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Maintaining a healthy smile goes beyond your regular brushing and flossing routine that helps to make your teeth look whiter and feel fresh.

Visiting your dentist regularly for check-up and cleans as well as practicing routine oral hygiene habits form the foundation of preventative dental care. This routine care relies on consistency when it comes to oral health care, helping to preserve your smile, but also helping to care for your overall health and well-being.

 

Reduce your risk of more complicated dental issues with preventative dental care

Cavity prevention

Preventative dental measures play a key role in cavity prevention. Professional dental cleans remove plaque and tartar that can contribute to tooth decay if left untreated. Additionally, regular check-ups allow dentists to identify early signs of cavities allowing early intervention before becoming more complicated and painful. Incorporating fluoride treatments and dental sealants provided by your dentist help to further strengthen teeth, providing defence against cavities in between your visits.

Gum disease prevention

One of the key benefits of preventative dental care is the effective prevention of gum disease. Gum disease, if left untreated, can lead to more severe complications, including tooth loss and systemic health problems. Like many oral health issues, this can be prevented with regular dental cleans to remove plaque and tartar buildup, while your dentist can also identify any early signs, reducing the risk of gum disease and promoting healthier gums.

Overall health

The significance of preventative dental care often extends beyond oral health and has a profound impact on our overall well-being. Last year, Dental health week taught us that the health of our mouth can influence the rest of the body with a range of medical conditions affected by or affecting oral health. Preventing oral health problems through regular check-up and cleans can also contribute to the maintenance of your regular health.

 

The cost-effective reason for investing in preventative dental care

Investing in preventative dental care is a cost-effective approach to oral health. Regular check-up and cleans, along with early intervention for potential issues, can help you avoid more extensive and expensive dental treatments in the future. Prevention can not only save you money in the long run but can also provide a better chance of a higher quality of life by preserving your natural teeth and oral function.

Keep on top of regular check-ups with payment options that can help you.

We understand that maintaining and improving your oral health can be financially daunting at times. That’s why our centres accept payments covered by the CDBS for eligible patients* and offer 100% back⁺ on dental check-ups for eligible nib members.

• Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) – The CDBS provides eligible children up to $1052 in free dental* benefits for a range of services including examinations, x-rays, cleaning, fissure sealing, fillings, root canals and extractions. Check your child’s eligibility.
• Health fund dental extras – If you have dental extras with nib, you may be eligible for 100% back on dental check-ups⁺.

 

By maintaining regular check-ups and professional cleans, you can significantly reduce the risk of dental problems down the track. If it’s been over 6 months since your last check-up, book an appointment today and ensure you are keeping track of oral health.

 

 

*Free when services covered by the Commonwealth Government’s Child Dental Benefits Schedule are bulk billed by participating Practitioners for treatments provided to eligible patients.

⁺Payment by nib of dental benefits is subject to serving relevant waiting periods, annual limits and service limits. 100% Back only for nib customers with policies which provide no gap and have sufficient benefits remaining. Check your cover at nib.com.au or call 13 14 63. The dental check-up includes examination (011, 012), scale and clean (114) or removal of plaque (111), fluoride (121) and bite-wing or periapical x-rays (022, maximum of 2 per year) as deemed necessary and appropriate in the clinical opinion of the dentist (dentures not included). The services provided will be deducted from your annual limits and/or service limits. 100% back dental excludes DentalPass members and is not to be used in conjunction with any other offer or government scheme, nor substitutable or redeemable for cash.

Many of us tend to steer away from too many foods containing lots of sugar especially after the holidays. But you may be surprised to know that sugar is also found in many natural foods that we deem healthy for our teeth and body.

 

The effects of sugar on our oral health

When you consume sugar, it activates an interaction with the bacteria in the tooth’s plaque, leading to the production of acid. This can dissolve tooth enamel and cause tooth decay if not cared for properly with routine tooth brushing and regular dental check-up and cleans. Unfortunately for us, oral bacteria are not picky when it comes to the type of sugar they want to feed on, whether it is natural, refined, liquid or grains, so it’s worth looking at some low sugar alternatives.

Fruits, vegetables, dairy and grains all contain sugar in their purest forms and are still healthy for our entire bodies, but it’s important to care for our teeth while eating these foods. The best way to deal with this is to maintain regular preventative dental check-ups and continue brushing our teeth at the end of the day, no matter what we have been eating, whether that be natural or added sugars.

It’s worth taking note of how much and how often we’re eating sugar, in whatever form it’s in so you can make some alternative choices when it comes the foods we frequent most.

 

Frequently consumed foods and drinks containing hidden sugars:

• Processed cereals, especially cereals which are popped, flaked or fried².
• Flavoured yoghurt with added fruits².
• Condiments such as tomato and BBQ sauces, salad dressings and relishes².
• Prepackaged foods such as baked beans and packet soups.
• Muesli, fruit and ‘snack’ bars.
• Fruit juice.
• Flavoured milk.
• Sports or energy drinks.
• Alcoholic drinks, especially when combined with an acidic mixer, such as soft drink or fruit juice³.

