Dental Health Week, which runs from 1 to 7 August, is the Australian Dental Association’s major annual oral health promotion event. It aims to educate Australians about the importance of maintaining good oral health in every aspect of their lives.
It has three main objectives:
promote oral health education and awareness in the general community,
motivate and educate dental professionals to promote good oral health,
- encourage ongoing collaboration within the dental profession.
This year, Dental Health Week is focusing on the significant ways that hormones can play havoc on a woman’s oral health, an especially important topic. This is in light of a recent study that revealed that many women are unaware of the significant impact that various life stages have on the health of their teeth and gums. The reality is that major life events like pregnancy, puberty, menstruation and menopause dramatically affect the state of your dental health if you are a woman. Throughout the course of Dental Health Week, you will be encouraged to take a more preventive, hands-on approach to your dental health as you learn more about the ways your teeth, gums and mouth are affected during each of the pivotal phases of your life.
Bleeding is usually a sign that something untoward has happened to your body, yet many people think that it’s perfectly normal for their gums to bleed when they brush or floss. But, of course, it's not; bleeding gums are a sign that your gums are inflamed due to disease-causing bacteria. Ignoring bleeding which results from brushing and flossing means you stand a real risk of developing a serious form of gum disease.
The two main stages of gum disease are gingivitis and periodontitis.
This early form of gum disease occurs when dental plaque, the bacterial film that covers the surfaces of your mouth, builds up on your teeth, particularly where the gum and tooth meet. When this happens, your gums may appear red, swollen, feel extra sensitive, and bleed easily. Fortunately, gingivitis doesn’t lead to a loss of the bone and tissue that hold your teeth in place and can be reversed with twice daily brushing and flossing, as well as regular professional cleaning by your dentist or dental hygienist.
Ignoring the bleeding caused by gingivitis could lead to a more serious form of periodontitis. The reason this disease is so serious is that it causes your gums to pull away from your teeth, forming spaces (known as “pockets”) that can easily become infected. Naturally your body’s immune system fights the infection, but this response and the bacterial toxins generated by the infection combine to create a toxic brew that breaks down the bone and tissue that hold your teeth in place and, in severe cases, can lead to their removal.
In addition to plaque, which is largely responsible for the development of gum disease, the health of your gums can also be affected by:
Smoking and tobacco use,
Genetic predisposition,
Systemic diseases like diabetes and arthritis,
Stress and poor nutrition,
- Hormonal fluctuations such as those experienced during puberty, pregnancy, menstruation and menopause.
Dental Health Week is the perfect time to think about to how you brush your teeth, beyond squirting on some toothpaste, and scrubbing back and forth. But as your dentist will tell you, how you brush your teeth matters a great deal. That’s because brushing plays a critical role in removing the plaque that can cause tooth decay and gum disease. You've probably heard that message a thousand times but there’s a good chance you’re not brushing correctly or as frequently as you should. How often you brush, how long you brush for, the kind of technique and toothbrush you use all have a major impact on the effectiveness of your brushing. For instance, did you know that you should be brushing for a minimum of two minutes, twice a day? Most people don’t come close to brushing for that long and often brush their teeth quickly and distractedly, in the middle of many other pressing tasks.
Your local pharmacy can help too. One of the key aspects to maintaining oral care is hygiene management. Pharmacies also offer services which can help people living with dental and oral hygiene issues. Talk to Que, Kae or Jamie during Dental Health Week and find out how they can help, as well as provide education and training.
