Dental Health Week 2021 - Keep your Smile for Life

The key message for Dental Health Week 2021 is "Keep your Smile for Life"

Whether you live in Seven Hills or Auburn, Blacktown or Strathfield, Toongabbie or Lidcombe, we all have grandparents or know someone who has grandparents. In our grandparents' generation and before them, it was always assumed that as we got older, our teeth would either get rotten or fall out. The assumption was that as people aged, it was normal to have missing teeth or to need to wear dentures (false teeth).

We know for a fact that this doesn't have to be the reality at all. As we get older, it is possible to keep all our teeth. With improved understanding and education, we know that it is definitely possible to Keep your Smile for Life

Australian health research shows that 90% of all dental disease is preventable, yet dental decay and gum disease is a significant and costly health issue amongst adults and children. Research also suggests that the health of your mouth can be reflective of the health of your body as a whole. For example, when your mouth is healthy, there is a higher chance that your overall health is good. And conversely, if you have poor oral health, you may be more likely to have other health problems and have a weaker immune system.


At Capstone Dental, patient education has always been one of our core values in delivering excellent dental care to you and your family. Our belief is that going to the dentist isn't just about coming for a broken tooth or toothache, nor is it just about coming to get your teeth checked and cleaned every 6 months. We want you to walk away with a better education and understanding of what is going on inside your mouth, why it's happening and how to manage things better.

Stay tuned below for some important messages on dental health!

The 4 Key Messages for Dental Health Week 2021 to Keep your Teeth For Life

1. Brush twice daily using fluoride toothpaste

2. Clean between your teeth daily using floss or interdental brushes

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

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

Dental Health Facts: Did you know?

• 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.

• 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.

• 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'.

KEY MESSAGE 1 - Brush twice daily using fluoride toothpaste

Dental Health Fact: Research shows that 1 in 5 Australians do not brush twice daily

Dental Health Fact: Research also shows that not brushing twice a day and not flossing once a day leads to poor oral health and this can accelerate tooth decay and gum disease.

Best Tips for Brushing Your Teeth

• Brush twice a day using fluoride toothpaste.

• Brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes, twice a day.

• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush with small head.

• Choose a toothpaste containing fluoride.

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

• Replace your toothbrush every 3 months.

KEY MESSAGE 2 - Clean between your teeth daily using floss or interdental brushes

Best Tips for Dental Flossing

• Clean between your teeth daily using floss or interdental brushes

• Do this at least once per day.

• Start flossing children’s teeth once they have two teeth touching side-by-side. Help them build the habit at a young age

• Your dentist can advise you: Whether floss or interdental brushes are best for your teeth.

KEY MESSAGE 3 - Eat healthy, balanced diet and limit added sugar intake

The Importance of Diet for Good Dental Health

• 4 in 10 parents report their children under 17 years drink 2 - 5 soft drinks a week

• 83% of parents know such drinks can lead to tooth decay.

• A sizeable number of parents appear to be unaware that fruit juice can lead to tooth decay.

• Eat a healthy, balanced diet and limit added sugar intake

• Limit your added sugar intake as its single-biggest cause of tooth decay.

• Choose tap water as your drink of choice. Avoid sugar-based and/or acidic drinks (low pH).

• View the Nutrition Information Panel on food and drink labels to check sugar content.

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

• Avoid snacking and grazing.

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

Why do regular dental check up and cleans matter for you and your family?

• Regular dental check up and cleans every 6 months is like having your car serviced. Every 10,000km get your engine oil, brake pads and tyres checked. Regular maintenance avoids the major breakdown

• You don’t expect to lose your arm or leg as you get older. You shouldn’t expect to lose your teeth as you get older either.
  
  Top Dental Tips

• Visit the dentist regularly every 6 months for check-ups and preventative care

• If you need to attend more regularly, your dentist will let you know. They should also explain and help you to understand why this might be needed

• At your regular check up, your dentist will check for tooth decay, gum disease and perform an oral cancer screening.

DISCLAIMER: The information contained on this website should NOT be used as a substitute for the medical or dental advice of an appropriately qualified and licensed dentist, doctor or other health care provider. The information provided here is general in nature and should be used for informational purposes only.

If you found this article helpful, please share it with your family and friends. We firmly believe in educating our patients to help them understand how to achieve good oral health. Are you looking for modern and gentle dentist who will look after you and your family? We are your local dentist in Seven Hills. We are your local dentist in Auburn!

Welcome to Capstone Dental!
Capstone Dental Seven Hills is within minutes from Toongabbie, Prospect, Blacktown, Lalor Park, Baulkham Hills, Girraween, Kings Langley, Bella Vista.

Capstone Dental Auburn is within minutes from Strathfield, Lidcombe, Olympic Park, Newington, Silverwater, Clyde, Rose Hill, Granville, Guildford, Villawood, Chester Hill, Regents Park, Chullora.

We are the local Western Sydney dentist you can trust!