06 Aug ‘Watch Your Mouth’ this Dental Health Week 2018
‘Watch Your Mouth’ this Dental Health Week 2018
It’s Dental Health Week from 6th -12th August, this year’s aim is to educate Australians about the importance of maintaining good oral health and to ‘Watch Your Mouth’.
The reality is that many Australians are simply not watching their mouth:
– 65% of Australians haven’t seen a dentist in the last two years.
– 50% of Australians brushing their teeth only once-a-day.
– Nearly 40% never flossing or cleaning-between their teeth.
– 73% of young people (14-18 years) are consuming too much sugar.
Recent research indicates that your teeth and gums can be an indicator of your general health and help to flag potential problems. With this in mind, it’s easy to see why regular dental checks and oral hygiene are important.
Oral health and general health are related in several major ways:
- Poor oral health is significantly associated with major chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, stroke, dementia and more.
- Oral health issues and major diseases share common risk factors.
- General health problems may cause or worsen oral health conditions.
Studies have shown that cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and complications of diabetes, respiratory infections, stroke, and adverse pregnancy outcomes are significantly associated with tooth loss and periodontal disease.
It is therefore important to achieve optimal oral health by protecting natural teeth from decay and periodontal disease and a strong focus on early detection and prevention.
Oral health basics
Simple tips from Boulton Dental for healthy teeth for life
- Brush your teeth for at least two minutes, twice a day.
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush with small head and flexible neck.
- Clean teeth systematically, holding toothbrush at gumline at a 45-degree angle.
- Don’t press too hard – too much pressure can damage gums and tooth enamel.
- Choose a toothpaste with fluoride and replace your toothbrush every three months.
- Floss at least once a day.
- Limit your sugar intake as its the single biggest cause of tooth decay.
- Fluoridated tap water is best.
- Choose teeth friendly foods such as cheese, nuts and vegetables.
- Avoid snacking and grazing.
- Wear a mouthguard when playing sport as dental injuries can cause pain and loss of teeth
- Don’t smoke as it contributes to gum disease and oral cancer
- Make sure you visit your dentist regularly, at least once a year!
Watch your Mouth! And book a check- up with our team of friendly Newcastle dentists at Boulton Dental today, please call 02 4961 6300.
Online booking now available!
You can now book your next dental appointment anywhere, anytime with our easy online booking system. Try it today! Click HERE
Resources:
https://www.ada.org.au
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