Why it’s important to stay on top of your dental health year-round

Things might be happening in your mouth that you can’t feel or see, and many oral health problems are much easier to fix early on rather than waiting until the problem gets worse.

More often, South Australians are keeping their teeth for life, so it is even more important that we look after them.¹ To reduce the risk of losing teeth, it is important to have regular check-ups and hygiene visits with a dental professional.

Some of the key benefits of routine dental care include:

1. Assessment of oral and general health related problems
2. Management of current oral health problems
3. Prevention of future oral health conditions
4. Individual oral health and hygiene education

Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body

Your oral health and general health are connected. Bacteria in your mouth has been linked to conditions including heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, adverse pregnancy outcomes, lung conditions and inflammatory bowel disease.² Therefore, keeping up with routine dental visits is not only important for your oral health but also your overall health.

Regular dental appointments, along with good oral healthcare at home reduces the risk of more serious dental and oral problems developing. If any issues are identified, your dentist can address these quickly or refer you to a specialist before they progress into more serious problems.

'Dental problems can arise even without causing pain or discomfort. If left untreated, these can deteriorate quite quickly', says Dr Aaron Parker.

Dental examinations can also detect other health problems

During your dental visit, our qualified team of professionals will not only check your teeth, but also examine your mouth for other irregularities that may have gone unnoticed.

A dental visit can also reveal:

• Gum disease (gingivitis and periodontal disease)
• Oral cancer
• Teeth grinding and jaw problems
• Dry mouth
• Bite problems

Skipping dental appointments may not seem like a big deal, but oral health issues can develop and progress quickly. By keeping on top of your dental cleans and check-ups, you’re doing yourself a big favour in the long run.

'Even dental professionals need regular check-ups and hygiene visits to maintain their oral health, detect ‘silent’ disease, and prevent problems before they arise', says Dr Aaron Parker.

[1] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (December 2020)

[2] Australian Dental Association (August 2023)