The Importance Of Oral Health – Tips For Good Oral Health - Dental Health Week 2023

Earlier this week, we explored the connections between oral health and general health. You can read more about it here (link to first blog).

It is clear to see how great an impact oral health has on the body’s overall health.

Prioritising good oral hygiene helps improve not only the health of your mouth but reduces the effects disease within the mouth may have on other chronic conditions.

 Four key steps for good oral health

 To maintain good oral health, we encourage everyone to do the following:

 1.       Brush teeth twice a day using fluoride toothpaste.

•  Choose a toothpaste containing fluoride. Low fluoride toothpaste is available for children.

• Brush for at least 2 minutes each time.

• Use a toothbrush with a small head and soft bristles.

• Angle the brush to ensure you clean near the gum.

• Don’t press too hard. This can damage the teeth and gums.

• Replace your toothbrush every 3 months.

 2.       Clean between your teeth every day using floss or interdental brushes.

•  Use floss, interdental brushes, or a water flosser.

• Do this at least once per day.

• Start flossing children’s teeth once they have two teeth touching side-by-side. This can be as early as two years of age.

• Talk to our friendly team for further advice on what will work best for your teeth.

 3.       Eat a healthy, balanced diet and limit added sugar intake.

• Sugar is the main cause of tooth decay.

• Choose tap water over sugary drinks, including fruit juice.

• Read the Nutrition Information Panel on food and drink labels to check how much sugar is present in the product.

• Choose tooth-friendly snacks such as cheese, nuts and vegetables.

• Avoid snacking and grazing.

 4.       Visit the dentist regularly for check-ups and preventative care.

•  Visit us at least once per year and take children as soon as the first tooth appears.

• If you need to attend more regularly, we will let you know.

• At your regular check up, we will check for tooth decay, gum disease and check for any signs of oral cancer

If you have any questions or it’s time for your check-up call us to book your appointment – Mitcham on 9874 0077 or Ringwood on 9879 2685.

Mind Body Mouth – It’s All Connected! Dental Health Week 2023

Did you know that the health of the mouth influences the rest of the body with a range of medical conditions affected by, or affecting, oral health?

 Join us for Dental Health Week 7-13 August, as we look at the links between poor oral health and general health.

 Almost half of the Australian population has one or more chronic diseases and yet 70% of people are not aware of the link between their oral health and chronic medical conditions.

 Oral diseases are connected to:

• Type 2 Diabetes

• Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes

• Heart Diseases

• Gut Issues

• Lung Conditions

• Alzheimer’s Disease

 Strong Connections

 There is a particularly strong link between severe gum disease and conditions like diabetes and heart disease.

 Heart Disease

Bacteria from severe gum disease can spread through the bloodstream contributing to build up within arteries and other blood vessels.

 Diabetes

Severe gum disease is now considered to be the 6th issue with diabetes. It makes controlling diabetes harder and diabetes will make gum disease worse.

 Growing Connections

 Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes

Bacterial changes from gum disease can spread to the placenta leading to possible preterm delivery, pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure) or low birth weight.

 Aspiration Pneumonia

Bacteria from the mouth in patients who cannot swallow easily has been inhaled leading to disease in the lungs.

 Alzheimer’s Disease

Bacteria from severe gum disease has been found in brain plaques that have led to the development of Alzheimer’s disease and decline in memory.

 Early Connections

 Gut Diseases

There is early evidence showing that both diseases make one another worse due to increasing the body’s total inflammation and bacteria from the mouth can travel to the gut that can worsen any gut issues.

 Lung Conditions including COVID-19

Bacteria from the mouth can be inhaled into the lungs, with the bad bacteria from gum disease leading to worsened conditions in the lung.

If you have any questions or it’s time for your check-up call us to book your appointment – Mitcham on 9874 0077 or Ringwood on 9879 2685.

Brushing For Two

Did you know that a dental checkup is recommended for women who are pregnant or trying to conceive? Your body goes through so many changes, including in the mouth, and it is a good idea to treat any problems early, before the baby arrives! Give our clinic a call to make an appointment with any of our dentists for a full checkup and clean.

As a member of the Australian Dental Association (Victoria) Oral Health Committee, I was recently invited by the Victorian Australian Medical Association to contribute an article in their member magazine VicDoc on the topic of Pregnancy and Oral Health.

The timing was perfect as I have been on maternity leave and the personal experience was fresh in my mind! Preventive oral health is a huge passion of mine, and it was a great opportunity to share a dental perspective with medical doctors.

I would like to thank all the dentists and staff at Brighter Smiles for their hard work over the last year while I have been away. I look forward to catching up with all my regular patients again in April, and meeting some new faces too!

Dr Elice Chen

Read Brushing For Two by Dr Elice Chen published in AMA’s VicDoc here - important information for maintaining your oral health care throughout pregnancy and oral health tips for your baby.

Good Oral Health Can Benefit More Than Just Your Smile

The Australian Dental Association’s (ADA) 2020 National Consumer Survey of around 25,000 people was released for Dental Health Week with a range of interesting findings which show that "Australians have the capacity to improve the daily habits that contribute to good oral health" (ADA Vice President Dr Steven Liew).

"Not brushing twice a day and flossing once a day is a fast track to developing tooth decay, gum disease and a range whole of body health issues that can arise from sub-par oral health.

