This year, Dental Health Week, which is run by the Australian Dental Association, is from 5 to 11 August. The theme is ‘How’s your dental health tracking?’
To celebrate, Lifetime Holistic Dental has put together a fantastic offer. During Dental Health Week, you can take advantage of our teeth whitening package at a hugely discounted rate. You’ll receive in-chair whitening and a take-home whitening kit, including custom whitening guards, for just $500—saving you $300 on the usual price.
Please note: all patients will require an initial, no obligation assessment with the dentist to make sure that you are a good candidate for Zoom teeth whitening. Terms and conditions apply.
What Is Dental Health Week?
There are a lot of things to keep track of in life – whether you track the calories you consume, the number of steps you take, the hours you sleep or the amount of water you drink. But do you keep track of your oral health in the same way?
Dental Health Week is all about reminding people to take care of their oral health. This is particularly important as only 51% of Australians brush their teeth twice a day. Plus, 47.8% of Australians consume too much sugar.
This week is designed to get you to look at your own oral health habits and check whether they’re up to scratch and if you’re looking after your teeth and gums properly. Looking after them now can help you form good oral hygiene habits and ensure that your teeth stay healthy for the rest of your life.
We understand, however, that you’re probably busy and that you already have a million things on your to-do list; how on earth are you supposed to find time to even think about your oral health? But really, implementing healthy oral hygiene habits is easy and can seamlessly be incorporated into your everyday routine.
How Can You Get Your Dental Health on Track?
Now that you know you should get your dental health on track, you might be wondering how to go about it. Luckily, the simplest steps can often make the biggest difference.
Brushing
This one may sound obvious, but with only half the population of Australia brushing their teeth twice a day, chances are you don’t brush your teeth enough or with the right technique. You should be brushing your teeth twice a day – once in the morning and once at night – for at least two minutes each time. Be sure to use a soft bristled tooth brush,. This ss less damaging to your teeth and gums than hard bristled tooth brushes. Use circular motions to systematically brush all the surfaces of your teeth. You should also be careful to not neglect brushing your tongue, as your tongue is covered with bacteria.
Flossing
Whether floss or an interdental brush is your weapon of choice, it’s important to clean in between your teeth at least once a day. This removes plaque build-up which helps prevent tooth decay, gum disease and halitosis. Make sure to take your time flossing, using a gentle side-to-side motion and getting in between your teeth and gums.
If your gums bleed the first few times you start flossing, don’t worry – this is normal and usually just a sign of poor dental hygiene. Plaque has built up along the gum line causing the gums to become inflamed. This will usually stop after a few weeks of flossing. However, it’s a good idea to visit a dentist as it’s possible that the build-up of plaque has turned into calculus, which can only be removed by a dentist. If your gums continue to bleed or you are a consistent flosser and they suddenly start bleeding, you should consult with your dentist to determine the cause of the bleeding.
Visit Your Dentist
Ideally, you should be visiting your dentist around every six months. But, a recent survey has revealed that 65% of Australians haven’t visited their dentist in the last two years. By visiting your dentist regularly, you can ensure that any potential oral health problems are picked up early. This can save you a lot of pain, time and money in the future. Your dentist will also give you a professional clean, which removes the plaque and calculus that is unable to be removed with regular brushing and flossing.
Be Mindful of What You Eat and Drink
Eating badly not only affects your waist line, but is also unhealthy for your mouth. Consuming sugary food and drink or snacking regularly can do a lot of damage to your oral health. Maintaining a healthy diet with lots of vegetable and dairy products, and only eating three meals a day can do wonders for your teeth and gums in the long run.