Whilst our doctors are obviously not dentists, oral health is an area of equal concern to us as GPs, as it is fundamental to overall health, wellbeing and quality of life. As well as enabling people to eat, speak and socialise without discomfort or embarrassment, a healthy mouth is also pivotal to a healthy body, as there are very strong links between poor oral health and higher levels of cardiovascular disease, not to mention a generally less favourable diet if one is not able to comfortably chew through foods in their more naturally occurring form.

Tooth Decay:
Plaque, a film of bacteria, is constantly forming on teeth. When in contact with sugar from food & drink, the bacteria in plaque produce acids that attack tooth enamel – the hard, outer layer of teeth – causing the enamel to break down over time. This gradual destruction is what is known as tooth decay and this affects both children and adults alike.

Dental Caries:
Cavities that form due to advanced tooth decay are known as dental caries. This is the most common form of oral disease.

Unfortunately, Dental caries make up the second most costly and preventable diet-related disease in Australia after cardiovascular disease, with 63,000 Australians hospitalised each year. Despite the often avoidable nature of oral disease, it seems our teeth are often neglected or only attended to when something goes terribly wrong.