Dental decay is the most common chronic disease in Australia
Did you know that oral diseases affect almost 3.5 billion people worldwide? The Global Burden of Disease Study 2017 found that 2.3 billion people suffer from dental decay of adult teeth and more than 530 million children suffer from decay of baby teeth.
As dental decay and periodontal disease (gum disease which can result in tooth loss) are the major dental problems experienced by individuals, it is essential that early detection and prevention is carried out to protect your teeth.
We all strive to have optimal health and lead healthier lives and the impact of oral health on our general health is often overlooked or underestimated. It is so important for you to keep up to date with your regular examinations and hygiene appointments so that we can detect, treat and prevent these problems early on.
These statistics will shock you!
These are just some of the statistics sourced from the World Health Organization (2020) to show how prevalent oral health issues are in the world.
- Between 60%-90% of school children have at least one dental cavity
- Almost 100% of adults have at least one dental cavity
- Between 15%-20% of adults aged 35 to 44 have severe gum disease
- About 30% of people around the world aged 65-74 don’t have any natural teeth left
- In most countries, out of every 100,000 people, there are 1-10 cases of oral cancer
- Oral disease is much more prevalent in in poor or disadvantaged population groups
This information can be quite overwhelming but there is good news. The World Health Organisation says that “Most oral health conditions are largely preventable and can be treated in their early stages.”
Having regular dental examinations and hygiene appointments is so important because it allows your dentist and dental hygienist to detect problems early on and treat before they become too sinister.
What happens at your dental examination appointment
Every six months, when you attend your dental appointments with us, we will check your teeth and gums and analyse the information gathered during past appointments. We will compare your current presentation with past records including dental x-rays and with information gathered during your hygiene visits too. If you have cavities or there are any other concerns, you will be diagnosed and your we will tailor an appropriate long-term treatment plan so that you can achieve the best outcome possible.
We will also check your mouth for signs of periodontal disease, mouth cancer and investigate any unusual growths or discolouration in your mouth. Most of the time, we won’t find anything sinister, but these checks can be lifesaving.
What are the dental professionals at Sydney Road Dental Care screening for?
Some people are more susceptible to certain dental problems such as decay, periodontal disease (gum disease which can cause tooth loss) and oral cancer. At every appointment, your clinicians will assess your health and screen for any risk factors such as hereditary conditions, medications, medical conditions, and lifestyle factors which can indicate problems.
Making regular dental appointments is essential. Having routine assessment, treatment and education means that you have the correct tools to achieve good oral health and prevent any issues in the future.
What happens at your Hygiene appointment
Like your regular dental examinations, a hygiene appointment should be carried out every 6 months unless there are issues that involve the health of the gums which needs to be addressed. At these appointments, the hygienists will assess your mouth and tailor an oral home regime to suit your particular needs. Dental hygienists focus on prevention strategies to help you keep your teeth and gums heathy.
Prevention is better than a cure
We all know that it’s better to see a dentist before you have a problem. Maintain a regular six monthly appointment schedule with your dental professionals so you can address any issues before they become huge problems.
- Maintain a healthy diet, low in sugars.
- Reduce your tobacco and alcohol intake
- Choose water as your main drink
- Regularly brush your teeth
- If you have bleeding gums you may need to come in sooner
- If you have broken any teeth come in sooner as it may be easier to fix earlier
We look forward to seeing you regularly!
At Sydney Road Dental Care we focus on early detection and prevention. If you think you may have any of the symptoms of gum disease contact us so that you can have a thorough examination and consultation. Follow this link to learn about your first visit with us or simply contact us for an appointment.
References:
Dental Health Services Victoria
Links between oral health and general health the case for action, (2011)
https://www.dhsv.org.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0013/2515/links-between-oral-health-and-general-health-the-case-for-action.pdf
World Health Organisation
Oral Health, March 2020