Dental Health Week is a major annual oral health campaign, and this year, Dental Health Week will be on 3 – 9 August.

This campaign aims to educate Australians about the importance of maintaining good oral health by promoting four key messages:

• Brushing at least two times every day with a fluoride-containing toothpaste.
• Cleaning between your teeth daily using floss or interdental brushes.
• Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet and limiting sugary and acidic intake.
• Visiting the dentist regularly for check-ups and preventive care.

The main focus of this year’s campaign is on the dangers sugar does to one’s oral health, aiming to help Australians to ‘get sugar savvy’.

This includes recommended daily sugar consumption levels, advice on checking food labels, and spells out the effect sugar has on our teeth.

This information is supported by three main sugar messages:

• Avoid consuming foods and beverages with added sugars.
• Opt for foods with less than 10g of sugar per 100g.
• Look out for hidden sugars when buying foods and drinks.

These important messages will be reinforced through the tagline: ‘How much sugar is hiding in your trolley?’, which draws on the concept of hidden sugars and checking food labels to make healthy choices.

Making healthy choices at the supermarket means making similar smart food and drink choices at home.

Refusing to buy an unhealthy item in the supermarket means you don’t have to continue saying ‘no’ at home.

Tempting as it is to think that everyone is practising good oral health, the reality is, the oral health of many Australians is not near where it should be.

• Less than 50% of Australian adults have had a dental check-up in the last 12 months.
• 53% of Australians brush their teeth only once a day.
• Nearly 40% of Australians never floss or clean between their teeth.
• 73% of young people are consuming too much sugar.
• 47% of adults are consuming too much sugar.

There are several ways to access sugar information as part of Dental Health Week this year.

A visit to your trusted Port Macquarie dentist is great for one-on-one advice where your questions can be answered.

Port Macquarie Dental Centre Cares!

Port Macquarie Dental Centre is small inviting practice conveniently located at 38 Buller Street, Port Macquarie.

We are close to the town centre, but far enough away to avoid hustle, bustle, or overcrowding.

We also offer onsite car parking for your convenience. Also, for your convenience, we offer weekday hours until 6 pm.

Our focus is on prevention of dental issues and creating a healthy mouth that supports dental and general health.

Same-Day Dental Emergency Appointment Available in Port Macquarie

Call us on (02) 6583 1711 or request your appointment online.

We are located at 38 Buller St in Port Macquarie.