Dental Health Week 2021 focuses on preventative care for your teeth and gums to keep you smiling for life. Good oral health comes from:
- Brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste (replace every 3 months)
- Cleaning between your teeth daily with floss or interdental brushes
- Eating a healthy, balanced diet and limiting sugar intake
- Visiting the dentist for regular check-ups
- Keeping hydrated with water; not smoking.
- Maintain saliva flow (which neutralises acid) and reducing nasal blockage (which causes mouth breathing).
Cavities are the biggest disease in the world – unfortunately even in Australia, oral health is not as good as it should be.
- 75% of adults rarely or never floss or clean between their teeth.
- 1 in 5 adults brush only once per day.
- 39% of parents report their children drink 2 – 5 soft drinks per week.
- 2 in 3 adults usually visit the dentist for a problem rather than a regular check-up.
- 47% of adults (18+ years) consume too much sugar.
Poor oral health leads to other physical and mental health issues – over time it can do the following:
- Cause oral infections and lead to heart and lung disease, diabetes, stroke, and premature births
- Affect your psychological well being, self-image, and confidence
- Lead to financial burden and social isolation – our mouth is a visual cue for communication at work and in social settings
- Reduce nutrition through difficulties in chewing and swallowing
- Affect your speech and lower your quality of life, including reducing participation in school and workplaces
- Disrupt your sleep and impact your productivity in day to day work or living
Find out more in this week’s podcast episode of Prevention Hacks. Dentist Dr. Martina Lavery joins us to talk about preventative dental care and how this impacts our overall health and wellbeing. She shares her advice on how we can be proactive with our oral health to prevent disease.
You can listen to the podcast here
Or watch on our YouTube channel here