According to Australia’s Oral Health Tracker, released last week, more than 90 per cent of adults have experienced decay in their permanent teeth while only 51 per cent of adults are brushing their teeth twice a day.

Charles Sturt University’s dental and oral health clinic director Heather Cameron said the findings were a major concern. 

“If we go back 20 years, there was indication that there was an improvement in oral health. I now think we are going backwards, which is concerning,” she said.

“I think it’s a combination of things such as education with the general public about what they need to be doing to look after their teeth. 

“People tend to have busy lives and tend to not make brushing a healthy habit.” 

Ms Cameron said brushing helps remove plaque and provides much-needed fluoride from the toothpaste. 

She also said a change in people’s diet had contributed to more tooth decay.

“That’s where we are seeing the biggest impact. It’s about the frequency in snacking between meals,” she said.

“People need to reduce the amount of snacks between meals because that impacts the amount of decay they have. The more often they’re eating the more likely they are to suffer from tooth decay.” 

Ms Cameron said the long-term effects of poor dental and oral health were not good. “People end up in pain as a result of tooth decay, which has an impact on their lives,” she said.

“There’s a relationship between oral health and general health, such as things like diabetes and cardiac issues. People need to be looking after their dental health to look after their general health.”

Healthy brushing habits can be formed by brushing once in the morning and once before going to bed. 

“Take that extra two minutes to just do it,” Ms Cameron said.

If you are worried about your dental health, call CSU on 1300 278 642 for an appointment at its Albury, Bathurst, Dubbo, Orange or Wagga Wagga clinic.