Dental health
What is dental health?
Dental health (also called oral health) is concerned with the health of your teeth and gums, as well as the health of the muscles and bones in your mouth. Maintaining good dental health is important to overall physical and emotional well-being throughout your life.
Poor dental health can lead to several oral problems including tooth decay and tooth loss. It has also been linked to heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
Unfortunately, many Australians suffer the consequences of poor oral health with 90% of all Australians having had some form of tooth decay in their lives and more than one-third of five-year-old children having decay in their baby teeth. However, taking care of your dental health and ensuring good oral hygiene is relatively easy.
Signs of poor dental health
Poor dental health can result in many symptoms. These include:
chronic bad breath
gums that bleed or become swollen after brushing or flossing
dry mouth
pain or toothache
pain when you bite or chew
cracked or broken teeth
receding gums
sensitivity to hot and cold foods
ulcers or sores that don’t heal within a week or two
facial or cheek swelling
a jaw that clicks
How poor dental health can affect you
The most common oral diseases affect the teeth (tooth decay, or dental caries), and the gums (periodontal disease).
Tooth loss can impact how your mouth functions and may make chewing and swallowing difficult. This in turn can affect nutritional intake which can lead to impaired overall health. Poor nutrition can also exacerbate existing health conditions. Poor oral health is linked to chronic diseases such as stroke and cardiovascular disease, diabetes, lung conditions and adverse pregnancy outcomes such as premature birth and low birth weight babies. Almost 17.5% of the Australian population avoid certain foods due to dental problems.
Sometimes poor dental health can affect a person’s emotional and mental wellbeing, particularly if their appearance and speech are affected. In some cases, the person affected may restrict their involvement at school, work or in social situations.
Untreated dental decay or gum disease can also lead to serious infections which can spread through the blood stream to other parts of the body, including the heart.8Dental disease can also destroy the soft tissues in the mouth which may lead to lasting disability.
What causes poor dental health?
Several factors contribute to poor dental health. These include:
tobacco use
a diet high in sugar
high level of alcohol consumption
poor brushing habits
not flossing between teeth
not having regular dental check-ups
medical conditions such as diabetes, heartburn, acid reflux
frequent vomiting — the acid in the vomit attacks the teeth enamel
family history of dental problems
medications that reduce the amount of saliva in the mouth
hormonal changes
lack of fluoride in some water supplies
stress — this can lead to teeth grinding which may crack teeth
Who is at risk of oral health problems?
Everyone is at risk for oral health problems but some people have a higher risk. These include:
people from low socio-economic backgrounds as they are less likely to see a dentist regularly
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
people living in regional or remote areas
people with additional or specialised health care needs such as those with:
o mental illness
o physical, intellectual and development disabilities
o people with complex medical conditions
o frail, older people
How are dental diseases diagnosed?
Many dental or oral health problems can be diagnosed during a regular dental exam. This exam may also include taking X-rays to check areas of your teeth that can’t be seen during an exam (i.e. in between your teeth, or areas of the teeth under the gum).
However, if there are signs of more serious disease, including oral cancer, further tests will be required which may include:
X-rays
MRI scan
CT scan
endoscopy
How to care for your mouth, teeth and gums
Fortunately, it’s relatively easy to take good care of your mouth, teeth and gums. Recommended steps include:
brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
children under 18 months don’t need toothpaste and young children should use a child-strength toothpaste
floss your teeth daily
eat a healthy and well-balanced diet
drink plenty of tap water, as this contains fluoride to help strengthen your teeth
have regular dental checks
don’t smoke
limit alcohol and sugary drinks
limit sugary foods
avoid mouth piercings as these can damage teeth and become infected
wear a mouthguard when playing sport, if there is a risk of injury to your mouth
When should you see your dentist?
A lot of people only visit their dentist when something is wrong. However, dentists can check for signs of disease, including signs of oral or head and neck cancer, before they become big problems. Regular check-ups with a dentist can help keep your teeth and gums in good health. Unfortunately, less than half of Australian adults have had a dental check in the last 12 months.
Most dentists recommend having a full dental check-up every 6 to 12 months. However, some people may need to see a dentist more frequently.
Children should have their first dental check by their first birthday or when their first tooth comes through, whichever happens first.
Check with your dentist how often you should have a dental check.
Of course, you should visit your dentist if you notice anything unusual, or experience any of the following symptoms:
red, sore or swollen gums
gums that bleed when you brush or floss
gums that are pulling away from the teeth
loose adult teeth
sensitivity to hot or cold
pain when biting or chewing
chronic bad breath
a persistent unusual taste in your mouth
Your local MediADVICE Pharmacist is available to help you manage your health. Speak to your MediADVICE Pharmacist about your dental health concerns so we can recommend products and discuss the potential impact of medications you may be taking, such as those that reduce the amount of saliva in the mouth.
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