered in the blog – just send us an email: hello@dentistryongeorge.com.au
Happy Dental Health Week!
