Dental Health Week 7th - 13th August 2023
Good oral health is fundamental to overall health and wellbeing. Without it, a person’s general quality of life and the ability to eat, speak and socialise is compromised, resulting in toothache, discomfort and embarrassment.
Oral health refers to the condition of a person’s teeth and gums, as well as the health of the muscles and bones in their mouth. Poor oral health—mainly tooth decay, gum disease and tooth loss—affects many Australian children and adults.
According to ADA dental health reports in 2020, Australian oral health is getting worse, compared to 2018. Besides, Aging also affects our oral health.
The most common oral diseases affect the teeth (tooth decay, called ‘caries’) and gums (periodontal disease). Oral disease can destroy the tissues in the mouth, leading to lasting physical and psychological disability. Tooth loss can reduce the functionality of the mouth, making chewing and swallowing more challenging, which in turn can compromise nutrition. Poor nutrition can impair general health and exacerbate existing health conditions. Poor oral health is also associated with a number of chronic diseases, including stroke and cardiovascular disease. Poor oral health can also affect a person’s wellbeing. Dental disease can impair a person’s appearance and speech, eroding their self-esteem, which in turn can lead to restricted participation and performance at school, the workplace, home and other social settings.
During Dental Health Week AID Hit the streets to talk about Oral Health - the theme of this years OHW was ‘Mind Body and Mouth’. Hazel and Azra from the AID Marketing Team hit the streets to promote the importance of Oral Health within the Parramatta community.