Almost everyone in the world dreads the inevitable, painful, twice a year trip to the dentist. Chasing the perfect smile may not seem to be worth the pain, but avoiding routine checkups may pose a greater problem for one’s oral health. Likewise, it is also essential to understand the leading causes of poor dental health in Australia and the best practices to maintain oral health and hygiene.
A publication by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) reports that around 72,000 Australians were hospitalised for dental conditions that could have been prevented with earlier treatment. Meanwhile, there is a disparity amongst different regions of the country when it comes to oral health, and there are factors that influence this statistic. For example, almost 99% of people residing in Sydney can access fluoridated drinking water, which has multiple benefits for oral health. However, not all supply lines carry fluoridated water, especially in the suburbs. Hence some people tend to be at a greater risk of developing dental conditions.
Lanc Cove is a Sydney suburb amidst Northwood, Artarmon and Greenwich. And the people residing in suburban Sydney can book appointments with Lane Cove dentists to get their oral health checked and obtain advice on how often these checkups should be conducted.
Causes of Oral Health Problems
The National Advisory Council on Dental Health (NACDH) published a report in 2012 that identified several factors causing poor dental health and hygiene amongst Australians. They include:
- Excessive consumption of alcohol, tobacco and sugar.
- A lack of good oral hygiene practices and routine dental checkups.
- Inadequate exposure to fluoride (mainly in Queensland due to a change in government policy).
- Inaccessibility and unaffordability of certain dental services.
Dangers of Poor Oral Health
Good oral health and hygiene is a prerequisite for an overall state of well-being. Dental health problems can impair one’s ability to speak, eat and socialise, and this may lead to inconvenience, discomfort, embarrassment and pain.
However, there may be more grave consequences if one prolongs implementing corrective measures. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that nearly 3.5 billion people worldwide are at risk of contracting serious dental issues such as dental caries, periodontal disease, noma and oral cancer. And these issues could lead to severe pain, permanent disfigurement and could also be fatal in some cases.
Periodicity of Checkups
The common rule of thumb worldwide is that people should get their dental checkups once every six months. However, the best practice scientifically is to get it done once every 3-4 months. It concerns contextualising this information with respect to Australia as an AIHW report states that only 56% of Australians had seen a dental professional over 12 months in 2017-18. It is also reported that one-fifth of adults delay or avoid checkups due to the cost. The government has offered various dental health benefits averaging up to $60 per dental care service to improve the situation.
Furthermore, Lane Cove dentists and also, dentists from other parts of Sydney now offer excellent deals on dental care services, making taking care of one’s oral health extremely affordable.
Other Practices to Follow
- Brushing teeth twice a day.
- Using fluoride-containing toothpaste (1000-1500) ppm.
- Flossing regularly.
- Cleaning the tongue to avoid plaque build-up.
- Using mouthwash
In short, since your oral health directly affects your overall well being, it is a must to keep your oral health in check. Nevertheless, healthy life is a happy life.
