Poor oral health is burdening the health system, according to the Australian Dental Association, which is encouraging Tasmanians to take simple steps to help improve outcomes.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In Australia 73 per cent of young people consume too much sugar, while 65 per cent of adults haven't seen a dentist in the past two years.
Chairman of the ADA Tasmania branch's Oral Health Working Group Dr Girish Sasidharan said addressing these issues could make a big difference.
"Oral health, the mouth is part of the body and is related to all other systems. So there is a very strong relationship with oral health, to systemic diseases like diabetes, cardiac illnesses, renal diseases and arthritis," he said.
"It all comes back to how the lack of oral health is burdening the healthcare system.
"All the systemic issues that are eventually treated at the hospital, could have been prevented by taking better care or your teeth."
In other news:
- National Missing Persons Week: Profiling missing Tasmanians
- In their rebuilt Land Cruiser BJ40, Emily and Euan are ready to hit the open road and go off-grid
- Mowbray Medical's Dr Jane Hampson named RACGP Tasmanian GP Supervisor of 2019
- Tassie Scallop Fiesta returns to Bridport: photos from the August 4 event
As part of Dental Health Week, the ADA is asking people how their oral health is tracking, alongside the key messages of: brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste; clean between the teeth with floss; eat a balanced diet and limit sugar; and visit a dentist regularly.
With dental decay one of the leading causes of preventable hospitalisations, Dr Sasidharan said early intervention was key.
"Cost is one of the main barriers to accessing oral health. But when you look at it, the preventative strategies we are interested in are really cheap," he said.
"Obviously the dental treatments could be expensive, but if you take the preventative steps you might never require them."
As part of Dental Health Week, ADA Tasmania will host an oral health information stall at the All About Babies event Sunday, August 11. More information can be found here.
For more details on DHW events visit ada.org.au.