Studies suggest that untreated advanced gum disease can increase the chances of serious cardiac events, adverse pregnancy outcomes including prematurity, Type 2 diabetes and other significant health conditions.” **

“The latest research across a range of studies has shown that people with advanced gum disease (periodontitis) have a much higher risk of a heart attack than people without it.

In another study it was found that not brushing your teeth caused systemic inflammation which could prompt serious cardiac events.” *

To protect your oral health and the health of your whole body, adopt these simple habits:

1. brush your teeth for 2 minutes, twice a day

2. floss thoroughly at least once a day

3. adopt a healthier diet, including consume a diet low in added sugar - including reducing fizzy drinks and sugary drinks

4. visit your dentist every 6 - 12 months for regular dental check-ups.

Remember that oral health is an integral part of your overall general health. *

SOURCE: Australian Dental Association ** https://www.ada.org.au/News-Media/News-and-Release/Latest-News/DHW-The-Mouth-Doesn-t-Lie-02082021 and for details on the studies and research on oral health impacts on the body see * https://www.ada.org.au/News-Media/News-and-Release/Media-Releases/DHW-media-release-2-03082021?fbclid=IwAR3fyNPS4B5n986jV141ohhgehYilmcHH2hesxD1EK9LDmgZeoRLGGDtOXI

The Importance Of Having A Regular Dentist

The Australian Dental Association’s recent National Survey found that only one third of Australian adults have a usual dentist. Having a regular dentist gives you the best chance to keep your smile bright for life!

At Brighter Smiles Family Dental Care we recommend regular check-up and hygiene visits every 6-12 months. Taking preventative measures and managing issues early will help keep your mouth as healthy as possible. Please let your dentist know if you have any concerns or medical conditions.

At these visits, we:

• Examine your mouth to assess your teeth, gums and surrounding tissues.

• Professional cleaning of your teeth and gums (“scale and clean”) to remove stains, plaque and calcified plaque (known as tartar or calculus). This will help control gum inflammation and disease.

• Polish and fluoride treatment to strengthen the teeth and help prevent decay.

• X-rays may be taken to check your teeth, fillings or jaws. Things can change in the mouth so it is important that x-rays are up to date – how often it is needed depends on various individual factors so check with your dentist.

• Check how you are going with caring for your teeth at home. We might discuss specific techniques or products for making your cleaning more effective. This will help your teeth stay cleaner and healthier. Feel free to ask any questions too!

The Mouth Doesn't Lie!

The mouth doesn’t lie: A peep into the nation’s mouth reveals shocking truths - From The Australian Dental Association!

New research from a deep dive into the nation’s mouths has found three quarters of us rarely or never floss or clean between our teeth.

Also, one in five adults brushes their teeth only once a day and over 60% of adults haven’t seen a dentist for at least 2 years.

Among other surprising outcomes, the Australian Dental Association’s (ADA) 2020 National Consumer Survey of around 25,000 people released today for Dental Health Week (2-8 August) also found:

- 4 in 10 parents report their children under 17 years drink 2 - 5 soft drinks a week, despite 83% knowing such drinks can lead to tooth decay. A sizeable number of parents appear to be unaware that fruit juice can lead to tooth decay.

- 2 in 3 adults usually visit the dentist for a specific problem rather than for a check-up, a figure that has not improved since first being recorded in 2014.

- 1 in 3 adults rate their oral health as 'poor' or 'very poor'. This increased with age to 1 in 2 adults for those over 56. The most common reason was 'don’t visit the dentist enough'.

"These findings show that Australians have the capacity to improve the daily habits that contribute to good oral health," said ADA Vice President Dr Steven Liew.

"Not brushing twice a day and flossing once a day is a fast track to developing tooth decay, gum disease and a range whole of body health issues that can arise from sub-par oral health.

"Previous studies suggest that untreated advanced gum disease can increase the chances of serious cardiac events, adverse pregnancy outcomes including prematurity, Type 2 diabetes and other significant health conditions.

"Brushing your teeth for two minutes, twice a day, and flossing thoroughly every day, as well as consuming a diet low in added sugar and seeing your dentist at least once a year, all go a long way to maintaining good oral health and benefits whole of body health."

Teeth whitening statistics showed 37% people purchased a kit online and 16% from a chemist or supermarket, 16% had it done at the dental practice, and 22% did it at home under the supervision of the dentist who supplied a take-home kit.

Further, 64% said they weren’t aware of the risks of teeth whitening services operated by non-dentists. These risks can include painful chemical burns to the gums and lips, and sensitivity or pain affecting the teeth. Meanwhile 18% of respondents said they whitened yearly, 38% every 6 months, 26% bi-monthly, 15% monthly and 3% every week.

About the Consumer Survey

- The ADA’s Consumer Survey was conducted in November and December 2020, and had 25,028 respondents aged 18 and over.

- It was split between 68% metropolitan, 25% regional and 7% rural responses.

- The gender split was 49% male and 51% female.

- The data was collected from focus groups, phone interviews and online surveys.

SOURCE: Australian Dental Association https://www.ada.org.au/News-Media/News-and-Release/Latest-News/DHW-The-Mouth-Doesn-t-Lie-02082021?fbclid=IwAR0eFb3XB4HM6VZ-TUC9mPROy3AYlA_VklTjTWQYmKdbrZrrACb1Q7HTDxA