 

Our low-sugar alternative options for your teeth

Try opting for these alternatives to support your teeth;

• Unprocessed cereals– The least processed cereals usually have single whole-food ingredients like plain rolled whole oats. You can make your own home-made granola with unprocessed ingredients.
• Carrot and celery sticks– these are great sources of fibre, vitamin C, and vitamin A and are hydrating for your teeth.
• Leafy greens – Kale and spinach are high in calcium, folic acid, and B vitamins.
• Apples – Provide a great source of hydration, fibre and saliva production which helps to protect teeth enamel.
• Milk, cheese and dairy foods – dairy encourages your body to produce more saliva, protecting your teeth while calcium and protein help to strengthen teeth.
• Plain yoghurt– calcium and protein help to strengthen your teeth without added sugars. You can add fresh fruits such as berries.
• Black and green teas – These contain antioxidants, which help remove harmful bacteria from the mouth.
• Lean proteins – Meat, fish, poultry, and tofu help to keep teeth healthy with good sources of phosphorous and protein.
• Nuts– Almonds are a great source of calcium and protein while being low in sugar.

 

How you can implement healthier eating habits for your teeth:

• Read food labels – sugar can also be named as glucose, sucrose, lactose or syrups. Any foods with more than 15g sugar per 100g are high in added sugar. The best choices are foods with less than 5g per 100g¹.
• Use a straw when drinking sweet liquids – this minimises contact between the beverage and teeth.
• Reduce snacking between meals – this helps to reduce acid attacks on our teeth⁴.
• Learn to love your saliva – it plays an important role in remineralising and strengthening teeth.
• Drink water and chew sugar-free gum – Chewing sugar-free gum and drinking water after and between meals can increase the flow of saliva and help replace minerals more quickly⁴.
• Practice mindful eating – take your time enjoying meals and try to keep ‘treat’ foods for special occasions.

 

Sugar is all around us, making it impossible to avoid altogether – and besides, to many of us, sugar tastes good. When it comes to natural sugars, there is no reason to avoid these in our diets as they contain only small amounts of natural sugars but also fibres, vitamins, minerals and other beneficial combinations that are good for our teeth and bodies. While natural sugars in moderation are not likely to damage our teeth, it’s still worth checking with your dentist and GP as sugar effects everyone differently.

If it’s been a while since you last saw the dentist, book an appointment for your regular dental check-up. Your dentist can also discuss the effects of sugars on your oral health and can identify any issues early on.

 

 

¹ Exposing the hidden sugar in your diet – Cancer Council Victoria (cancervic.org.au)

² Finding the Hidden Sugar in the Foods You Eat | Johns Hopkins Medicine

³ https://www.teeth.org.au/alcohol

⁴ Limit the Effects of Sugar on Teeth | Colgate® Oral Care

The summer holidays are almost here, so if you’ve started to think about what to pack, we’ve got some tips for you. Whether you’re packing shorts and t-shirts, or warm jackets and ski gear, you’ll need to include a few oral health essentials in your toiletry bag. For many of us, packing a toothbrush and remnants of a mostly used toothpaste tube check off the list for holiday mouth care. But it’s worth thinking about what else our teeth need, wherever we are and whatever we’re doing.

Packing your oral health essentials

Storing your toothbrush

• When choosing your toothbrush – Electric toothbrushes are the easiest and quickest way to get the cleanest possible teeth and gums. If you prefer a manual toothbrush, soft bristled, small headed toothbrushes are the best design features to clean all tooth surfaces. When used with fluoride toothpaste and flossing, plaque build-up and the risk of decay is reduced¹.
• Storing your toothbrush – Keeping your toothbrush separate will help to avoid damage or contamination from your clothing and shoes. Toothbrush travel cases are the best way to transport and store toothbrushes when travelling. Make sure your toothbrush is dry before sealing the case to prevent bacteria from multiplying.

Everything else dental

• Pack dental floss, interdental brushes, tongue scrapers and mouthwash – Pack whatever cleaning aids you regularly use into your toiletries bag. It’s also a good idea to carry these in your day to day. Use zip-lock bags to separate items and store safely.
• Packing spares if you’re flying – while you’ll likely be able to access shops to purchase a new toothbrush, it’s also the last thing on most people mind as soon as they arrive. Packing a spare toothbrush and toothpaste in your hand luggage will be helpful to freshen up after your flight.
• On the plane- Many airlines provide toiletry kits which include a travel sized toothbrushes and toothpaste. These are a great alternative when flying but be mindful these aren’t meant to be long term toothbrushing substitutes.
• When to use bottled water– Use bottle water for brushing and rinsing if you’re unsure about the water quality where you’re travelling. Depending on your destination, not all tap water can be consumed so it’s better to be safe from the start.

 

5 Holiday tooth tips

1. Book an appointment with your dentist for a check-up before you leave. Dental emergencies can happen at any time, but prevention through regular appointments helps to reduce the risk of unexpected problems. If a dental emergency occurs call early to secure a same day appointment at your nearest centre.
2. Check your holiday insurance covers emergency dental care. Be aware that some travel insurers don’t cover pre-existing conditions.
3. Keep up your daily toothcare routine while you’re away. Brush at least twice each day with fluoridated toothpaste and floss daily. Invest two minutes twice a day into brushing – it’s a small investment of time for the benefits you’ll get back.
4. Remember that water is your friend. Keep a water bottle handy and try to keep sweet drinks such as juice, soft drinks and energy drinks as treats. Rinse your mouth with water after eating and drinking, especially after tea, coffee and red wine which can stain tooth enamel.
5. Chew sugarless gum in-between brushing. This helps to increase saliva flow, reducing the risk of cavities.

 

If you’re planning on traveling or going away these holidays, Book an appointment with your dentist to ensure you have no underlying issues before you take off.

 

 

¹https://www.teeth.org.au/brushing-teeth