Why is it important to care for our teeth?

Dental decay is the most common "disease" that affects teeth, but it can be prevented. Decay follows the formation of plaque, a sticky film found on teeth. Chewing causes food to get trapped between teeth and inside the grooves. Bacteria found in the plaque converts sugar and starch (found in carbohydrates) into acids, which erode and cause holes to form in the teeth.¹ Every time sugar is eaten and broken down, teeth are attacked by acid for up to an hour. Acidic foods can also damage teeth as they etch away the enamel on the teeth.

Plaque can lead to gum disease when it builds up on the gum line of teeth. Gums can become inflamed (gingivitis) and the gum line recedes. Plaque can destroy the fibres and bone that hold teeth in place. Saliva neutralises acid and helps to remineralise teeth.¹

The introduction of fluoride in water and toothpaste reduced the amount of tooth decay in most of Australia.

Who is at risk of oral health problems?

• People who smoke (tobacco and/ or cannabis)
• People with diabetes and renal failure
• People who have had rheumatic fever or have other cardiac problems may require antibiotic coverage for dental work
• People with dry mouth conditions, HIV, alcohol problems and other conditions that are likely to affect their oral health
• People who are obese
• Older people

How should we care for our teeth?

Plaque can be removed by brushing with a fluoride-based toothpaste which helps saliva repair teeth. Plaque cannot be removed by rinsing alone. Brushing twice a day after meals will protect teeth. Children under the age of six should use low-fluoride toothpaste. Other things you should do to maintain good oral health are:

• Floss between teeth before brushing.
• Chewing toothpaste on a piece of foam before brushing helps to force paste into the grooves of teeth.
• Eat a healthy diet. Limit sugary foods and drinks such as juice, soft drinks and sports drinks as they soften teeth. Milk-based drinks are preferable. Water is better still.
• Drink tap water, not bottled water, as most bottled water does not contain fluoride.
• Regular checks at the dentist are an important part of maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Children should visit their dentist every six months.
• Some children may need dental sealants which protect a child’s adult teeth from decay. Sealants are painted on new molars to stop food from collecting on the chewing surfaces of teeth.
• Protect teeth during sport with a professionally fitted mouth guard and/ or helmet.
• Limit tobacco and alcohol consumption as they are risk factors for oral cancers. A smoker’s ability to heal is significantly impaired compared to that of non-smokers. ¹

Why is the dental health of our children worsening?

MBF claims data shows that there has been a 42% increase in children being treated in private hospitals for dental cavities.² The reasons for this may include:

• Lifestyle factors such as poor diet with the increasing consumption of sugary foods
• Increase in consumption of sugary drinks such as fruit juice, soft drinks and sports drinks
• Increase in consumption of bottled water instead of fluoridated tap water
• Some regional and remote areas do not have fluoridated tap water

What foods and drinks make tooth decay worse?

Any food containing sugar will increase the risk of tooth decay. Many processed foods have sugar in them, and the higher up it appears in the list of ingredients, the more sugar there is in the product. Read food labels to determine whether the product contains sugar. Sugar can be listed on labels as carbohydrates, and carbohydrates can cause similar plaque build-up.

Acidic foods can also cause the teeth to erode. Some examples of acidic foods include beer, grapefruit, orange juice, pickled foods, cola drinks, red wine and vinegar.³

What implications are there for our health when we don’t look after our teeth?

A build up of plaque on teeth and around the gum line can lead to gum disease. Gum disease is linked to heart disease because the bacteria that infect your gums can get into the blood and can sometimes infect the valves in your heart. These bacterial infections may also have a general affect on heart health.⁴ NB the plaque in your arteries has nothing to do with the plaque on your teeth.

Gum disease also results in a reduced ability to chew wholesome foods that can lead to poorer nutrition which in turn can affect the gums.

The waiting lists in the public dental health system can be long and in situations where dental care is urgent, waiting even a few months can lead to complications. These can include:

• malnutrition. About a third of people using public dental services avoid eating some foods because of bad teeth or gums;
• embarrassment and social isolation;
• illness such as mouth infections which can spread to the blood, lungs and the arteries, and increase the risk of heart disease.⁵

How can you prevent tooth decay and gum disease?

• Good oral hygiene
• Regular visits to the dentist
• Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption
• Avoid sweet drinks such as juice, soft drinks and sports drinks. If you do drink juice, dilute it with tap water. Still water and milk are the best drinks for teeth.
• Snack on foods that are less acidic or sweet for example cheese, nuts, apples, carrots, celery.
• A healthy diet.

Does chewing gum help?

Chewing gum makes your mouth produce more saliva, which helps to cancel out the acid in your mouth after eating or drinking. It has been proven that using sugar-free chewing gum after meals can prevent tooth decay. However, it is important to use only sugar-free gum, as ordinary chewing gum contains sugar and therefore may damage your teeth.³

What are the impacts of forgetting to brush (i.e. bad oral hygiene)?

Poor oral hygiene is seen to be socially unacceptable and can affect relationships with those around you at work and in your social circle. Bad breath (halitosis) can make it uncomfortable for other people wanting to talk to you and can even affect the enjoyment of kissing.⁶

Apart from having regular check-ups when should I see a dentist?

Visit a dentist if you have:

• A toothache – this may be caused by dental decay.
• Bleeding gums – this may be caused by gum disease. Some viral infections can also make gums inflamed.
• Dental trauma – a tooth may be loosened or knocked out. If a permanent tooth is knocked out, wrap it in plastic or place it in milk and seek dental advice immediately. It may be possible to put the tooth back.¹

Where do I go for more information?

• Your family dentist
• Local dental hospital

Sources:

1. Better Health Channel, Victorian Government (www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au)
2. MBF 2007 claims data (http://www.mbf.com.au/AboutMBF/Mediareleases/Deteriorating_dental_health.html)
3. BBC Health – UK (www.bbc.co.uk)
4. Circulation , Feb. 8, 2005; vol 111: pp 576-582. Gordon, D. The Oral Infections and Vascular Disease Epidemiology Study (INVEST)
5. ABC Health Matters (www.abc.net.au/health)
6. Oral B CrossAction Pro-Health Survey conducted by Pure Profile in April 2008