Dental Health Week (6-12 August) acts as a reminder to Australians to visit their local dentist regularly and to implement healthy oral practices at home. This year the theme is Watch Your Mouth.
Dr Peter Bouboulos at Shire Dental Centre said the aim of the cheeky theme was to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining oral health every day and educate all Australians that doing so leads to positive health outcomes overall.
“You might not think it, but oral hygiene plays an integral role in your overall health and well being,” Dr Bouboulos said.
“Regular dentist visits are key to achieving a happier smile and healthier you; allowing for early detection and therefore treatment of any issues. If you have private health insurance, some providers offer a free check-up and clean twice a year, so you should definitely take advantage of that.
“If you don’t, it’s still a small investment in your health that could save you a lot of pain and money further down the track, because when abnormalities or decay are caught early, treatment can be minimal and less invasive.
“Between visits, to help prevent abnormalities or decay from occurring, you should adopt a simple yet regular oral hygiene routine; brushing twice a day with a soft bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, and flossing once a day.
“This will help reduce the risk of gum disease, which has been linked to other serious health problems including high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, stroke and diabetes.
‘It seems pretty simple, but according to the Australian Dental Association, 65 per cent of Australians haven’t seen a dentist in the last two years; 50 per cent of Australians brushing their teeth only once-a-day; and nearly 40 per cent never flossing or cleaning-between their teeth.
‘This Dental Health Week, I invite you to visit shiredental.com.au, where you can make use of a range of free educational resources to improve your overall health and well-being. However, since the best oral care education occurs face to face, from dental professional to patient, I also encourage you make an appointment with your local dentist.”
Dental Health Week tips from the Australian Dental Association:
• 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.
