The Australian Dental Association (ADA) is urging people to brush up on their oral care to reduce the chances of more serious health issues emerging from neglected oral health.
1 in 4 people (75%) surveyed rarely or never flossing and one in five of us only brushing teeth once a day.
This disturbing data from the ADA’s annual Consumer Survey of 25,000 Aussies’ oral habits, has been released for Dental Health Week (DHW) which runs August 7-13.
Every Australian should be flossing once a day and brushing twice a day – while doing both takes just six minutes a day, it’s a lifetime investment in your whole-of-body health, the theme for this year’s DHW campaign.
Failing to floss and brush regularly puts many Aussies on a fast track to poor oral health which if left untreated, contributes to serious whole of body conditions.
“It’s good to see more people are brushing the recommended twice a day though it’s not just a matter of standing at the basin and moving your hand around in your mouth while thinking about something else,” ADA’s Oral Health Promoter and Sydney dentist Dr Janani Ravichandran said.
“Countless studies have shown that what happens in the mouth doesn’t stay in the mouth – neglected oral health can affect the rest of the body with serious cardiovascular events, Type 2 Diabetes and Alzheimer’s all potential outcomes.”
More: teeth.org.au
