Dental decay is the second most costly diet-related disease in Australia, with an economic impact comparable with heart disease and diabetes. Approximately $6.1 billion was spent on dental services in 2007-08, representing 6.2%1 of total health expenditure. Despite this effort, decay and periodontal diseases remain a major health problem. Oral health can no longer be ignored in designing overall national health strategies. It is essential to protect natural teeth from decay and periodontal disease and focus on early detection and prevention of these conditions. Evidence clearly demonstrates that these diseases are not just limited to the mouth, but importantly are linked to general health overall.

This document from 'Dental Health Services Victoria' outlines this very well and if you would like an insight into the state of Australia's oral health I encourage you to read this. Oral Health is very much linked to our overall body health and there are so many complications and diseases that stem from poor or negative oral health. At 1300SMILES we recognise that maintaining good oral is key to a good overall body health that's why we recommend at least two regular visits per year to your dentist. If you have diabetes, gastrointestinal problems, are pregnant, to name but a few then this document will help you asses your current level of oral health.

Read or download the document here.