A recent report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has found the dental health of Australians is not improving.
Despite a growing awareness of dental decay culprits such as high sugar consumption, there has been a rise in the average number of children’s baby teeth affected by decay and nearly half of all children aged 12 years had decay in their permanent teeth.
Meanwhile, over one-third of adults have untreated decay, more than 50% of people aged 65 years and more suffer from gum disease and one in five have complete tooth loss.
With poor oral health linked to heart infections, coronary heart disease, stroke, poor outcomes in pregnancy and aspiration pneumonia, ensuring you are adequately caring for your teeth is crucial.
It doesn’t take much to ensure the health of your teeth. Follow these eight simple steps to take care of your pearly whites for life:
1. Brush teeth twice a day for two minutes
2. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush
3. Floss once a day
4. Visit your dentist every six months
5. Use products containing fluoride
6. Eat a balanced diet
7. Limit your intake of sweet and acidic food and drinks
8. Chew sugarless gum for 20 minutes after meals