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Oral health
Our dental needs have changed significantly over the last 30 years. These days more older Australians are retaining their natural teeth.
But tooth decay is still the most common health condition in Australia.
Tooth loss is not an inevitable part of ageing. Today, treatment concentrates on prevention of dental disease. This means that you can keep your teeth for life, and they no longer need to have large unsightly fillings.
Tips on how to maintain your dental health:
- Visit your dentist at recommended intervals that suit your dental condition and age, to screen for dental disease and more serious diseases of the mouth.
- Tell your dentist about any general health problems and any medication you are taking as this may affect your dental health and treatment.
- Brush you teeth at least twice a day, especially after meals and use dental floss between the teeth to remove plaque which causes gum disease.
- In addition to using a fluoride toothpaste, your dentist may be able to recommend a special toothpaste for sensitive areas on your teeth.
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet and avoid sweet food and drink between meals.
- If you have full dentures, clean your mouth and dentures thoroughly each day and have both checked by your dentist every few years.
Dental care services
Medicare will cover a rebate for services provided by some allied health professionals and dentists as part of a General Practitioner (GP) care plan for treatment of a complex condition. Complex conditions can include diabetes, heart disease, asthma, cancer and kidney disease, or one or more of a whole range of illnesses. In addition, the conditions must be present, or are likely to be present for at least six months. Sometimes health care for these conditions can include appropriate dental treatment.
Qualifying allied care health professionals such as Aboriginal health workers, audiologists, dentists, dietitians, mental health workers, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, podiatrists, chiropractors, osteopaths, psychologists and speech pathologists. Ask your doctor for information on access to these services.
Dental care for people in aged care
If you’re living in an aged care home, the home should help maintain your oral and dental health. But you are responsible for paying for any dental services.
