5 benefits of a regular dental check

Regular visits to your dentist can help you avoid dental decay, fear of the dentist and even keep your heart healthy.

If you keep moving ‘book a dentist appointment’ further down your to-do list, you’re not alone. Recent research shows only 48% of Aussies have had a dental check in the past 12 months, so if you’re due for a check-up and clean, or you have a niggling dental issue, book in for an appointment. Seeing your dentist regularly is an important preventive health check and can stop a wide range of health issues from developing.

1. Dental prevention is part of good health

It’s easy to think of a dental check-up as something you only do when you have a noticeable dental issue, but studies have found regular check-ups are the key to improved dental health, less tooth loss and dental decay.

In Australia, it’s estimated around 32% of adults have untreated tooth decay, and 11% of children aged six to 14 have at least one permanent tooth with untreated decay. Scheduling regular dental check-ups could prevent these numbers rising further.

It’s not just Australia that needs to focus on dental health. The World Health Organization estimates around 3.5 billion people worldwide are affected by oral disease.

2. Check-ups can detect other health issues

Visiting the dentist for regular check-ups and cleans helps you stay on top of plaque build-up that can lead to gum disease, tooth decay and even tooth loss. But your dentist can also help you with any related issues, like headaches from teeth grinding, teeth whitening or straightening, receding gums or other undetected issues.

Oral health can also be a window to your overall health, so regular dental visits can help you stay healthy by reducing the risk of other lifestyle diseases.

• Studies have linked periodontal disease (infections and inflammation of the gums and bone that surround and support the teeth) with rheumatoid arthritis.
• Gum disease is associated with an increased risk of developing heart disease.
• Poor oral health, including tooth loss, cavities and periodontal disease, has been linked to an increased risk of the development of cognitive impairment (dementia) and stroke.
• Dentists can also screen for oral cancer of the head and neck as well as inside the mouth during dental check-ups.

If you’re pregnant, it’s extra important to schedule in regular dental check-ups as pregnancy may make women more prone to gum disease and cavities.

To keep your smile healthy, HCF dentist Dr Chris Ho recommends seeing a dentist every six months, unless there’s a particular issue you’re worried about. “The key factors here are any sort of pain and swelling, any issues with your day-to-day life, including with eating and drinking, any sharp or rough bits on your teeth, or if you can see something's broken,” he explains.

It’s best to book in advance, he adds, to get those appointments locked in for yourself and for the whole family. That way you’re more likely to create a regular habit and get the most out of your health cover.

3. You can conquer your fear of the dentist

Around one in seven Aussies are scared of visiting the dentist. Traditionally it was assumed that anxiety about pain had been the most common fear when it came to getting a check-up, however a new study suggests for many Aussies the fear may be the “unknown factor”, as well as the “psychological and emotional factors of control, shame and trust” that create hesitation.

“There is a general perception that ‘going to the dentist hurts’ but I think the main issue is that we need to, in a way, invade people’s personal space to do our job. And for many people, that’s uncomfortable,” says Dr Ho.

To reduce your anxiety, try these recommendations.

• Ask your friends for dentist recommendations and check with the dental reception about which dentist is best with nervous patients.
• Be open and honest with your dentist. “It’s really important to speak to the dentist and explain your feelings upfront, because that way, with the clinician, you can work together to make each visit as relaxed as possible,” says Dr Gabriel Hajjar, HCF Dental Centre Network Clinical Manager. “For this reason it's important to find the right dentist and to establish a rapport with them.”
• Prepare with some calming strategies. For those suffering from acute dental anxiety, Dr Hajjar recommends breathing and relaxation techniques, listening to music with headphones and taking a step-by-step approach with your dentist.

“Dentistry has come a long way,” adds Dr Hajjar. “We now have updated materials and new techniques in place, so it’s a much more pleasant environment these days.”

4. Family dental checks build good habits

When it comes to children and dental checks, both Dr Ho and Dr Hajjar agree the earlier your child has their first dentist visit, the better, especially as Australian children aged five to nine have the highest rate of potentially preventable hospitalisations due to dental conditions.

“Generally, a good gauge is when the first teeth appear in the mouth or by the age of one. Certainly, by two years of age, most children should have had their first dental visit,” says Dr Hajjar. “It's important to detect tooth decay early, see that the teeth are developing correctly and advice can be given to the parent about how to clean them. Advice can also be provided on tooth-friendly food and drinks and what to expect as the child’s mouth continues to develop.”

An early start to dental appointments can also help make sure your child gets used to the dentist environment and they have positive experiences to build on, he adds.

This is important as research has confirmed that a fear of the dentist is passed on to children by their parents.

Early education, positive interactions and calm parents can help avoid dental anxiety, says Dr Hajjar. “From a child's point of view, a main factor is the unknown environment, so the earlier they get used to the dentist office, the less of a shock it becomes,” he says.

We understand you may be feeling anxious or uncertain about a trip to the dentist, so we welcome you to come and visit one of our Dental Centres without any obligation to get treated.

5. You’ll make the most of your dental extras cover

For many people, cost can be an overwhelming factor when it comes to making a booking for a dental check. A 2019 report even found that just over two million Aussies (18%) who needed to see the dentist in the previous 12 months had delayed or skipped their visit due to cost.

We know dental treatment plans can sound complicated and confusing. That’s why we give clear treatment explanations and costs up front so you can make an informed decision when you visit our Dental Centres.

“Unfortunately, affordability is a factor for many Australians,” confirms Dr Ho. “It can be a very real reason that dental checks are forgotten.”

The dental care you need, at a price you can afford

As a not-for-profit health fund, we believe in making high-quality dentistry accessible to more Aussies and aim to keep prices competitive and affordable. Our dedicated HCF Dental Centres invest in state-of-the-art technology, so we can offer effective, precise dental procedures.

If you can’t get to one of our HCF Dental Centres, our network of HCF More for Teeth providers means you can find a provider that’s convenient for you and get 100% back on some of the most common diagnostic and preventive services, like one or two check-ups per calendar year, scale and clean and fluoride treatment (depending on your cover, and subject to your annual limits), helping you and your family stay healthy and smiling. Waiting periods may apply.

To find a More for Teeth provider local to you, log in to online member services and go to ‘find a health professional’ or call us on 13 13 34.

Words by Lucy E Cousins
First published December 2022