GETTING MOUTH FIT

There’s more to looking after your oral health than just having a beautiful smile. Neglecting your teeth and gums can also affect your general health so here we look at what you need to know to give yourself the best chance of having a healthy mouth – and body – for life.

KEEP SMILING

Poor oral health is mostly preventable, yet it is one of the most common chronic health problems in Australia. Certain medications, teeth grinding, and careless brushing and flossing can all compromise the condition of our teeth and gums.

The link between oral health and disease

Healthy gums don’t bleed when brushed or flossed

Most of the bacteria in your mouth – and other areas of your body – are harmless but when you neglect your oral hygiene, levels of bacteria can increase to a point where they cause infections that lead to tooth decay and gum disease. With research pointing to oral bacteria and the inflammation associated with periodontitis – a severe form of gum disease – as potential contributors to serious diseases, it pays to give your mouth some attention. (See Beyond Teeth.)

Choosing wisely

Your dentist is someone you’ll see on a regular basis over many years so it’s important to pick one you feel comfortable with. When you see the same dentist year after year, you get a consistently high level of care that you won’t get if you regularly change dentists. Don’t wait until you crack a tooth to find a dentist – an emergency is not the time to start your research.

FINDING YOUR PERFECT MATCH

Word of mouth is a great way of finding a dentist. If your friends and family are happy with their dentist, chances