There is no doubt that Australia is not a cheap place to live in, as the average weekly expenditure in the country is currently at around $2,200 for a household. This is little wonder it has been ranked as the country with the 16th highest cost of living worldwide. It even gets more serious when you put this factor into perspective with health and dental care in the country. Reports reveal that the cost for prescription drugs in Australia is almost four times more than what is obtainable in the global benchmark for such commodities.
Further study reports from the Australian Institute for Health and Welfare (AIHW) show that:
- More than half the population of residents in Australia who do not have dental health care insurance are shipping or delaying dental treatment because of its cost.
- A quarter of the total people (12.3 million) covered by dental insurance have also skipped or delayed an appointment with their dentist because of the extra out-of-pocket cost they will incur.
- About 58% of the people who schedule appointments with dentists in Australia do this because of an already developed dental problem. Only about 27% of these people visit the dentist for check-ups.
- About 39% (4 in every 10) of people aged 15 and above postpone or avoid scheduling a dentist appointment because of the cost involved.
All the above-listed figures point to one thing, and it is the fact that there is a need for some dental intervention in Australia. This could be either in the form of dental awareness creation, monetary and resource investments, etc. This is why professionals like the cosmetic dentist, Dr. Salem, advocate for more investment into health and dental care in Australia.
Top Reasons Why Dental Care is an Essential Investment in Good Health
If you are putting some money and effort into caring for your teeth, it will help to know that you are not just spending on your dental health. Instead, you are also investing in your overall health and general wellbeing. Here are some of the reasons why it is so:
Good dental health helps you to avoid cardiovascular diseases: research results over the years have shown that your oral hygiene and care can help to prevent cardiovascular disease, like clogged arteries, heart diseases, stroke, etc. This is because they can be linked to the infections and inflammation caused by oral bacteria when you do not adequately care for your mouth.
Good dental health can help to prevent pneumonia: it has been reported that some bacteria from your mouth can get into your lungs to cause pneumonia and other respiratory issues if you do not care for your teeth. This means that proper oral care can help you avoid such situations.
Good dental health can help boost your self-confidence: imagine walking into a space filled with people and not being able to smile or talk as freely as you would wish to because you are ashamed of certain defects in your teeth. This is often the case for people who do not ensure proper care for their teeth. On the other hand, caring for your teeth will give you the best set of teeth and smile, such that you can confidently walk into any public setting and not be afraid to smile.
Pregnancy and birth complications: reports have also revealed that dental issues like periodontitis can cause low birth weight and premature birth for pregnant women. This means that you must care for your teeth if you wish to avoid such situations as an expectant mother.
How to care for your oral health
The best dental investment you can make today is to ensure adequate care for your oral health. Here are some tips to help you:
– Ensure to brush your teeth with a soft-bristled brush at least two times daily.
– Use fluoride-based toothpaste for brushing your teeth.
– Ensure to floss once every day.
– Change your toothbrush at least once every four months, or anytime you notice that the bristles are beginning to wear.
– Reduce your intake of sugar and sugary foods
– Schedule an appointment with your dentist from time to time.
Conclusion
Dental care is an essential investment that could pay off in every aspect of your health and wellbeing. This article has considered why you should invest in your teeth today.
